BILLS – BILLS HAMBURGER

– Liverpool One 

Bills can easily be misinterpreted from its name as it’s rings familiar to an American style diner, but don’t be mislead. Bills is a contemporary, relaxed environment that offers dressed up traditional meals. 

‘Bills hamburger’ was 1 of 1 beef burger on the menu which left me very little choice. Unfortunately i felt forced to add an extra counterpart (cheese) to the burger as it sounded quite bland.  

((Toasted bun, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickles, horseradish mayo & cheddar cheese)) 

The size of the burger was not overwhelming which made for easy eating. Given 80% of the burger was organic vegetables I didn’t feel too much guilt after finishing it. The beef tomato, lettuce, pickles and onions were very fresh and full of juices, giving the burger a range of earthly flavours. The beef burger itself was also very beefy, cooked just right so it fell apart in your mouth, effortless pleasure. 

Next time I visit ‘Bills’ it’ll be for something other than this burger, but I’m glad I experienced it. Burger rating: 4 out of 10.

P.s- the chocolate brownie was daamn good. 

-Figrman 

GOURMET BURGER KITCHEN – THE STACK

– Trafford Centre, Manchester 

After being absent from my beloved burger restaurant Gourmet Burger Kitchen, it was well overdue that I payed a visit. A total revamp of the burger menu took me by surprise but left me intrigued on what was to come. Honestly, it looked pretty lacklustre not holstering any gems and more importantly didn’t leave me wanting to order the whole menu. 

With great anticipation I had decided to start with ‘THE STACK’ ingredients; (Grilled chorizo, Red Leicester cheese, house onion ring, smoked chilli mayo, rocket, pickled onions, house relish). I think you’ll all agree that it sounds pretty typical of GBK?

As expected I didn’t find this burger hard to polish off, but that didn’t mean there weren’t any cons. The whole ingredient match up as a collective just didn’t blend together well, the onion ring was in a some of breadcrumb batter which is just incorrect, come on GBK. The chilli mayo, and house relish cancelled themselves out once together on this burger but the chorizo on the other hand. The chorizo was not in short supply and together with the burger and the cheese, was quite lovely. 

Overall it wasn’t GBK, it was more of Chiquito trying their hardest. And that’s still an achievement at any rate. Burger rating; a 6 out of 10. 

–Figrman

LAS IGUANAS – BURGER

– 4 Pepper Street, Chester 

Not often do I venture to the city of Chester but considering it’s close to home and from recent experiences, I’ll find myself as a regular visitor very soon. 

Las Iguanas is quite unordinary and mysterious yet just a typical city restaurant chain providing moderately priced, well constructed meals. Given Las Iguanas is a Latin American style restaurant they only father two beef burgers, a chicken burger and a black bean burger, this is not adequate Las Iguanas. 

I confidently went with the ‘Burger’, you heard correctly, it’s called ‘Burger’, it’s ingredients are more interesting, honest. 

(100% prime short rib & chuck beef patty & caramelised onions – Toasted brioche bun smothered in a creamy tomato & gherkin sauce with beef tomato and baby gem) 

The first bite made me feel like all that mattered was the remaining time I had with the burger. Sounds strange, right? but you haven’t had this burger yet. It was devilishly quiet on the menu and I can’t form words to describe it. After the first bite I was extremely happy because I then knew I had at least another 6 left until it was just an empty plate. 

I still can’t describe why the burger was so uniquely special, just one of them isn’t enough time to break down it’s attributes. All I know is Las Iguanas should rename it as ‘Everyone should have this before they die burger‘. 

Burger rating a 9.4 out of 10. 

– Figrman