Let’s all admit that you can’t get better than a great burger. They come in any shape and size you can imagine, they’ll satisfy the hunger of carnivores, vegetarians and vegans alike, they can be topped with pretty much anything imaginable (just check out some of the examples below!) and they’re portable!
Such an iconic dish surely deserves some real celebration, and Thursday 25th August marks National Burger Day! So, whether you love yours cheesy, meaty, vegan or tenderized by Mongols (see below…!), here are NE1’s pick of some of the best burgers in town!
Meat:Stack, Bigg Market
Meat:Stack started life at the Quayside Market and is now one of the ‘go-to’ places in the city for stacked American-style cheeseburgers. They favour a ‘smashed, steamed and served fast’ cooking method, which means the patty stays juicy and delicious. Their accompanying sauces and toppings are inventive and their Breakfast Stack Muffins are the stuff of legend and will ensure you start your day right. For National Burger Day they’re offering up the Double Double (pictured), which features four beef patties, smoky mountain mayo, house green relish, raw onion, lettuce and chipotle BBQ – grab one fast, it’s available for one day only!
Lola Jeans, Market Street
We couldn’t write a burger article and not include the burger champions, Lola Jeans. Winning Battle of the Burger for five consecutive years tells us they take no prisoners. But are we really surprised? They serve up locally sourced, award-winning sandwiches with a special Lola Jeans seasoning on every burger. Winning dishes include the Duke, which features American cheese, smoked streaky bacon, blackened chorizo, Korean sweet bell peppers and ranch dressing, and the Clancy Wiggum, with American cheese, smoked streaky bacon, red onion jam, baconnaise, Tennessee BBQ and bacon frazzles.
Burger Eat Shake Repeat, Dean Street
Relatively new to the city’s dining scene, Burger Eat Shake Repeat deliver perfectly seasoned gourmet burgers, lovingly handcrafted and made with all natural ingredients. Their burgers are definitely Insta-worthy thanks to their colourful buns, but the taste is even dreamier. If you’re not in a savoury mood, give one of their unique Dessert Burgers a try – sweet brioche buns are filled with ice cream, sauce and toppings like Oreo, Biscoff, Nutella or Kinder Bueno. They’re also offering a £10 deal on National Burger Day including a burger and a shake. Bargain!
Here's a quick fact pit-stop between burgers... Did you know that the origins of the humble burger dates from the first Century? Ground mince, pine nuts, peppers and flavourings of wine and fermented fish sauce went into the Romans’ first attempt. The Mongols took it to the next level in the 13th Century, carrying slabs of beef under their saddles to tenderize them during a day’s riding. Nowadays, we prefer our patties in buns with copious side dishes, but each to their own…
Hard Rock Café, Sandhill
Only a legendary burger experience would be worthy of such an iconic restaurant, and the world-renowned Hard Rock Cafe more than delivers! Housed in the beautiful Guildhall building on the Quayside, the vibe is all about casual American dining with a rocky twist, and their legendary steak burger menu includes the likes of the Surf & Turf, accompanied by spicy shrimp, and the Whey Aye burger, served with Northumberland cheese, Newcy Brown onion compote and a pease pudding beignet.
Smash Burger, Eldon Square
Located in Eldon Square, Smash Burger’s fresh approach attempts to help the nation to ‘burger better’ thanks to their smashed, seared, and seasoned-to-order dishes. There’s a host of toppings to try on beef, chicken or veggie burgers, with combinations like chicken and sauteed chestnut mushrooms with truffle mayo or the veggie spicy jalapeno baja with fresh chillies, Monterey Jack cheese and chipotle mayo.
FED’s Fried Chicken, Grainger Market
It’s no exaggeration to say that that FED’s are the kings of fried chicken in the Grainger Market. Their juicy chicken is sourced from a farm in the Yorkshire Wolds, brined in sweet tea and dredged in their special spice mix to create a flavourful and juicy burger. They also serve up tenders and sides aplenty, from BBQ beans to sausage gravy, slaw and seasoned fries, plus their Cauli-Bomb veggie option is sublime!
Hancock, Hancock Street
Head to The Hancock for some delicious pub grub which won’t break the bank. Hosting a range of gourmet burgers in a toasted brioche bun, from the Southern Fried Chicken Stack to the juicy Notorious P.I.G., their great offer of a burger and a drink for only £7.95 is available all day, every day!
Bijoux Burger, Mosley Street
Heading for a boogie at Bijoux? Why not take a detour next door to Bijoux Burgers for something a little cheesy! Some of their specialities include The Big Frazzle with smoked bacon and onion jam, The Hangover with black pudding, candy bacon, American cheese and a fried egg or The Zero bean pattie with vegan cheddar. As with everything Bijoux does, you can enjoy a house classic with a little twist that everyone will love!
Fat Hippo, Shakespeare Street
Now taking the UK by storm, the Fat Hippo family have also grown their very own fleet. However, if you would like to enjoy a juicy burger in the heart of the city centre, they’re one of the top spots in the city. Whether you like it hot and spicy, cool and mild, or fancy chicken, beef or a vegan option, they have it all! Their special menu for National Burger Day (and the whole of August, incidentally) includes the mega-sounding Aperol Chickz (pictured): brined, double fried boneless buttermilk chicken, Parmesan crunch, gem lettuce, cheesy bacon garlic crumb, creamy Caesar and soaked in Aperol hot honey butter!
Five Guys, Northumberland Street
Everyone loves a Five Guys. The American success story serve up an astonishing range of options (boasting 250,000 possible topping combinations!) for burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches. They even serve a ‘little’ version for those with smaller appetites that can’t manage two patties. Don’t leave without giving their ‘boardwalk style’ fries, cooked in peanut oil, a try!
So now you have some of the city’s best burger options at your fingertips, the only problem is deciding which one to visit first!
