

Photo by jslander via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr

Today is a sad day for burger fans here in SoCal. John Markulis, the bun baker responsible for the bread at In-N-Out, Fatburger, and The Original Tommy's, has passed away at 83.

Markulis was the owner of Puritan Bakery in Carson, which has supplied breads and buns for more than 2,000 restaurants across the Southland. The bakery has been operating since 1938, offering up what they deem the "Best Buns in Town."

Says the Times:





The factory, based in Carson since the '70s, makes more than 300 types of breads and buns. In-N-Out has used Puritan's specially formulated 4-inch buns since the 1950s... Not only are our hamburger buns absolutely delicious," Puritan's website says, "they are specially designed to stand up on the grill and will not fall apart when full of meat juices, dressings and condiments." It's a seven-hour process to make the buns, from sponge to final product.

The work was worth it. Just as a good pie starts with a perfect crust, a great burger requires buns that are as delicious as they are structurally sound. It's pretty amazing that Markulis' can hold up to double animal styles and Tommy's chili. Here's to hoping his legacy of perfect buns continues on.

