Yesterday I attended my third National Burger Day festival – and the realisation that you’re not just visiting London anymore sinks in when it’s the third time in a row you’ve visited an annual festival. After hours of agonising anticipation and menu-reading, my Partner in Crime and I arrived early; firstly because we could, and secondly to avoid the long queues that form once the post work crowd arrives around 6.30pm. The early bird catches the burger.
At 4.30pm, Hawker House in Canada Water is a bit of a strange location. Nestled among big apartment blocks it has an American feel to it, sort of in the middle of nowhere, or so thinks my PiC. With the 30 degree sun beating down on us, having Hawker House occupied by just a smattering of people is rather lovely.
At last year’s festival we accidentally picked the best burger of the evening first, and then it was all downhill from there, well as downhill as pretty good burgers can get. Le Bun’s, Le Mac, was my first choice and phwoar was it going to be hard to beat.
The gorgeous indulgence of truffle perfectly matches two juicy patties, zingy pickles and Le Bun’s take on Big Mac Sauce. Killer bun too. My goodness was it excellent. Look at her. Just look at her!
Next up was the Candy Bacon Flipper from Motherflipper.
A bloody good example of the classic bacon cheeseburger, with maple syrup fried bacon, juicy patties, American cheese and demi-brioche bun.
The ticket included a can of Budweiser, or as it should be called But-why-sir? We took a sip and promptly tossed it in the bin. Luckily, unlike previous years, this year the craft beer was a flowin’. Frontier, Sierra Nevada, The Wild Beer Co. Aaaaaaah. The pickleback and chilliback shots of whisky and tequila respectively were thoroughly enjoyed as per usual (these also are included in your ticket price).
After a little break, and some tragic news – my friend who I was meeting there didn’t book tickets and rocked up to find it was sold out. I thought he had wangled industry tickets, but alas not. Sorry, Eliot – it was time to get eating again. Another great reason to go early, you can give yourself appropriate down time between courses to maximise your potential.
Reading through the menu again and again, there were only another two burgers that tickled our fancy. I’m all about keeping it as classic as possible with small twists. I didn’t want any chicken burgers, burgers with calamari rings atop, burgers with Asian flavours, not discrediting these, and I am sure they were delicious, I just didn’t want them.
Never having had a burger from Chuck Burger (not to be confused with my awful Chuck Burger experience in Adelaide, Australia) I was excited to try The Firestarter.
This burger was awesome. Perfectly cooked patty and a delicious flavour and heat given by the salsa and chilli mayo. The pancetta added a salty kick and just look at the sheen on that bun. Hard to fault. Drool.
Last was a burger from Dip’n’Flip, which according to me serves London’s best burger. You know you’re in for some serious burger action when you receive a glove to use. This baby was called the Green Chilli Cheese Soaker.
Look at her. Swimming in juice. She was everything you could ever want in a burger. Fried green chillies gave just enough heat and the cabbage slaw brought a touch of creamy refreshment to the succulent patty and all of that gravy. A wonderful note to end on.
Another year, another round of crazy good burgers. merriment and funny hats. Until we meet again…
