Category: burger

the best burgers I’ve ever eaten

Post author By Gary @ BigSpud
Post date April 22, 2023
1 Comment on the best burgers I’ve ever eaten

What makes a perfect burger? Is it the quality of the beef? A brioche bun? Loads of toppings? Ability to hold it in two hands? I’m not sure I can make a list myself, as it’s a little bit of how I’m feeling at the time. Sometimes a greasy burger van burger with a pile of slightly singed onions is perfect when I’m in the mood, and I don’t mind a Quarter Pounder with Cheese either. But I don’t think you want to read a list of those, so instead to celebrate National Burger Month here is a list of the best burgers I’ve ever eaten from decent places. I’m also not bothering to include sizeable chains – I’m a big fan of Five Guys all the way – but instead here’s a few more unusual places. So, here’s a top 3 of the best burgers I’ve ever eaten in no particular order…

Henry Burgers

This quirky little venue in Leigh on Sea hopes to invoke ‘speakeasy vibes’. Not sure I’m qualified to comment on that but the burgers they sell are sensational. There’s a range of hot dogs, cocktails and milkshakes but the burgers are where it’s at. This Swiss Toni burger has a loose meat patty, a smoked Swiss cheese, bacon and a potent BBQ sauce. With an appropriately sized brioche bun and just the right amount of salad garnish to give you that fresh crunch. Super savoury, super good.

Henry Burgers website

Burger Joint

This burger joint is located inside the fancy Le Parc Meridien in New York. I’d seen Heston Blumenthal visit this place while researching his In Search of Perfection burger and knew I had to go too. While on holiday I went in, crossing the marble reception and walking past the tuxedoed concierge. I felt severely underdressed in my jeans and tracksuit top, but I pressed on until I found the door on the other side of the hotel – I’d missed it. I retraced my steps and then saw a black curtain, with a neon sign maybe 10 metres in the distance. I followed it to the end and scurried down some steps. Suddenly I was in a time warp, thrown from polished opulence to a dingy diner. Exposed brickwork, scruffy tin signs, red leatherette banquettes… it was like an episode of Happy Days. You start to queue, and the sign over the top says ‘if you don’t know what you want by the time you get to the front, you go to the back.’ I agreed with Heston, “it gave me nostalgia for something I didn’t experience the first time around.”

I don’t have my own photo of this one, as it was so long ago. And so long ago that I remember the sensation of eating it, rather than actually what it was. Was the burger itself actually that good? I’m not certain any more, but I remember enjoying it because of where I was. So much of having a great meal is everything around the food. It’s the setting, the ambience, having a good time, feeling comfortable, the right thing at the right time.

I think this website will show you where it is, but it isn’t even listed on Le Parc Meridien’s website!

The Cow

I popped here on a whim on holiday in the Isle of Wight last year. It was such a great burger when we decided to come back to the island we booked this immediately. It’s sensational.

The Cow is situated On Tapnell farm so the food miles for the burgers are practically zilch. The burger itself tastes peppery and incredibly savoury, with flecks of crunch where it has caught the grill fire. The Classic pictured above is served with predictable but spot-on toppings like tomato, cheese and lettuce (I added bacon, because why not) and it’s the perfect combo. The dirty fries are an added bonus. I highly recommend a trip to the Island just to grab a burger at The Cow.

The Cow restaurant

Closer to home, here’s some of my favourite burgers I’ve made:

What’s the best burger you’ve ever had? Let me know in the comments.

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burger food lettuce sweet potato turkey

turkey burger bowls with sweet potato fries and roasted tomato salad

Post author By Gary @ BigSpud
Post date February 8, 2016
No Comments on turkey burger bowls with sweet potato fries and roasted tomato salad

Looking for a healthier alternative to a hamburger and fries? Try turkey burger bowls with sweet potato fries!

It will come as no surprise that over 70% of us resolve to be healthier in the new year, but research from Sainsbury’s reveals that in fact two thirds of us will spend almost a full day more (22 hours) watching TV in January and 1/3 of us end up eating more comfort foods in January than any other month. Great for crushing those box-sets, bad for keeping to your resolutions.

In an attempt to try and get a balance between satisfying foods and weight-concious, Sainsbury’s asked me to come up with a recipe that strikes a balance. Others have swapped beef for lentils, spaghetti for courgetti, and using avocado in a chocolate mousse. It’s called “ComFit foods”, classic comfort foods with a healthy twist.

I love a burger, but it’s not a healthy treat. So I looked at it and picked it apart so it was still recognisable and importantly good to eat. So here I’ve used turkey a naturally lean meat. I’ve added seeds for a good boost of nutrients, and crucially the bun is gone. So you don’t miss having fries I’ve also included quick oven-baked sweet potato fries.

So if you’re craving a burger but want to skip some of the guilt, try these turkey burger bowls!

Find some more ComFit recipes here

turkey burger bowls with sweet potato fries and roasted tomato salad

Course Main Dish

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Servings 4 people

Author Gary @ BigSpud

Ingredients

For the patties

750 g turkey mince
2 cream crackers
1 tablespoon mixed seeds
1 egg beaten
1 teaspoon English mustard
1 teaspoon honey

For the salad

4 sweet potatoes
300 g cherry tomatoes
1 iceberg lettuce

For the sauce

75 g natural yoghurt
30 g tomato ketchup
1 teaspoon burger mustard

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 210c. Wash the sweet potatoes, cut into wedges and put on to a baking tray. Put the tomatoes on a separate baking tray lined with greaseproof paper. Season tomatoes and sweet potatoes with salt and pepper, give each a drizzle of olive oil and pop in the oven. They will cook in about 30 minutes.
For the sauce, mix all the ingredients and put to one side until needed.
In a bowl crush the crackers and seeds together until no large bits of cracker remain. Add the turkey, mustard and honey with a dash of salt and pepper and mix thoroughly to combine. Form into four burger patty shapes.
In a large frying pan, add a little oil and use a piece of kitchen towel to wipe it around the pan so there is a thin coating. Fry the burgers for around 9 - 12 minutes, flipping every minute until cooked through.
Meanwhile shred the lettuce and use it to line four bowls. Add the tomatoes and potatoes from the oven, top with a burger and serve the dressing on the side.

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burger food restaurant review

le garrick restaurant review

Post author By Gary @ BigSpud
Post date May 14, 2015
3 Comments on le garrick restaurant review

I do love a burger. Like everyone else seems to at the moment; it’s difficult to chuck a brioche without hitting a trendy burger outlet. Whether it’s hand-reared cattle, wagyu steaks or ten patties in a bun each place has it’s own gimmick. So when it comes to National Burger Month there’s no shortage of eateries looking to join in. This includes non-burger specialists, like French restaurant Le Garrick (Garrick Street, Covent Garden).

Le Garrick has been in the well-trafficked theatre location for nearly 30 years. When I mentioned the place to a colleague they gushed about the steak they’d had there previously. It’s clear the place is aiming square at the brasserie style with it’s mahogany tables, wicker baskets and kooky alcoves. Greeted by Jacques and Martha, I took to my chair with house bread – a decent, crisp baguette – and recommended by the waiter, I started with Basque-inspired calamari rings.

The calamari rings were well cooked although I found the broth flavoured with chilli, coriander and ginger a little too spicy. It left quite the tickle in my throat. Not to say I didn’t paw at the bowl with spare bread though…

To the reason I was here: the Le Garrick burger. They would prefer it described as a steak hache of course; a blend of beef and lamb with cucumber and tomato, on a soft bun and topped with either blue cheese or Emmental (I plumped for creamy blue). The burger is meaty and tasty and the salad fresh and crunchy. The blue cheese provides a great seasoning. But the revelation is the dill-powered French dressing, the bright and piquant notes are sharp against the umami. It’s a really tasty burger and with a pile of frites on the side it makes a cracking indulgent lunch.

I was also recommended the tarte au citron by the waiter. I found it a bit disappointing. While the texture was perfectly smooth and the pastry crisp it lacked the haymaker punch of lemon I would hope for. After all it’s a French classic in a French restaurant – I’d expect it to be top-notch.

The service was great and the atmosphere convivial, and I’d definitely go back for the burger alone. During May the burger is 30% off, which means for £12.50 you get the burger with a side of fries plus a drink (house wine, beer or soft drink). Pretty good value for a hearty meal in the West End.

I dined as a guest of Le Garrick. Views are my own.

Tel: 020 7240 7649
Email: info@legarrick.co.uk

burger cheese food noodles pizza steak

what’s new – march round-up

Post author By Gary @ BigSpud
Post date March 31, 2015
No Comments on what’s new – march round-up

There’s been a lot going on recently , so I thought I’d share with you a quick round up of what’s been happening…

Comte cheese workshop

Comte cheese held a cookery workshop. I absolutely love Comte cheese: smooth, nutty and full of flavour. And really versatile, as evidenced by what we cooked. Check out these beautiful scones:

We also made a delcious chicken and tarragon pie flavoured with Comte.

Cooksister gave it a much more thorough round up, with photos at least 800% better than mine. Go give it a read for the full recipe.

If you haven’t tried Comte, look for it in the supermarket – you won’t be disappointed.

Noodle Kids

I’ve fallen in love with this charming little book.

It uses the American meaning of the word ‘noodle’ taking in any and all pasta recipes. There’s making your own pasta, gnocchi, slurpy soups and all sorts. The book is infused with good humour and is especially written with young families in mind. We had great fun having a “ramen party” with our five year old, where I cooked up broth and noodles and provided a buffet of all sorts of tasty things to add to the bowl “provided there was at least two vegetables”.

I loved it. Available from Amazon.

Pizza Express 50th Birthday

Wouldn’t you know it – Pizza Express is 50 years old this year. To celebrate Pizza Express have revamped their old classics, taking them from great to excellent. Check out the “American Hottest”, a spin on the original American Hot:

More chillies, more peppers, more pepporoni! I tried this and the other modern classics out, and they’re all great fun. They’ve also opened a competition where you can design your own pizza. The prize is £10,000 and a holiday! Try it yourself.

Sainsbury’s lunch ideas

Sainsbury’s have a new range of lunch inspirations. I’ve tried the chicken tikka masala (in a clever microwavable tin), grain pot and tom yum noodle pot as below: