The Buster Mac’s Food Truck is a family affair. Clara Valentino and her father, Rocco Valentino, started their business serving gourmet burgers, shakes and fries to central Ohio in October 2015.
Buster Mac’s, which utilizes the Commissary, has seven gourmet burgers on its menu: five beef-based burgers (including one topped with a hot dog), one salmon burger and a vegetarian burger made from smoked cheddar and lentils. If there’s a standout among this distinguished group though, it’s likely the Four Cheese Burger, and for good reason.
Photo courtesy of Buster Mac's Food Truck
The burger gets its name from the Amish Swiss, Amish cheddar, goat and Romano cheeses that top the locally sourced 1/3-pound beef patty. Kale, onion and tomato also manage to find some space between the brioche bun, and diners have the choice to top it all off with bacon or a fried egg if they desire.
Rocco, who serves as the executive chef for the food truck and crafted the recipe, believes there are two key factors behind this burger’s succulent success.
“The goat cheese is really what makes it, and the Romano adds a nice rustic look and salty flavor,” he says.
Clara agrees, adding that customers frequently compliment the goat cheese, especially.
No burger experience is complete without a side and drink, and Buster Mac’s recommends pairing the Four Cheese with the shake of your choice, such as the seasonal Reese’s Cup Cheesecake shake, as well as its sea salt “Perfect Hand Cut Fries.”
Bob Valasek is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at hbealer@cityscenecolumbus.com.
Recipe:
- 1/3 lb. beef patty (locally sourced from A‘MAYS’ing Meats in Johnstown)
- 1 oz. goat cheese
- 1 oz. Amish cheddar cheese
- 1 oz. Amish Swiss cheese
- 1 oz. romano cheese
- 1 oz. kale
- 1 tomato slice
- 2 onion slices
- Bacon (cater amount to personal taste)
- 1 fried egg
- 4 ½-inch sliced brioche bun
Cook the beef patty on the grill to desired level. Most Buster Mac’s Food Truck customers like their burgers well done. Add cheddar, Swiss and goat cheeses, allowing them to melt for about one minute. Then, add the brioche bun with kale, tomato and onion. Top with Romano cheese and close the bun.
Want to pay a visit to Buster Mac’s Food Truck when it visits the Tri-Village area?
- 6:30-8 p.m., June 7, Grandview Heights Public Library, 1685 W. First Ave.
- 11 a.m.-2 p.m., June 23, 2323 W. Fifth Ave.
