LONG BEACH, Wash. — It's a burger so big it takes three people - just to get it on the grill. And its behemoth buns must be custom made.
The Corral Drive-In in Long Beach does the regular drive-in stuff like hand-mixed shakes. But they also have a titanic tradition that goes back decades.
"My father actually started it about 30 years ago,” said owner Ray Coulston. "He came up with a five pound burger on an 18 inch bun.”
The Tsunami Burger has fed generations of Long Beach locals and tourists - abundantly. The restaurant has hundreds of photos to prove it.
“Yeah, it's always funny to see people's eyes when it comes up into the window. And you know, because it is the size of a large pizza, by the time you get all your toppings on it, you're about 10 pounds,” Coulston said.
The big burger shows up at birthday parties, weddings and even wakes. Coulston made one for a funeral just a couple of weeks ago.
Tsunami Burgers need 24 hours’ notice -- because these sesame seed buns get custom made by a bakery down the street. And the massive mound of meat takes up the whole grill.
When the burger is ready to flip you’ll hear the cheer:
"One, Two, Three, Tsunami!"
Then comes mayo, mustard, plenty of pickles and the rest of the cow in the form of cheese.
"I'd say about 25 slices,” Coulston said.
Then, lettuce and tomatoes - to make it healthy. And another Tsunami Burger is born.
It won't harm any coastal communities - but it will wipe out the biggest appetite. Baby Johanne tries his first taste of a Tsunami Burger and high fives the camera lens.
And that is the reason Coulston keeps The Corral Drive-In going -- so he can keep sharing these giants with generations to come.
"It's like my friends came in with their parents, and now they're bringing their kids in," he said. "And it's just really cool to see."
Tsunami Burgers require 24 hours advance notice, there are blackout dates, and one with cheese currently costs $75, not including tax. Prices subject to change. The Corral Drive-in 2506 Pacific Avenue, Long Beach.
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