# Ball Park Beef Patties **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 21, 2014, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269 "2014-06-21T04:26:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/1 "2014-06-21T04:26:04Z")
Anybody tried these yet? What’s the verdict? I like the idea, and I really don’t expect them to be a gourmet burger. The ability to just throw a patty in the microwave and have it come out halfway decent would be nice on occasion. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/2 "2014-06-21T08:03:08Z")
I saw them at Costco a couple of weeks ago, but I haven’t sampled them yet. I’m mostly interested in finding out if they plump when you cook 'em (or, you know, what’s the point of naming them “Ball Park”?)… ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/3 "2014-06-21T08:43:39Z")
I picked up a pack a few months ago when the store I work at had them on sale for dirt cheap. If you want a pre-cooked burger patty, you could certainly do worse, but you’re better off just buying some raw hamburger and cooking it on your stovetop. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/4 "2014-06-21T16:00:24Z")
I think I _might_ have noticed part of a commercial for them once, but I don’t remember. There might have been a charcoal grill involved. Other than that possible notice, this is the first Ive heard of them. > [@Smapti](#): > > If you want a pre-cooked burger patty, you could certainly do worse, but you’re better off just buying some raw hamburger and cooking it on your stovetop. If I want a patty I can pull out of the freezer and cook in the microwave oven, it will be a Boca Burger. If I want a hamburger (or hamburger sandwich, since we rarely have buns), I use ground beef and cook it on the stove. I tend to buy ground beef four or five pounds at a time, weigh them into 16 ounce portions, put the portions in fold-top plastic bags, and put the parcels into a one-gallon zip-top bag. I do have one bag of 4 ounce portions that will be easy to thaw and cook. So there’s no need to pay a premium for pre-made patties that in all likelihood won’t be as good. My dad used to buy Minute Steak or Minit Steak when I was young. I recall it being a brand, but I can only find it as a generic term by googling. These were thin slices of beef, separated by a (waxed?) paper barrier, and contained within – I think – a plastic wrapper. We used them for sandwiches. Though they did appear in the freezer, we usually used cube steak for sandwiches. It seems to me that it makes little sense to buy pre-made, pre-cooked ground beef patties or thin slices of uncooked beef when it’s less expensive, requires barely more effort, and yields better results if you just use ground beef or cube steak or thinly-sliced steaks. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/5 "2014-06-21T16:27:16Z")
A couple of minutes in the microwave, no cleanup, reasonable quality versus higher quality, more work and lower price. It is an easy choice, especially when I’m the only one eating. ---
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/6 "2014-06-21T17:31:03Z")
At the HEB we frequently buy pre cooked frozen hamberger patties and they’re excellent! They come in several types: cheese, jalapeño, extra thick, extra lean, and junior. Sure, freshly cooked is better, but you can’t beat 2 minutes in the microwave and no extra dishes to clean! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/7 "2014-06-21T18:00:47Z")
> [@tim-n-va](#): > > A couple of minutes in the microwave, no cleanup, reasonable quality versus higher quality, more work and lower price. It is an easy choice, especially when I’m the only one eating. > [@PurpleClogs](#): > > Sure, freshly cooked is better, but you can’t beat 2 minutes in the microwave and no extra dishes to clean! I usually cook them in a non-stick pan, so clean-up is a breeze. If I cook them in a cast iron frying pan, I’m accomplishing two things: I’m making something tasty, and I’m adding seasoning to the pan. For me it’s an easy choice. A better, cheaper burger that only takes a few minutes longer than microwaving, and effortless cleanup. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/8 "2014-06-21T18:11:03Z")
I like them. ---
**Author:** ![adhemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@adhemar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adhemar)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/9 "2014-06-21T20:04:58Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I think I _might_ My dad used to buy Minute Steak or Minit Steak when I was young. I recall it being a brand, but I can only find it as a generic term by googling. These were thin slices of beef, separated by a (waxed?) paper barrier, and contained within – I think – a plastic wrapper. We used them for sandwiches. Though they did appear in the freezer, we usually used cube steak for sandwiches. > > . This sounds more like Steak-ums. ---
**Author:** ![Belowjob2.0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Belowjob2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belowjob2.0)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/10 "2014-06-21T20:11:47Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I think I _might_ have noticed part of a commercial for them once, but I don’t remember. There might have been a charcoal grill involved. Other than that possible notice, this is the first Ive heard of them. > If I want a patty I can pull out of the freezer and cook in the microwave oven, it will be a Boca Burger. If I want a hamburger (or hamburger sandwich, since we rarely have buns), I use ground beef and cook it on the stove. I tend to buy ground beef four or five pounds at a time, weigh them into 16 ounce portions, put the portions in fold-top plastic bags, and put the parcels into a one-gallon zip-top bag. I do have one bag of 4 ounce portions that will be easy to thaw and cook. So there’s no need to pay a premium for pre-made patties that in all likelihood won’t be as good. > > My dad used to buy Minute Steak or Minit Steak when I was young. I recall it being a brand, but I can only find it as a generic term by googling. These were thin slices of beef, separated by a (waxed?) paper barrier, and contained within – I think – a plastic wrapper. We used them for sandwiches. Though they did appear in the freezer, we usually used cube steak for sandwiches. > > It seems to me that it makes little sense to buy pre-made, pre-cooked ground beef patties or thin slices of uncooked beef when it’s less expensive, requires barely more effort, and yields better results if you just use ground beef or cube steak or thinly-sliced steaks. [Steak-Ums!](http://www.steakumm.com/) Loved these when I was a kid. No longer eat them, [because…](http://philadelphia.grubstreet.com/2012/04/what-is-really-in-steak-umms.html) ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/11 "2014-06-21T22:19:59Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > It seems to me that it makes little sense to buy pre-made, pre-cooked ground beef patties or thin slices of uncooked beef when it’s less expensive, requires barely more effort, and yields better results if you just use ground beef or cube steak or thinly-sliced steaks. I’m thinking they might be good as a work food, where there are time constraints, and only a microwave. That is, if they taste good. If not, forget it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/12 "2014-06-21T22:37:23Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#): > > Loved these when I was a kid. No longer eat them, [because…](http://philadelphia.grubstreet.com/2012/04/what-is-really-in-steak-umms.html) Eh. People eat at Arby’s, and that’s essentially the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![donkeyoatey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@donkeyoatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donkeyoatey)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/13 "2014-06-21T22:47:24Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I usually cook them in a non-stick pan, so clean-up is a breeze. If I cook them in a cast iron frying pan, I’m accomplishing two things: I’m making something tasty, and I’m adding seasoning to the pan. 😕 Nothing tasty in a non-stick pan and you can’t add seasoning? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/14 "2014-06-21T23:00:24Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Eh. People eat at Arby’s, and that’s essentially the same thing. Actually, it’s only about 30% “meat paste”(plus water, salt, etc), the rest is chunks of beef. Doesn’t sound much better. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Apocalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Apocalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apocalypso)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2014, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/15 "2014-06-21T23:15:41Z")
I’ve not had the Ball Park ones specifically, but have a box of some other brand in my freezer right now. The advantage of frozen burgers for me is that they’re considerably cheaper than fresh ground meat. The disadvantage is that they’re not that good. To me they’re basically cheap food that keeps for a long time, that we only eat when we’re low on cash. They do make decent frozen burgers, but they’re more expensive, and if I am going to spend more money I’ll just buy fresh ground meat and use that. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/16 "2014-06-22T01:41:10Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#): > > [Steak-Ums!](http://www.steakumm.com/) > > Loved these when I was a kid. No longer eat them, [because…](http://philadelphia.grubstreet.com/2012/04/what-is-really-in-steak-umms.html) What in that article turned you off of Steakumms(which I’ve never heard of by the way). It sounds like it is made of leftover meat…but it is still meat as far as I can tell. Like hot dogs. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/17 "2014-06-22T14:56:47Z")
Precooked frozen burgers are hardly a new concept. My dad’s work sells them to restaurants, and he occasionally brings some home. You get sick of 'em after a while. Far better is to get regular beef patties and cook them in the microwave. About 4 minutes and they are well done. They can even be a bit freezer burnt and still come out okay. The only real problem is that they shrink so dadblasted much. Sure, they don’t get that deep brown crust you get if you cook them on the stove, but they’re still superior than the fake smoke flavor that comes with precooked burgers. Granted, maybe Ballpark burgers have fixed that aspect. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2014, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/18 "2014-06-22T15:02:42Z")
> [@donkeyoatey](#): > > 😕 > Nothing tasty in a non-stick pan and you can’t add seasoning? “Seasoning” a cast iron pan is when you coat it with some type of fat to help maintain the stick resistant surface. You do it after cooking by rubbing some oil on it and when you cook with grease. You don’t use detergent to clean the pan, just scrub off stuck food and wipe it down. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/19 "2014-06-23T03:23:06Z")
Another yes vote. I don’t like fried burgers, and it’s a fair bit of trouble to properly grill one burger. These I enjoy year round. ---
**Author:** ![Drum\_God](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drum_god/32/44_2.png) [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2014, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269/20 "2014-06-23T14:55:33Z")
In my opinion, the HEB pre-cooked patties are far superior to Ballpark patties. The Ballpark ones have a weird aftertaste. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ball-park-beef-patties/691269.md?page=2)