Begin by taking that beautiful ground beef. In a large mixing bowl, combine the beef with your favorite burger rub. Don't be shy! Season generously. For added depth, incorporate smoked paprika as well. This is where you set the foundation for a flavorful burger. Form the seasoned beef into patties. Aim for a thickness of around half an inch. They’ll shrink while cooking, so keep them a tad thicker than you think you'll want. This recipe usually yields about 10-12 patties depending on their size.

While the patties rest, get your bacon sizzling. I prefer to fry bacon until it reaches a crispy texture. Once cooked, let the bacon drain on paper towels. They’ll soon add that delightful crunch to our burger!

Next up: the grill. Preheat your grill or stovetop skillet over medium-high heat. If you're outdoor grilling, that’s even better! Grill those patties for around 4-5 minutes on each side. You’re aiming for a luscious medium-rare since we’ll top them off with cheese shortly.

Once you flip the patties, layer a slice of American cheese on each one. Close the grill lid to allow the cheese to melt beautifully. That gooey wonder is what we all crave!

While the cheese is melting, it's time to toast those buns! Simply place them on the grill or in a hot skillet, cut-side down. You want a lovely golden-brown finish. This step adds a satisfying crunch that holds up against the juicy patty.

Now for the fun part—assemble it! Start with the bottom bun, then the juicy patty with melted cheese. Add two pieces of crispy bacon for that crunch. Slather a generous amount of BBQ sauce on top, and finish with a pile of crispy onion rings. Cap it off with the top bun, and voilà!