In the Philippines, leftover grease in cooking pans is something most home cooks avoid.
But at a historic restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee, this very grease is the secret ingredient behind a burger that keeps customers coming back for more.
Dyer’s Burger, founded in 1912 by Elmer “Doc” Dyer, has become legendary for its juicy, flavorful patties.
The secret lies not only in Dyer’s original blend of seasonings but also in the special grease used to cook the burgers — grease that has been preserved and reused for over a century.
According to the story, one night a cook at Dyer’s accidentally forgot to discard the grease from the pan.
The next batch of burgers was fried in the same grease and served to customers.
To everyone’s surprise, the burgers were more delicious than ever. The restaurant decided to keep cooking with the same grease, believing it added an irreplaceable depth of flavor.
Over 100 years later, the original grease remains in use, carefully strained and replenished to maintain its quality.
Each burger at Dyer’s is still cooked in this historic grease, continuing a tradition that has become a unique part of Memphis food culture.
This distinctive approach has kept Dyer’s Burger popular for generations, proving that sometimes, the secret to success can be found in the most unexpected places.
