# Why Don't Restaurants Put the Mayo ON the Hamburger? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 1, 2012, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821 "2012-06-01T23:56:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/21 "2012-06-02T13:54:41Z")
I saw a TV special about some of the original burger restaurants from a long time ago, and the only toppings were mayo and onion. The mayo melts into the burger to create its own “sauce”. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/22 "2012-06-02T14:28:07Z")
> [@saje](#): > > [Not so sure about that…](http://www.amazon.com/Hellmanns-Mayonnaise-22-Ounce-Squeeze-Bottle/dp/B002DMOXTC?tag=duckduckgo-d-20) Yes, it seems to me that the physics of displaced air being forced from a squeezed plastic container and in the process causing the ejection of mayo from said container would work the same for as for ketchup or mustard. As for the people who don’t like mayo, I would suggest trying some homemade stuff whipped up fresh. The difference from store-bought mayo is considerable. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/23 "2012-06-02T18:03:09Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Mayo is disgusting? There’s no accounting for taste. That’s often used as a put-down, but it’s simply factually true. Different strokes for different folks. One man’s meat is another man’s poison. And so it goes. If someone mentions to me that they don’t like a certain food (or activity), there’s no questioning “why?” They don’t like it, and that’s that. ---
**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 2, 2012, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/24 "2012-06-02T20:07:22Z")
At Jack in the Box, we used mayo more as “glue” to hold the veggies in place than anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/25 "2012-06-02T20:12:12Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > There’s no accounting for taste. . . “Everybody doesn’t like something good.” There are people who don’t like chocolate, or lemonade, or tuna… There are people who don’t like Disneyland, and that staggers me! (I have actually met people who declare, with total confidence, "If I don’t like it, _it isn’t good!_ Such persons are best dealt with at a distance.) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/26 "2012-06-02T20:33:09Z")
Mayo has no place on a proper hamburger, but if is going to be there, it needs to be applied in a thin layer to the bottom bun to keep the burger juices from ruining the structural integrity thereof. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/27 "2012-06-02T22:11:55Z")
> [@akennett](#): > > They’re just trying to clue you in to the fact that mayo on burgers is really fucking disgusting. Bingo. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/28 "2012-06-02T22:18:25Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > (I have actually met people who declare, with total confidence, "If I don’t like it, _it isn’t good!_ Such persons are best dealt with at a distance.) Nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…the standard reply is a BIG grin, while saying, “Not a problem, that just means more for ME!” ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![This\_Just\_In\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@This\_Just\_In\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/This_Just_In_2)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/29 "2012-06-02T22:26:10Z")
I can’t stand mayo. First order of business with any sandwich or hamburger I buy is scraping as much of the crap off as possible (if I couldn’t order it without that greasy cum shit to begin with). In my perfect world mayo would be as commonly served with food as donkey balls. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/30 "2012-06-02T22:31:03Z")
Why do you hate donkeys so much? Mayo is perfect on fries, as a component of fry sauce, and absolutely essential for a proper BLT. ---
**Author:** ![This\_Just\_In\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@This\_Just\_In\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/This_Just_In_2)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/31 "2012-06-02T22:44:16Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Why do you hate donkeys so much? Mayo is perfect on fries, as a component of fry sauce, and absolutely essential for a proper BLT. Sorry, a BLT stands for Bacon Lettuce Tomato. Don’t see mayo on that list, so it could hardly be essential. And I love my mayo free BLT’s. My [minority] personal preference, but I begrudge anyone who maliciously serves mayo mixed into sandwiches or burgers. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2012, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/32 "2012-06-02T23:09:21Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Mayo is disgusting? It’s just eggs, oil, and vinegar or lemon juice. I guess there are some who legitimately dislike mayo. Most of the people I’ve known who’ve disliked mayo have actually never eaten it, though. They’ve only had miracle whip (which tastes like seagull shit and ogre smegma). Nope, I grew up in a southern home which basically means Hellmans Mayo is in/on almost everything except he sweet tea. Somewhere in my teens, I just plain lost my tolerance for the stuff. IMHO, a good burger needs neither mayo or cheese. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/33 "2012-06-03T00:13:38Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Why do you hate donkeys so much? Mayo is perfect on fries, as a component of fry sauce, and absolutely essential for a proper BLT. You say mayo has no place on a “proper” burger, yet does have one on a BLT. What is your reasoning here? Obviously you like mayo, so I’m wondering why you feel this way. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/34 "2012-06-03T00:21:11Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > . . . What is your reasoning here? Obviously you like mayo, so I’m wondering why you feel this way. With all due respect, I think [the question is irrelevant](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15125829&postcount=23). Some people want a hamburger with only meat and a bun. Some people want [whatever] toppings, and some don’t like [whatever] toppings. That’s just the way it is. Similarly, I don’t watch sports. Most other people like to watch some kind of sport at least. I understand that, but they’ll never convert me to being a sports fan. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/35 "2012-06-03T00:30:18Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > With all due respect, I think [the question is irrelevant](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15125829&postcount=23). Some people want a hamburger with only meat and a bun. Some people want [whatever] toppings, and some don’t like [whatever] toppings. That’s just the way it is. > > Similarly, I don’t watch sports. Most other people like to watch some kind of sport at least. I understand that, but they’ll never convert me to being a sports fan. Eh, to a degree, perhaps, but I am not convinced. For instance, some say the sweetness of ketchup cancels out the “tartness”, or whatever it is, of a hot dog, thus ruining the taste, while mustard enhances it, thus making the dog better. To just randomly say that a BLT requires mayo, but a burger mustn’t have any, for no particular reason, seems strange to me, and I’m just wondering why **silenus** feels this way. There is of course no right or wrong way to prepare your food though. ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/36 "2012-06-03T00:43:36Z")
Someone should come up with mayo and ketchup based “special sauce” recipe, put it on a double cheeseburger (light on the meat) with lettuce, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun (heavy on the bread)…maybe they’d sell a few. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/37 "2012-06-03T00:54:20Z")
Mayo is fatty, and so many people who are watching their diet want to be able to exercise portion control with regards to it. By comparison, mustard is very nearly non-caloric, and ketchup, while being caloric, is nonfat, and therefore does not have a reputation for being caloric. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/38 "2012-06-03T01:07:00Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Mayo is fatty, and so many people who are watching their diet want to be able to exercise portion control with regards to it. By comparison, mustard is very nearly non-caloric, and ketchup, while being caloric, is nonfat, and therefore does not have a reputation for being caloric. Ah, back to the original question, it seems. And I must say, I’m liking this answer. I’m going with this unless something better comes along, or I overcome my reluctance to bring this up trivial matter with the waitstaff at my favorite diner. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/39 "2012-06-03T01:12:46Z")
> [@zombywoof](#): > > Someone should come up with mayo and ketchup based “special sauce” recipe, put it on a double cheeseburger (light on the meat) with lettuce, pickles, and onions on a sesame seed bun (heavy on the bread)…maybe they’d sell a few. Rather than create such a recipe, it might be easier for such theoretical person to simply ripoff Thousand Island Dressing and use that on his new burger. ---
**Author:** ![stegon66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@stegon66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stegon66)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2012, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821/40 "2012-06-03T01:18:37Z")
> [@](#): > > They’re just trying to clue you in to the fact that mayo on burgers is really fucking disgusting. Oh no no, KETCHUP on a burger is disgusting - can’t stand the two together. Don’t like mustard either. Gah! Where I work we have “Build Your Own” burgers which _automatically_ come with mayo. Everything else is on the side. Weird, but I stopped questioning their dumbass decisions long ago… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-restaurants-put-the-mayo-on-the-hamburger/623821.md?page=3)