[Unfortunately Bean & Loaf closed down in late 2017. The food franchise now exists only in Italy]
Our incessant search for the Greatest Bacon Cheeseburger of them all leads us to the limits of Hamrun & St. Venera. On the grounds of the historic 7up factory, we nowadays find a stylish and modern cafe with a penchant for Burger food. Opened in 2015, Bean & Loaf is run by Ortobello, a Milan-based diner that specialises in wholesome and homely food.
The front of the house is run by Juan, who’s originally from Equador, but worked for a number of years at Ortobello in Milan before relocating to Malta. We ask Juan about their Bacon Cheeseburger, which they aptly named the “New York Meatpacking District”, after the renown neighbourhood in Manhattan. This burger is a favourite at Ortobello in Milan and has now become a staple in the Malta Bean & Loaf menu. Chef Ciccio gets ready and whips two burgers in record time! These Italians mean serious business when it comes to food!
The patty is made from a selection of Scottish beef, worked in with onions, mozzarella, bread crumbs, chili peppers, mustard and egg. There’s a reason for all these ingredients that make up the patty. Indeed it did not crumble or fall apart. The taste is excellent after all Scottish cows are renowned for producing delicious, high quality beef, partly due to the climate and overall topography, that create the perfect conditions for beef cattle to thrive.
The bacon, one of the heroes of this burger was sourced locally by a London-based chef, who Ortobello flew especially here since they wanted to get their hands on the best local bacon for their breakfast menu. You don’t get 1 or 2 thin strips of bacon like we are usually accustomed to with other bacon burgers! Bacon is abundant and plentiful to satisfy the hungriest of eaters. It also makes the burger bigger and high standing.
On top does the Dorset cheddar cheese, which has a milder flavour and a somewhat softer texture than regular cheddar. This variety of cheese is smoked over oak chips, which bestows it with a distinctive smoky flavour. We love that!
Bean & Loaf also do their own BBQ sauce with ketchup, cane sugar, onions, paprika and Jack Daniels to keep on enhancing the current smokey theme of the burger to perfection.
Caramelised red onions, salad and tomatoes complete a burger chock full of flavour and goodness.
Bean & Loaf also stock a selection of exclusive Italian beers, Spanish ciders and International wines. Leave it to Juan; he will not disappoint to recommend an appropriate drink for your particular taste buds. We opted for an Oreo Milkshake, which seems to be a favourite of many patrons and can be prepared with different milk on request.
This is one protein & calorie superbomb of a burger you won’t regret eating every time you dream of bacon & cheese. The Italian geniuses at Ortobello have managed to concoct the right ingredients for an unforgettable whirlpool of flavours. If you love Bacon Cheeseburgers as we do, you now know where you’re heading next!
