A recent eGullet exchange notes the sudden ubiquity of the mini-burger at many of the “hip” restaurants in the D.C. area. The smaller-than-average burger, popular as an appetizer at the Chinatown bistro Matchbox, has apparently made appearances on various menus at 15 Ria, Fado, the newly opened Tallula in Clarendon, Silver Spring’s Jackie’s, as “twin burgers” at 701 downtown, and at the Hotel Monaco’s Poste.

Although the mini-burger has long been a staple on the on the menu at White Castle, the nearest branch of that popular institution is in Irvington, N.J. Perhaps local restauranteurs are trying to appeal to transplanted stoners from the tri-state area, or signaling the last gasp of minimalist Nouvelle Cuisine. eGullet members are quick to point out that the mini-burger is also available at Dave & Busters and The Cheesecake Factory, though one member mentions that the Cheesecake Factory’s version is less than spectacular:

I would have been happier with 3 small McD’s hamburgers on a plate. Which is quite similar to what I got, though CF’s weren’t as tasty.

The appearance of the mini-burger (or, as some prefer, the “slider”) at the large restaurant chains as well as at more refined eateries suggests to DCist that the trend has already jumped the shark.