When it comes to Pulp Fiction, one thing stands out to me as particularly compelling: the role of hamburgers in the film.

To many viewers, hamburgers might seem like a simple, even insignificant, detail in the Pulp Fiction. But to a subtext-loving weirdo like me, the hamburgers serve as a powerful symbols, representing the character's desires, values, and even their place in the world.

No, I'm not messing with you.

3 Burgers. 3 Wild Pulp Fiction Characters

For instance, the Big Kahuna Burger that Jules Winnfield (played by Samuel L. Jackson) devours while menacing some low-level drug dealers represents his larger-than-life personality and his status as a tough guy.

The Royale with Cheese that Vincent Vega (played by John Travolta) and Jules dicuss while driving through L.A. highlights their attempt for normalcy and connection within their forced partnership as gangsters.

And the bloody burger that Mia orders showcases her bold, rebellious nature, even as she lives a caged existence as the wife of the movie's big baddie.

In short, hamburgers are an integral part of the fabric of Pulp Fiction, and they serve as a key element in the film's portrayal of its characters and themes. So the next time you watch Pulp Fiction, be sure to pay attention to the burgers - they may be more significant than you think.

Now let's talk about the Pulp Fiction Hamburgers.

The Royale with Cheese

Gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for. This bad boy has all the features of the famous quarter pounder. But beware, it's better. It's a Royale with Cheese, the kind of burger that can only be found in the seedy brain of Vega's longing imagination, with a recipe straight from Amsterdam.

The Royale with Cheese is a mythical beast, hard to pin down but known to traverse LA in the backseat of a 1964 Chevy Malibu SS while waiting to be consumed with gusto, paired inevitably with some mayo fries. Heading cross-town on some business? Prepare to chow down on one of the greasiest, most delicious burgers you'll ever taste. Just be sure to bring a defibrillator, because RWC is bound to give you a heart attack - in the best way possible.

Make the Royale with cheese

Ingredients:

  • 1 all-beef patty
  • 2 slices American cheese
  • Lettuce, tomato, and special sauce to taste
  • Hamburger bun

Instructions:

  1. Preheat a grill or stovetop griddle to medium-high heat.
  2. Form the all-beef patty into a patty that is slightly larger than the hamburger bun.
  3. Place the patty on the grill or griddle and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until it is cooked to your desired level of doneness.
  4. During the last minute of cooking, place the American cheese slices on top of the patty to melt.
  5. Assemble the hamburger by placing the patty on the bottom bun, followed by the lettuce, tomato, and special sauce. Top with the other half of the bun.
  6. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Note: You can also add any other toppings you like, such as onions, pickles, or bacon. Just be sure to keep it true to the Pulp Fiction style and go easy on the ketchup - your don't want your burger blowing up and covering the guy in the back seat.

The Durwood Kirby Burger

And now, ladies and gentlemen, we bring you the most iconic forgotten hamburger in cinematic history: the one and only Durwood Kirby burger eaten by Uma Thurman's character, Mia Wallace, in Pulp Fiction. This bloody burger might be a bit player in Pulp Fiction, but it's a worthy side kick to the world's most expensive milkshake (at least in 1994).

But what really sets this meal apart is the way it's eaten - with a side of seduction, as Mia tantalizes her dinner companion with a sultry glance and a sly smile.

It's one of those burgers that comes with risk and danger– go ahead and sink your teeth into this juicy masterpiece, just be warned: you may need a two-ply napkin (or a cold shower) after devouring this sensual burger. Just make sure to keep the adrenaline needle close buy for the afterparty. And no foot rubs under the dinner table, please.

Ingredients:

  • 1 white onion, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • Olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
  • Salt, to taste
  • Hamburger buns with sesame seeds
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • Fresh basil, to taste
  • Salt, to taste
  • Iceberg lettuce, pickled cucumber, red onion, and cherry tomatoes, for toppings

Instructions:

  1. Heat a small amount of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and fry until they are softened and fragrant.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix together the ground beef, Dijon mustard, cilantro, fried onions and garlic, and salt. Form the mixture into patties.
  3. Preheat the oven, griddle, or toaster to warm the hamburger buns.
  4. Heat a small amount of olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the sliced red onion and garlic and fry until they are softened.
  5. Add the tomato paste, fresh basil, and salt to the pan and stir to combine. Cook for about 4 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
  6. Grill the hamburger patties over medium heat until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness. For Mia style, leave it quite rare.
  7. Assemble the hamburgers by placing the grilled patties on the bottom buns, followed by the toppings of your choice. Spread a spoonful of the sauce over the top half of the buns and close the hamburgers.
  8. Serve immediately and enjoy!

The Big Kahuna Burger Battle.

Challenger: In n' Out Burger.

Gentlemen, we present to you the ultimate fast food showdown: the Big Kahuna Hamburger from Pulp Fiction vs. the In-N-Out Burger.

On one side, we have the Big Kahuna, the one and only that Samuel L. Jackson's character, Jules Winnfield, devours in Pulp Fiction. So what if it's "borrowed" from an soon-to-be-dead underling? This burger is stacked high with all the fixings, including a juicy patty, gooey cheese, crisp lettuce, and ripe tomatoes.

On the other side, we have the In-N-Out Burger, a West Coast classic known for its fresh, never-frozen beef and secret sauce. But which burger will come out on top?

It's a tough call, but one thing is for sure: both of these burgers are sure to satisfy your cravings (and maybe give you a food coma). But only one can be the true champion of Socal. So grab a napkin and dig in - it's time to crown the winner.

This is an experiental thing. You crown the winner. Let me know who the champion ends up being.

Ingredients:

  • 2 all-beef patties
  • 4 slices American cheese
  • 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
  • Lettuce, tomato, and special sauce to taste
  • Hamburger buns
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Instructions:

  1. Preheat a grill or stovetop griddle to medium-high heat.
  2. Form the all-beef patties into patties that are slightly larger than the hamburger buns.
  3. Place the patties on the grill or griddle and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
  4. During the last minute of cooking, place the American cheese slices on top of the patties to melt.
  5. In a small saucepan, combine the pineapple juice, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Cook over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has thickened into a glaze.
  6. Assemble the hamburger by placing one patty on the bottom bun, followed by the lettuce, tomato, pineapple chunks, and special sauce. Brush the special glaze over the top of the pineapple. Top with another patty and the other half of the bun.
  7. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Note: This recipe makes one Big Kahuna Burger with pineapple and special glaze, but you can easily scale it up to make as many as you like. You don't want to be caught with your pants down if Marcellus, The Wolf, and Bruce Willis show up to the bbq.

In films, details matter!

Hamburgers play a significant role in the film Pulp Fiction. They serve as a symbol of the characters' desire for normalcy and familiarity in a world filled with chaos and violence.

The act of eating a hamburger often serves as a fulcrum-like pause from the subtly- intense narrative. The recurrence of hamburgers throughout the film underscores their importance as a symbol of comfort and humanity in a world that often lacks both.

But luckily, we can enjoy the burgers from Pulp Fiction without worrying about all that.

The link has been copied!