bacon

Just Asia

Liselott and her international team of burger mongers are unstoppable. They keep churning new burgers every month, and August is no exception. This time around they have come up with something that might sound odd at first glance: An Asian Burger?! Maltese are big-time lovers of Asian cuisine, and most if not all Maltese love burgers in one form or another. But what happens when you mash and combine the two? Have Just Burger started a new local burger craze or is this a big miss?

To find out, we need to head to the infamous Plaza Shopping Center, in the heart of Sliema. Once there, a poster on one of the wall reads “You don’t need a silver fork to eat good food”, and so we set forth to bite our burger with bare hands, no cutlery necessary!

This burger tastes Asian from the very base, which is made from bok choy, which is a deep green leafy vegetable that resembles Romaine lettuce on top and celery on the bottom! Bok choy is very related to cabbage. Here, it’s boiled and then grilled. It’s packed with vitamins but tastes slightly bitter, like mustard greens. This is why we have a red & white cabbage slaw on top. The cabbage mix is marinated in Asian spices. We could taste honey, ginger and soy sauce, and the slaw not only tastes delicious but creates a very colourful layer in the burger. It adds great texture, crunch and an unmistakable flavour to the burger as a whole.

At the heart of every Just Burger, there’s a patty made from 140g of Angus Beef. The hand-formed patty has a thick crust marked with crunchy spots of char. The beef is always juicy and lands a beefy punch to the rest of the vegetable ingredients. The beef was a bit on the pink side for our personal tastes, but we know that many burger lovers like it like that.

Every burger does well with some bacon, as this one is no exception! The Asian Burger is topped with a mix of bacon crumble and chopped spring onions. We love crunchy bacon, and Just Burger have managed to get a delicious crisp in their bacon bits. We hope that they will be using these bacon bits more in their other burgers, as they seem to have got the crunchiness level more than right.

The bun is made from a Swedish recipe and produced by a local bakery. They have a gluten-free bread option too, which is very welcome by many. The bun is spread with lime and chilli mayo. And this is what drives the whole burger over the top! The combination of sweet chilli sauce with mayo and lime creates the best added Asian condiment anyone could wish for. All of these Asian flavours come together so well that propel the burger into overdrive mode, bringing you one unforgettable bite. There was enough spread on the top to permeate every bite and unite all the burger’s components. After you taste this, you will never want to go back to standard bacon burgers again!

Every burger has one Achilles’ heel, and this one is its longevity: it will only be available during August! We hope that Just burger will consider adding this one to their menu. Otherwise, we will have to drive to Sliema every single day for the next 30 days! A tender, juicy burger infused with Asian spices is no easy feat, and Just Burger have excelled themselves and come up with their BEST burger to date! It encapsulates the four essential Asian flavours in the mix: spicy, sweet and salty, with a well-balanced tang.

We hope that Just Burger will keep on experimenting with new burger concoctions and come up with something even greater. In the meantime, we’re off to Sliema again, as there’s an Asian burger waiting for us!

Hank’s : Legendary BBQ Chicken Burger

Legend has it that in the mid-1980s, an American gentleman settled in the UK. Known as “Hank” amongst his newfound friends, his American cuisine soon made the rounds of the country, and our protagonist opened an all-American bar and grill in his new homeland. What started out as a UK based franchise in 1985 expanded to 15 or so bars around the world from London to Bangkok, Beirut to Ibiza.

It’s 1995, and Hank’s comes to Malta and finds a new home in St. George’s Bay at the Corinthia Hotel. Back in the day, one of the first staples on the menu was the BBQ Chicken Burger, and that’s what we are here for today! We want to see if this burger is as Legendary as the name implies. Hank’s have been honing this burger for 22 years, so we’re not going to settle for anything but the best chicken on the planet. Luckily we’re in no hurry, and patrons get 3 hours of free parking at the Corinthia complex, so anyone can enjoy their food at a leisurely pace.

Amidst the Americana memorabilia and street signs (they bear the names of the men who built this place) we find Chef Eric who’s been fulfilling the hungry dreams of tens of thousands of patrons for the past 6 years. Today he’s single-handedly running the kitchen, and he’s set to impress with his grilling skills.

At the heart of the Burger, we get two pieces of chicken fillet breasts. They are marinated in Cajun spice, paprika and garlic. There is no fancy batter, so we get to enjoy the chicken meat au naturel. On top go two pieces of back bacon. We love back bacon as it includes both the loin from the pork back and some belly in the same cut. It’s much leaner than the streaky variety and meatier! The BBQ sauce is made in-house and adds a very smoky flavoursome taste to the whole burger. Melted Emmental cheese provides a slightly nutty flavour and holds all the meat elements well-stacked together. Caramelised onions, lettuce, tomatoes and sliced onions make up the vegetable part of the burger. The expertly toasted sesame bun is made locally for Hank’s, with Mustard mayo spread on top. We also get coleslaw on the side.

We love to have options when it comes to sides, and Hank’s have a selection of French fries and jacket potatoes. The jacket potatoes with melted Emmental Leicester cheese are a must if you love the more mushy potato style as we do, but for those who adore classic fries, Hank’s are crispy and perfectly salted as they come.

There’s a lot of right things to like with the BBQ chicken burger. This culinary creation is packed with flavours, and there’s no wonder why patrons have been flocking to try it out for the past 22 years. If you want to keep your caloric count down, this is definitely the next burger to try out.

On the other hand, if you’re like us and don’t mind an extra calorie here and there, then it’s a Cardinal Sin to go to Hank’s and not try out the Warm Fudge Brownie! This sweet delicacy is made from classic brownies with a delicate crust and moist, velvety centre. It’s topped with pecan nuts and thick vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and yummy marshmallows. In our opinion, this tops Hank’s dessert menu and is in a sweet league of its own. For those who prefer ice cream, Hank has his own speciality Sundae, with three flavoured scoops of ice cream, brownie chunks, cherries, chocolate sauce and whipped cream.

Hank should be proud of how the Maltese are running his original concept and making a good impression in burger land. #MALTAburgers would love to see Hank come up with a new Legendary burger to challenge our taste buds.

King of Bacon

When we think of a juicy, sizzling, flame grilled burger, there is one particular name that comes to mind… Burger King. Home of America’s favorite burger, the Whopper, have years of advertising, subconsciously induced us to go to Burger King every time we need to eat a quick burger meal, or are these burgers really that good?

Today, we have a good excuse to find out, as Burger King is proposing a new burger… The Bacon King.

Why is it The King over all the other lineup of BK burgers? It’s because this burger features two beef patties, eight strips of thick cut bacon, four slices of American cheese, ketchup and mayo, all sandwiched between a toasted sesame seed bun.

This is definitely a meat feast for all vegetable-haters! We’ve seen people, like Big Bertu the Bugernator, whose first act after unwrapping a burger is to get rid of the lettuce and tomatoes! These people will love the Bacon King, as they get to bite off at the meat immediately!

The burger was initially available last October in America but only made it to Europe in the past weeks.

The Bacon King features two flame-grilled beef patties. These are the large Whopper variety 113gr ones. Burger King has two sizes of patties, the larger ones they use in their Whoppers and the smaller ones they use in their other hamburgers. They spared no expense with the Bacon King, and that makes this a very hefty burger. The diameter of the burger itself is much larger than your standard McDonalds. The beef patties are grilled 4 in a row, and since the thickness is consistent, they are always cooked at the right temperature. You just pop the patties in, and the griller does a fast job. The guys & gals in food-making area have done the process so many times that they work like a perfectly oiled machine, and build a burger in almost record time.

With a total of 225gr of beef, this one is plenty meaty. It’s a calorie big shot at 1040 cals, but gym lovers will love the 57gr of protein! Big eaters will care less, so let’s just move on!

At the heart of the King, we have eight pieces of thick-cut smoked bacon. If there is anything we love more than cat youtubes, it’s Bacon! It’s plentiful. However, we wish it was a bit crispier. Somewhat like the hard bacon, we get in our English breakfast! We think that BK does the bacon the way it is, so you get a “soft” eating experience without any hard crunching going on in your mouth.

Of both sauces, the ketchup mostly prevailed over the mayo, making the burger a bit more on the tangy side. Despite all the sauces, there is no mess or spill. The King manages to keep its act together.

The buns have been perfectly engineered to house the patties. They fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. The taste and texture of the bread are one of the highlights of this burger. Indeed the bread is all baked locally, Maltese-style, and it shows.

We always like the Burger King fries. They are crunchy, precisely salted and slightly less calorific than McDonald’s ones. However, BK has managed to better themselves one up with their Curly fries. These fries are even crunchier than the standard ones. And we love the shape! BK should strongly consider having these as an option ALL YEAR ROUND! Get an extra bbq or chili sauce dip, and you’re set in heaven!

There is a lot to like about the Bacon King burger. In essence, it’s the meat and cheese brother of the double Whopper, with loads of bacon but minus the vegetables. Bacon-wise, it crushes down McDonald’s Crispy McBacon like a collision between a bike and a concrete truck. Unless you have a huge appetite, there’s enough bacon & meat to feed two!

Bacon CheeseBurger Story: The Italian Connection

[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!

Sunny, with a chance of Bacon & Cheese

The Bacon Cheeseburger has been an American staple burger for aeons. Some of you have recently brought to our attention a restaurant where we could find such a burger, done with a unique flair. #MALTAburgers head off to the picturesque Balluta Bay, where amidst the long-standing Carmelite Parish Church and town houses adorned with Georgian architecture, we find our destination for the day… U Bistrot. Tucked in the corner next to the 18th Century Villa Cassar Torregiani, this unassuming restaurant has a history. Until a few years back it was mostly known for its healthy organic juices. The trend has now expanded to food. Indeed U Bistrot carries a very calorie conscious menu that changes every week, but sincerely that’s not on our agenda of the day as we’re here for the bacon, cheese & meat!

Let’s see if the bacon cheeseburger really lives up to the good words of our readers… The patty is prepared in-house and is made from 200g of locally sourced beef. We didn’t taste any herbs and spices mixed with the meat, so we could fully enjoy the flavour of the meat. As soon as we request well-cooked-through meat, the Chef smiles and asserts that this is his speciality. Indeed he manages to hit a home run with our burgers, as the temperature is as perfect as requested, yet the meat is juicy and packed with flavour as it should be. The first point goes to U Bistrot!

The burger is topped with crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, caramelised onions and BBQ sauce. With all that turmoil of goodness going on in between the toasted buns, the flavours of all these ingredients were all there and could be savoured individually. The bacon, which is the most important part of this burger is crispy and has a good crunch. It also melded with the cheese creating a new kind of tasty condiment. This is definitely the bacon cheeseburger to beat when it comes to the harmony of condiments! And so the second point goes to U Bistrot.

And here comes the kicker: U Bistrot bake their own bread! The buns have a subtle floury flavour, and are very moist, with a fluffy texture, yet sturdy enough to hold all the burger contents with great poise. As much as we loved the bacon & meat, the bread is so savoury and delicious that it deserves its own trophy. So there goes the third and final point to U Bistrot.

Mind you, you also get roasted potatoes and a side salad with the burger, just in case you’re a vegetable lover. We also loved the style of furniture around the restaurant, and the pots of fresh herbs that the chef uses in his dishes. U Bistrot have managed to keep the organic roots of this place, and also prepare cold pressed fruit juices. You can select different fruits from their list of ingredients, and create your own juice. We went for the Apple and ginger, which proved to be the perfect follow-up to the bacon cheeseburger.

“You must do something exciting every day. You must enjoy your life.” This is the motto of U Bistro, and thanks to their bacon cheeseburger offering, we managed to do both today! Looking forward to the next one!