Today I am bringing you Esmeralda Guerrero, aka: thedeathkid, and she is having a grand time hunting down every mouthwatering cheeseburger joint in San Antonio and other cities in Texas. By the looks of her blog, Double Cheese Blogger, she has located some pretty trendy spots in order to try out their menus. Many of them have Southwestern flair and the portions are huge. That’s right … it’s Texas style.
Hello Esmeralda, I think your name is very romantic, it reminds me of the western movies I would watch as a kid, and it is so pretty. Is it also a family name? Do you have a nickname?
I’m the first Esmeralda in my family but I do hope it stays in the family. I love making people roll their Rs, gives a little flavor to the day. However, I suppose it’s a bit too many syllables for most people so I have quite a few nicknames: Es, Esmer, Melda, Mel, Smel (affectionately).
Which university or college did you attend and what was your major? I see you are a recent graduate so congratulations are in order.
Thank you! I am now an Alum of Texas State University. Go Bobcats! My degree is a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Minor in English.
How did you come to be writing about this journey to find delicious burgers? What happened to influence you to write reviews about these types of eateries? Do you think you may have found your journalistic niche?
Burgers have always been my go-to comfort and celebration food. For forever if you asked me what I feel like eating, nine out of ten times it’ll be a cheeseburger. My awesome friend, Daniel, actually suggested the idea of a blog and I thought he was joking, so I said “doublecheeseblogger” and from there the journey began. It’s so much fun and I can remember almost every burger journey, good and bad. As far as my niche, I definitely have a lot of fun writing about food and can see this blog going more places, as well as my writing.
On your blog today, you featured, Gourmet Burger Grill, and their Macaroni & Cheese Wedges. Please describe, if you can, exactly what it tastes like and how it feels in your mouth? I never heard of this side dish before and wonder how it is made and about the fried flavor. The photograph made me want to order some.
Those macaroni wedges were amazing. The nostalgia of your perfect bowl of macaroni and cheese compacted in the crisp batter were a delicious medley. Chef Davis’ concoction was creamy, cheesy goodness I honestly could not stop inhaling their aroma.
At the Smash Burger, I loved how they piled the onion straw/rings on top. Their fries look pretty, too. Another eatery you highlighted is Crave Burger, and the cute attendant behind the counter. I bet he helps pull in lots of customers. I guess I’d order tater tots, even if I didn’t want any. Is this one of your favorite places?
Ha-ha, the burger attendant was pretty handsome, but my main focus on these burger ventures is the burger. The love I have for the burger trumps any silly boy’s smile. Usually on these ventures we try to get as much of a taste of the place as possible in one visit, so my comrade and I often do a tossup between fries and onion rings/tater tots/etc.
Do you like to cook? I saw you had a write-up about burger cupcakes. They are so cute. Have you tried baking these? If you don’t cook, are you interested in learning? There are great choices right here on Half Hour Meals.
I love baking and college away from mom has taught me, through some rough trial and error, to make some decent meals. I actually am a pretty big fan of Half Hour Meals, the convenience and usual ease of the dishes would have made college less ramen and more gourmet! My favorite recipes on the site are actually the pastries!
Do you think you will continue this direction of writing? Perhaps write for the Food Section of your city newspaper? Do you think you will continue blogging about burgers or take it up another level and try out fine dining?
I’d actually really love to try and write for the Current in San Antonio. The food in this city is so delicious. I think it’d be great to get some recognition for all the amazing chefs here. I have played with the idea of maybe moving on to pizza or even Chinese cuisine, and then I remember all I want to eat for the most part is a good down home cheeseburger. I suppose part of my love for the burger stems from its Americana pulse.
Have you decided on a professional job or career yet? What are some of your goals over the next year, and tell us a little about what college grads do these days to keep them interested and creative. Do you like music, art, dance and movies?
My plans sometimes overwhelm and scare me, so right now I’m trying to choose a path that best fits me. There are a lot of things I’d like to conquer finally, such as the Spanish language, playing guitar, and writing for myself instead of for a professor. I’ve recently put in an application to “Big Brothers and Sisters”, in an attempt to give back to the community that has given me so very much. Career wise, I want an opportunity to help people and make a difference. Finding that spot for me right now is a bit of a process.
You can tell me … is the cheeseburger bicycle bell yours or is it something on your wish list? It is adorable! And what about the comfy cheeseburger bed? Do you have one?
Unfortunately the bicycle bell and hamburger bed are not in my extensive collection of burgerbilia. I do have some awesome cheeseburger shirts, a very cool cheeseburger hat, a CD case, and a cheeseburger handwarmer mouse pad. And when reviewing that list right now I realized I’m a cheese ball.
I visited your blog months ago, and I have to say out of all the places you reviewed, I would have to go with the shot of Carl’s Jr. Cheeseburger, because the photograph is perfect. Now, if we could make it taste as delicious as the one from Smash Burger, with those onion rings … and of course the root beer float, too. (laughs) But that isn’t where it all began. Tell us about The Malt House and what it means to you.
The Malt House is one of the places my dad always used to take us for an afterschool snack. When he passed away I found I felt the closest to him in those places where we had all spent time together, laughing and eating. My dad definitely made every day count, and he enjoyed all the flavors of life. He was always reporting new restaurants and hole-in-the-wall taco/burger/pizza/whatever stand that had the best something or other. As cheesy (pardon the pun) as it is, all these burger adventures are something I think we would have done together and he would have loved every bite of it.
What flavored condiments do you use in the kitchen or at the dining table? Are you into the barbecue sauces and hot salsas and hot peppers?
Be adventurous! This sometimes hurts me, but I try and use salsa and sirracha. Still trying to develop the iron tongue some people have. Two things I will almost always reach for if they’re in the vicinity though: lime and cilantro. Absolutely perfect pair. BBQ burgers are great, but I try to keep a variety going.
When did you decide to join Half Hour Meals? I know Daniel or Oscar invited you because as far as I know, they also love, love, love, your blog, and all those burgers you eat and then highlight. Aren’t you glad you listened to them?
Absolutely. I’m afraid my Cheerios, ramen, peanut butter and jelly diet was becoming a desperate lifestyle.
What is your favorite feature about our site? Have you tried any of the member recipes yet?
I really like that I can skim through and save recipes, so when I need them I’ve got a nice recipe cache to go to. I’ve tried a few recipes and really liked the simplicity and flexibility of them. I really need to send all the people who are posting recipes a picture of my full belly as thank you cards…or maybe not.
Would you recommend your friends to visit and signup?
I’ve already informed all my college buds of the necessity of this site in their lives. I mean it … college does not need to be four years of ramen and hotpockets!
*Esmeralda, I want to thank you for taking your time to be a featured member on Food For Thought @ Half Hour Meals, and for allowing us the pleasure of getting to know you a bit more. If ever you have any questions we can always offer help from our kitchen to yours.
Everyone please be sure to check out Esmeralda’s profile today.
