[Review] Five Guys Burger, Angel / Covent Garden, London

Since the frenzied media (both social and otherwise) of the launch of American burger chain Five Guys in the UK in Summer 2013, the chain has been making inroads into the domestic market and has already opened two new restaurants in The Oracle, Reading, and on Upper Street, Islington.

Five Guys Bacon Cheeseburger

Now things have settled a little, I popped into the Five Guys Angel branch to get the low down on a couple of their burgers, whilst picking up some steak and burger patties from London's rockstar butchers, Turner & George.

[Review] Juicy Bastard Burgers, The Green Man, Edgware Road

Update 7 Jan 2014 - Juicy Bastard has rebranded to Burger Craft.

Tucked away just under the Westway flyover in the unfashionable part of Paddington is The Green Man, a rather incongruous place to launch a burger brand as potentially contentious as Juicy Bastard.

I'd received an invite to sample burgers from one of the team at Best Place Inns, the holding company for the pub, and as they were on my hit list anyway, I decided to head over on a Wednesday evening to see if they were any good.

[Guest Review] Chosen Bun Burger Delivery, Fulham Road, Fulham

From time to time, I invite trusted guest reviewers to sample burgers that I am unable to reach - and guest reviewer Monty is no exception.

The Viking Burger from Chosen Bun

As a resident of Fulham, Monty is best placed to review the services of home delivery burger purveyor Chosen Bun.

2013 Xmas Burger Roundup

'Tis the season to be jolly.

And what's more jolly that a shed load of Christmas specials from our favourite burger purveyors across the capital.

2013 London Christmas Burger Roundup

Here's the Hamburger Me! 2013 Xmas Burger Roundup...

[Review] Dirty Burger, Under the Arches, Vauxhall

Dirty Burger's second London location is, suitably, under an arch, just outside Vauxhall mainline train station. This restaurant feels more permanent than the pop-up shed 'round the back' in Kentish Town, but it still feels transitory.

However the makeshift wooden bar, the fixed barstool seating, and exposed brickwork belie some serious kitchen kit - a flat top griddle to make Fred Smith sweat, rack of industrial fryers, and warming pad for fries - suggest it's another slick operation from Soho House.

[Review] The Grizzly Bear from Burger Bear, Red Market, London

It was a over a year ago when I ventured across London to first meet up with Burger Bear's Tom Reaney, and shortly afterwards posted London's first review of his burger street food offering.

Burger Bear Grizzly Bear Burger

Since then Tom's star has been in the ascendency, to the point where he was crowned Heat 4 winner of the London Burger Bash - a competition that pits purveyors of burgers against each other in a battle for the Golden Patty. So I had a Friday lunchtime free and decided to pop down to Red Market for a winners lunch.

[Review] Wenlock and Essex Triple Steak Burger

I've been a big fan of the Wenlock & Essex in Angel for a while. The original Wenlock burger debuted straight into my Top 10 Burgers in London list back in March 2012. The head chef James Morgan (the driving force behind the Wenlock's burger renaissance) has since left for pastures new and the pub dropped off my radar...

Wenlock & Essex Triple Steak burger

...until last week, when I spotted they'd launched a new 'triple steak' burger on the menu. Time for another visit.

Hamburger Gourmet competition winners

As you know those lovely folks at Murdoch Books, publishers of the English translation of Hamburger Gourmet, have sent me three copies of the book to give away. This fantastic prize coincides with the UK release of the book, the contents of which I wrote about here:

Here are the entries:

@burgerawayday's study in felt tip

Chris Stott's triple patty outline 

@Chrislm86's burger collage, modelled by his long suffering girlfriend

@Fevis's line burger

@PovoasCraig's  'two slow' 

@Joelgherkin's study of a Breddo's Slider

@Michaeljosem's 'wear it' burger tee

@steampie's lifecycle of a burger

@willyumscouk mashup in pencil and paint

And the winners are:

Joelgherkin

Chrislm86

Steampie

I'll be in touch with you all shortly.

Congratulations!

Of course you're all winners as you can get your own copy of Hamburger Gourmet for just £10.34 on Amazon.

[WIN] Three copies of burger recipe book Hamburger Gourmet to give away

Competition now closed.

Those lovely folks at Murdoch Books, publishers of the English translation of Hamburger Gourmet, have sent me three copies of the book to give away. This fantastic prize coincides with the UK release of the book, the contents of which I wrote about here:

To be in with a chance of winning a copy of this most excellent cult burger book, you can enter this competition by drawing me a picture of your hamburger gourmet (you can use whatever medium you like, pen-and-ink, ketchup on a napkin, paint shop pro etc) and sharing it with me.

Once you've drawn it, enter your picture in the following two ways:

ON TWITTER:

Upload your picture, and include the following message:

"I want to win a copy of Hamburger Gourmet (http://amzn.to/1fgJcvn) - here's my illustrated burger @hamburgerme"

ON FACEBOOK:

Head over to my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/burgerme, and if you haven't already liked it (hello, where have you been?!), like it, then upload your burger illustration to the page with the following message:

"I want to win a copy of Hamburger Gourmet (http://amzn.to/1fgJcvn) - here's my illustrated burger"

Terms:

1. I have three copies of Hamburger Gourmet to give away
2. All entries on Twitter or Facebook will be added to a prize draw
3. Prize draw will take place on Friday 8 November and my favourite three burger illustrations will each win a copy of Hamburger Gourmet.
4. Winners will be notified via Twitter or Facebook, and if prize isn't claimed within 48 hours I will draw another winner.
5. I may use your pictures in a future post (credited, of course, I'm not an animal)...
6. My decision is final.

[Review] Dip & Flip Burger, Clapham Junction

Dip & Flip is the latest twist on London's burger scene. It's tucked away near Clapham Junction on Battersea Rise and the restaurant/burger bar/gravy bar seats about 40 in a largely utilitarian space.

The glorious, eponymous Dip & Flip burger

I headed down on a Tuesday night to check it out...

[Special] The Mo 'Shroom Burger - Byron's Movember Charity Burger

Every November since 2010, Byron have dedicated their special for the month of November to prostate and testicular charity Movember. This year is no exception, and so from 1 - 30 November, you get to wrap your chops around The Mo 'Shroom Burger.

Byron's Mo 'Shroom burger

Hamburger Gourmet - the must have hamburger recipe book now in English

"With good bread, good meat, and good vegetables, the possibilities are endless."

I received a lovely surprise in the post the other day - a press review copy of the upcoming ENGLISH TRANSLATION of Hamburger Gourmet*.

The book is authored by, among others, Vincent Garnier the founder of chic Paris hamburger chain BLEND, who clearly had a lot of fun writing it.

World Burger Tour: my Visa dream first time experience

Visa approached me the other day with a simple question. What would be my dream first-time experience?

The Hamburger Me! world burger tour - a popular map...

This question came in context of a competition that Visa are running to promote their contactless payment cards where, until 27 October 2013, if you make a payment with your contactless payment card, you have the chance to win a prize of £1,000 every day, and for eight lucky people the chance to make your dream first-time experience come true!

Here's the science bit…

[Special] Le Smokey, Byron Hamburgers

Hello Byron. It's been a while.

Le Smokey - Byron's October 2013 burger special

That's a lie, I had one a couple of weeks ago. Actually, make that two in a week, a couple of weeks ago. Anyway that's not the point. The point is I don't write about Byron much, and that's because they tend to be consistently good at what they do. Their empire now extends to 34 restaurants across the country (though focusing on their homeland of London) and with Hammersmith and O2 being developed at the moment, their expansion is continuing apace.

The reason I'm writing about Byron today, is to alert you to their latest special - Le Smokey - and to make sure you don't miss out.

[Review] Heliot Steakhouse, Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square

The Heliot Steakhouse is tucked into the dress circle of the Hippodrome Casino on Leicester Square. It commands a view over the casino gaming floor, and I was invited to sample the newly launched menu on a hot Thursday evening.

I realise I've been sitting on this review for a few weeks, so without further ado let's take a look at the Heliot's burger...

How I ensure Hamburger Me! reviews are consistent

One of the most common questions I receive since I started this blog back in December 2010, is "How I can ensure my reviews are consistent?" (the most popular, of course, is what's the best burger in London). The consistency question has come up so often, especially as I taste and review burgers across the spectrum of price, establishment, and location, that I decided to pull together a short video to outline some of the elements I look for in EVERY burger review I do.

So here it is, my Anatomy of a Hamburger Me! Burger Review:

Battle of the Burgers 2013 - the Red Tractor burger cook-off

On Friday 6 September I was a member of a panel of judges presiding over the final of the Simply Lamb and Beef 'Battle of the Burgers' competition. The eight finalists competed in a live cook off for their chance to win £2,000, and the respect of their friends, family, and judges.

How to host your own Burgermat Show

As it's hump day, I thought I'd share with you something wonderfully burger-y. A couple of months ago I ordered a thoroughly brilliant book put together by burger detective Burgerac and Nobrow Press, entitled The Burgermat Show.

Burgerac's Burgermat Show book from Nobrow Press

National Burger Day for the UK, 27 August

Read the latest on National Burger Day - 27 August 2014.

_____________

Burgers, burgers, everywhere, but no National Burger Day for the UK.

Well there is now.

27 August 2013 is the first annual National Burger Day, in association with Mr Hyde. A day where people come together to celebrate the delicious union of beef and bun.

[Review] Steers, Lavender Hill, Clapham Junction

Steers is a well established South African burger fast food joint, which opened in early July 2013 on the site of the old Wimpy on Lavendar Hill near Clapham Junction station. Interestingly it's parent company, Famous Brands, also owns the Wimpy brand too - is this a push for modernisation of a tired, and now pretty much defunct brand?

A free Tuesday night saw this burger blogger head down with a  friend to see how well this South African burger concept translates into London's burger scene.

Steers Burger, Clapham Junction

[Review] Burgers at The Admiral Codrington, Mossop Street

An email popped into my inbox the other day with an old, familiar name in the subject line. 'New Lobster Burger at the Admiral Codrington' it proclaimed, and immediately memories were stirred of the most marvellous and exciting burgers I've ever eaten. A Big Mac styled Big Boy as part of a MockDonalds burger tasting, The Ad Cod cheeseburger, a trio of burgers that included a triple chilli burger.

Admiral Codrington Lobster Burger

So with PR invite in hand, I collected a couple of seasoned burger eaters and we made the journey to South Kensington to see how the burger matches up a year on from my last visit.

Hamburger Me! launches Kasun London designed Burger Cufflinks

Inspired by the humble hamburger, yours truly and Kasun London have collaborated to create a pair of beautiful handmade burger cufflinks!

Burger cufflinks from Hamburger Me! and Kasun London

[Review] Giant Robot Burger, Clerkenwell Road

"Oh God, there's a GIANT ROBOT on Clerkenwell Road."

"Ha ha, Steve, very funny."

This, unfortunately, was the precursor to my second visit to Giant Robot. Part of the stable of restaurants that incorporate RedHook and Rotary Bar and Diner, Giant Robot is located on Clerkenwell Road just behind Farringdon Station.

Giant Robot Rotary Burger

[Burger & Wine Pairing] Cheeseburger Red from Rootstock Cellars

Following on from my Burger and Wine pairing post, where I outline the basics of matching the burger you're eating to grape varietals, I've started a regular feature on pairing specific wines to homemade burgers so you can replicate the experience at home.

The first wine I've got for you is an aptly named 'Cheeseburger Red' from Rootstock Cellars in California. The winery team there very kindly sent me a bottle to try. It's designed as a full-bodied red wine aiming to achieve perfect harmony when chowing down on an American cheeseburger.

Cheeseburger vs Cheeseburger Red

[Burger News] Five Guys come to Covent Garden, London

Shortly after the announcement that Danny Meyer's Shake Shack are opening up in Covent Garden, London, cult American burger restaurant Five Guys Burgers and Fries dropped their bombshell - they'd also rented space at 1-3 Long Acre in Covent Garden and are opening the DAY BEFORE Shake Shack. And so the invasion is officially on...

[Burger News] Guide to Shake Shack in Covent Garden, London

Shake Shack launches in London's Covent Garden South Market on 5th July 2013...

Shake Shack Burger Selection (photo by William Brinson)

...so here's everything you need to know about Shake Shack's London opening, with a few surprises along the way. 

[Review] MeatLover Burger at Filthy McNastys, Amwell Street, London EC1

Straight out of soft launch a couple of weekends ago, MeatLover is another BBQ-cum-American comfort food diner to open its doors to the London public. It's located in Filthy McNasty's on Amwell Street, EC1, serving a range of ribs, brisket, buttermilk fried chicken and, of course, a burger.

Bowl food. Burger and sides from MeatLover at Filthy McNasty's

I was alerted to the credentials of this burger by food blogger Paul Hart, and so finding my schedule clear on a Monday lunchtime, I promptly hopped on a Boris Bike and hot-wheeled my way over to Filthy McNasty's to get my fix. Here's how it went down...

[Review] Psychic Burger at Birthdays, Stoke Newington Road, Dalston

Psychic Burger is a burger concept that's launched on the ground floor of Birthdays, Stoke Newington Road, Dalston, N16 8BJ, replacing previous incumbent Rita's Bar & Dining. It's from the people behind the White Rabbit (where the menu testing took place) and part-owned by Vice.

You must be Psychic, I DO want a burger...

I was invited by Psychic Burger to give their burgers the Hamburger Me! treatment and so duly headed into Dalston with The Brunette to see how it measures up to the best burgers in London.

[Burger Factfile] Heart Attack Grill, Las Vegas: Burgers of the World

This month, we're starting a series on some of the most famous burger joints around the world, whose influence transcend national borders and appeal internationally.

Octuple bypass burger from Heart Attack Grill

To kick off, we give you the low down on the Heart Attack Grill.

[Review] Giraffe Burgers and Cocktails, James Street, W1U

The first rule of James Street is: eat burgers at Patty & Bun.

The second rule of James Street is: DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES eat burgers at Giraffe Burgers & Cocktails.

Guerrilla burger from Giraffe Burgers & Cocktails

I found myself wandering up James Street, behind Selfridges, on a Thursday evening hoping to get a quick bit of Patty & Bun burger action in before heading off to North London to see some friends. As I approached I realised I was staring down the barrel of a MAHOOSIVE queue. 

The first mistake I made that evening was not sitting it out in the queue...

Pairing Wine with your Burger

Burger lovers, when you're not quaffing fine craft ales from micro-breweries, or sipping a Bloody Mary with your burger, you might be racking your brains to find a decent wine for pairing. 

Luckily, in this latest post I outline the basics of wine and burger pairing...

[Review] Cheeseburger from the Coach and Horses, Clerkenwell

The Coach and Horses is a small pub situated off Farringdon St. in Clerkenwell. It's a classic old man style london boozer, but attached is a more upmarket kitchen. 

Cheeseburger from the Coach & Horses, Clerkenwell

I was meeting an old friend for a couple of drinks and clocked the burger on the menu - so here's how it went down.

'Classic Burger' Baby Tshirt now available in the Burger Me! Shop

So I'm pretty excited about a couple of things at the moment. 

Baby 'Classic Burger' Tee

First of all, I'm really pleased to announce the birth of baby Hamburger Me! - or as we're calling him, Slider. He's a total handful, so if over the next few months I'm posting less often you'll know why as I've got my hands full! This segues nicely into my second exciting announcement...

The Hamburger Postulate: Burgers and The Big Bang Theory

I was watching the Big Bang Theory the other day and came across the episode entitled The Hamburger Postulate. It made me chuckle and so I thought I'd share it.

Image courtesy of sheldonquotes.com

So, continuing a theme of sitcoms that mention burgers (moving on from my previous post covering How I Met Your Mother - The best burger in New York), I thought I'd share a couple of burger related extracts of dialogue from The Hamburger Postulate episode:  

[Review] Redhook burger, Turnmill Street, Farringdon, EC1M 5QU

Redhook, a stripped back restaurant ostensibly focusing on the best of British produce was my destination for a lunchtime burger. 

Redhook cheeseburger

This is how it went down...

[Special] Honest Burgers launch special American Cheeseburger

Honest Burgers, the British burger stalwart with outposts in Soho and Brixton Market have come up with a cracking special burger for the next month.

Honest Burgers American Special

[Review] The Buffalo Bill Burger from Street Kitchen at the Doodle Bar, Battersea

I've long been a fan of Street Kitchen, first meeting Mark Jankel back in October 2010, when they were working with Joe Grossman of Patty & Bun on his burger pop-up at the Doodle Bar. 

[Infographic] London Burger Review 2013

Here at Hamburger Me!, I realise this blog isn't just about eating burgers, it's far bigger than that. It's a celebration of the ultimate comfort food that is now in glorious abundance throughout our capital. 

One of the joys of authoring and curating this blog is it gives me licence to work on some really fun things, things like this infographic summarising my London Burger Review.

Click me, I get bigger!

This doesn't sit in isolation however, so check out my accompanying analysis and the London Burger TOP TRUMPS in more detail below.

Beresford Casey - co-founder of Haché - on expansion, burgers, and the Haché family

Haché have just opened their fourth outpost at 147 Curtain Road, Shoreditch, EC2A 3EQ, so it's the perfect time to catch up with Beresford Casey, Haché's co-founder, to find out a little more about one of London's original independent burger restaurants.

This is part of a series of interviews with some of the people behind the burgers in London. Check out my first interview, with Tom Byng, founder of Byron.

Beresford Casey, co-founder of Haché Burgers

Building an ELSCo Black Label Burger

Just for fun, I built a burger, and put it on Vine...

Structure:

1. Warburton's half and half roll, toasted.
2. French's and Ketchup.
3. Chopped lettuce.
4. Waitrose pickled gherkins, sliced.
5. East London Steak Company 8oz Black Label Burger, seasoned and cooked for 2 minutes each side in cast iron pan (med-rare).
6. Cloched slice of Jarlsberg (sweet nutty cheese that complements aged beef).
7. Crisp rashers of smoked, streaky bacon.
8. Hamburger Me! special sauce (mayo, ketchup, French's, chopped gherkin, chopped capers,  lemon juice, paprika - blitzed with food processor).

Two Nights Only - A Burger Supper Club at Bedford and Strand

The latest Two Nights Only, the burger supper club created by James Morgan and Chris Todd, has landed at Bedford & Strand.

The London Burger from Two Nights Only

As before, it was a quality meat and booze fuelled evening. Here's how it went down...