Azorean Beef Burger with Bacon, Sao Jorge Cheese, Caramelized Onion, Garlic Mayonnaise, Coleslaw and Smoky Ketchup

The Azorean Beef Burger is a Portuguese-inspired hamburger that originates from the Azores archipelago, known for its dairy and beef production. The dish features a beef patty topped with crispy bacon, a generous slice of São Jorge cheese—a semi-hard, buttery cow’s-milk cheese with a slight pungency—caramelized onions for sweetness, garlic mayonnaise, tangy coleslaw, and a smoky ketchup. This combination is often served on a toasted bun.

A great version is distinguished by the quality of the São Jorge cheese, which should be melted but not overpowering, and a well-seasoned, juicy beef patty. The smoky ketchup adds a charred depth, while the coleslaw provides crunch and acidity to cut through the richness. At the venue **Ah! Boca Santa** in Horta, Portogallo, the dish has been highlighted by the food-focused creator **Sentieri Golosi**, who praised its balanced layering of textures and flavors. Regional variations may substitute the São Jorge cheese with local Azorean cured cheeses or replace the coleslaw with pickled vegetables, but the core components remain rooted in Azorean culinary traditions. The burger exemplifies the region’s pride in its artisanal cheese and pasture-raised beef, elevating a classic burger into a distinctive island specialty.