Classic American Cheeseburger with Crispy Fries

1.Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) for fries. Wash and peel russet potatoes, then cut into 1/4-inch thick fries. Soak fries in cold water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch, then drain and pat dry thoroughly.

2.Toss fries with 2 tbsp vegetable oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy. (For extra crispiness, you can double-fry: fry once at 325°F/165°C for 4 minutes, drain, then fry again at 375°F/190°C for 2-3 minutes until golden.)

3.While fries bake, prepare burger sauce: In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and sweet pickle relish. Set aside.

4.Divide ground beef into 4 equal portions (about 6 oz each). Shape into patties slightly wider than the buns, making a slight indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb. Season both sides with kosher salt and black pepper.

5.Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Toast brioche buns, cut side down, with a little butter until golden. Set aside.

6.Add patties to the hot skillet or grill. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side for medium, or until desired doneness. In the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a slice of cheddar cheese and cover the pan to melt the cheese.

7.Assemble burgers: Spread burger sauce on both halves of each bun. Layer lettuce, tomato slices, pickles, and onion (if using) on the bottom bun. Place the hot, cheesy patty on top, then finish with the top bun.

8.Serve immediately with a generous portion of crispy fries on the side. Add extra ketchup or dipping sauce as desired.