The $777 Burger that Gordon Ramsay tasted and adored.

If you have extra cash to spare, take a cue from Gordon Ramsay and splurge it on one of the world’s priciest burgers. That’s just what the chef-turned-TV personality did during the 2020 “City Slickers” edition of his show “American Road Trip.” Ramsay invited co-hosts Gino D’Acampo and Fred Sirieix to Burger Brasserie at the Bally’s resort in Las Vegas to sample its aptly named 777 burger.

Joining head chef Karl Krebs in the kitchen, Ramsay helped cook and assemble one of these luxurious burgers. The decadent patty was crafted from marbled American Wagyu beef, a blend of rib-eye cap and chuck. This grilled meat was topped with aged American goat’s cheese, crispy pancetta, sliced lobster, two pieces of foie gras, arugula, and finished with a generous drizzle of 100-year-old balsamic vinegar. To complement the lavish feast, it was served alongside a bottle of Dom Pérignon Rosé. Opinions varied among Ramsay’s guests regarding the upscale champagne. D’Acampo deemed it cultured while Sirieix protested it was “sacrilege” (as noted on YouTube).

Ultimately, despite its extravagant offerings meant for the high rollers of Sin City, Burger Brasserie closed its doors in 2022. Bally’s has since been rebranded as Horseshoe Las Vegas, and the former burger restaurant has transformed into Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Sports Kitchen. The most expensive burger at Fieri’s establishment carries a much more modest price tag of $27.99.

Regarding the reactions of the road trippers to the $777 burger, D’Acampo found the flavors of the foie gras and lobster surprisingly prominent, which he appreciated, while Sirieix lamented that the towering sandwich was difficult to consume without utensils. Referencing his French refinement, his critique aligned with the contentious etiquette regarding eating a burger in a fine dining setting. While both Ramsay and D’Acampo relished the sophisticated meal, Sirieix couldn’t overlook its hefty price tag. Ramsay encapsulated the experience by exclaiming, “it’s disgustingly expensive, but it’s bloody delicious” (per YouTube).

The extraordinary price likely stemmed from the premium quality of the ingredients, which justified the restaurant’s pricing. For instance, the meat used: A5 Wagyu steak is considered the pinnacle of luxury. Although this beef hails from Japan, the rare Wagyu breeds can also be found in America, brought in prior to the import ban in 1997. Likewise, the brasserie’s burger featured the world’s most costly balsamic vinegar, genuine Academia Barilla Aceto Balsamico. This D.O.P. certified vinegar from Modena, aged 100 years, can cost around $200 per bottle.

Although foie gras and lobster are also pricey, the single most expensive component of the $777 burger is actually the accompanying bottle of champagne. Depending on the vintage, luxury champagne prices range from $250 to over $5,000. A 2001 rosé variety typically costs around $400.

While the 777 burger is no longer available, there are still numerous options for an extravagant hamburger experience. In England, you can visit Gordon Ramsay Burger located inside Harrods and pay £85 (just over $109) for his 1849 burger accompanied by truffle-parmesan fries. This specialty burger features a Wagyu patty (Japanese Kobe A5), mushroom ragu, truffle-porcini aioli, pecorino cheese, watercress, and aged balsamic vinegar.

New York City’s Serendipity 3, established in 1954, gained notoriety in 2012 by earning the Guinness World Record for the world’s most expensive hamburger. The $295 Le Burger Extravagant includes a Japanese Wagyu patty made with herbed white truffle butter and smoked sea salt, garnished with cave-aged cheddar, a fried quail egg, and black truffles, altogether nestled in a white truffle-buttered bun. It’s topped off with a blini, crème fraîche, and Paramount Kaluga caviar, all held together by a solid gold, diamond-encrusted toothpick.

Lastly, make your way to De Daltons restaurant in The Netherlands, which, as of 2021, holds the Guinness World Record for the most expensive hamburger. Priced at €5,000 ($5430.90), The Golden Boy boasts a Wagyu A5 patty on a gold-leaf covered bun infused with Dom Pérignon. It is embellished with Beluga caviar, King crab cooked in Puligny-Montrachet wine, Joselito Bellota Iberico ham, white truffle, English cheddar, matcha tea-pickled tomato, smoked duck egg mayo, a Dom Pérignon battered onion ring, accompanied by barbecue sauce made with Macallan whisky and Kopi Luwak, the world’s most expensive “cat poop” coffee.