JustBurger

Traditionally Maltese

(Just Burger was taken over in March 2019 by new Peruvian owners. This feature only reflects the good burger-ship Just Burger did until February 2019.)

A good burger is a thing of beauty. A burger made with traditional Maltese ingredients is even better. We all know that Just Burger have already created numerous burgers with typical Maltese ingredients. So why do we need yet another iteration? This month they took it upon themselves to create the King of all Maltese burgers. So can you blame us for being so hyped up and excited?

Just Burger are promising a satisfying manifestation of all things umami: fine chuck beef, goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, minted aubergines and half a dozen other hidden flavours. There are few culinary things that can do such a job so persuasively at such a price point. The first hint of Maltese-ism comes in the form of a bean salad with black olives and sundried tomatoes. This is definitely on the other end of the spectrum from your usual lettuce and tomatoes. It’s a light, refreshing and brightly-coloured salad which is very reminiscent of the Maltese ftira. Dried tomatoes usually have an intense sweet-tartiness and are much more potent than fresh ones, and these have a good punch of tomato piquancy that adds both texture and acidity, thus accentuating the meat with a nice and exquisite flair. Indeed, there’s a level of flavour harmonizing that screams Maltese from the first bite, as the fruity and oily saturation of the veggie mix pushes the overall burger juiciness into sky-high levels.

On top, there’s the renown Just Burger patty made from 140gr of Black Angus chuck. There’s nothing Maltese about this though as the beef is not local, but the patty has been massaged and hand formed by a Maltese chef! It’s a fairly lean cut of beef, and even though it has a low-fat content it’s tasty and juicy and does not feel dry, even when it’s requested at higher temperatures. It brings an instant hit of beefiness that screams of quality as it has an intense and stomach-pleasing flavour. The patty is loosely packed, but not too much so as to spoil the texture. It’s that sort of steak-quality flavour that truly transcends the whole eating experience. The grill flavour was spot-on throughout, leaving you with an extremely enjoyable aftertaste.

The patty is covered with 2 thick slices of peppered goat cheese. This very Gozitan cheese has a sharp & spicy flavour also due to the peppered cresting. It adds a nuance of tang that is most welcome and different, and its creaminess seems to work much better in an all-Maltese theme than other varieties of cheese. When melted, it cascades over the meat, in a gooey form and has an own aged-flavour presence without taking anything away from the meat. This one is definitely punchy goat cheese at its best!

There’s also a good amount of Maltese sausage present. It’s been sliced thickly and then grilled, bringing in that salty and spicy tinge every Maltese loves. The pork mix is very well-balanced, as it’s neither too fatty nor greasy, and you can instantly taste the typical flavours of sea salt, garlic, coriander seeds and parsley. The amount of sea salt used also makes for a slightly salty sausage that has a bit of crunch and texture thanks to the coriander. And let’s not forget that the Maltese sausage is influenced by the English one but is made in accordance with Portuguese traditions… but to us Maltese, it tastes 100 times better than both! The final element is an aubergine puree, with mint and garlic. This creamy and refreshing puree has important moisture-making duties here, and it’s dosed well. The whole burger is encapsulated in a shiny bun that seems to defy all the combined juices. It’s the right side of dense and an excellent vehicle for the meat.

Just Burger have come up with yet another creation that works in a great way. Every ingredient is layered beautifully on top of each other, and even though it has nothing to do with the actual taste itself, it creates a very appealing visual synergy that sets you off to a ceremonial start. The goat cheese might make this burger look somewhat delicate but it explodes in your mouth like a grenade of burger tastiness, from the moment you take the first few bites! This one is definitely a two-hander so you can laugh in the face of cutlery like a giant toddler. It’s a properly big burger done absolutely right and anchored by an array of wisely chosen local ingredients. It was hardly surprising that our stomachs were well satisfied and roundly full by the very last bite.

Cheeseburger²

When it comes to burger classics, cheeseburgers occupy a momentous and prestigious position, especially to Millenials who grew up eating fast food offerings that included a toy! But in terms of ingredient quality and flavour, can any of the worldwide burger joints really stand up to what is being offered today by the more local burger makers? To us, the answer is no, and that’s why we went to Sliema to check out Just Burger‘s new monthly special.

The quality of a cheeseburger often tends to be a good indicator of the level of the rest of the menu. Just Burger are no strangers to cheeseburgers as they have produced quite a few monthly specials based on beef & cheese in the past. This time their monthly special is made up from an Angus beef patty, applewood cheese, crispy onions and a smoked paprika mustard sauce.

Throughout the past 6 years, we found out that many burger makers lie through their teeth. Many claim that they get their beef delivered fresh every morning, whilst in reality, they just use frozen patties from the butcher. Some even want us to believe that they have a secret underground factory that exclusively churns our their patties! We’ve never been believers of mere words. Unless we see a patty being minced and handcrafted, we’re not going to praise any burger maker. Just Burger grind cuts of Black Angus chuck to create their 140gr patty in their own kitchen. There is no magic formula here, it’s just quality Swedish beef, that yields an extra punch of unique flavour. Beef is beef, but it’s all about what you do with it, and the quality and care taken makes a whole world of difference.

The seasoning is as simple as it gets, yet nothing short of flawless. Just Burger don’t add any spices to the meat, just salt & pepper. The patty is crisp on the outside and hot and well cooked through on the inside. Each bite is mouthwateringly juicy and loaded with beefy flavour. The meat is always very tender and almost falls apart, and we really like the consistency that Just Burger always keeps up. From the very first bite, this delicious patty is as juicy as it ought to be, and is grilled with so much love and patience that it’s very hard for us to pinpoint any shortcomings! The patty has a dense texture and is not too fatty. The kitchen guys have erased the word “dry meat” from their vocabulary, and we love that!

With so many varieties of cheeses out there, how do you figure out which is the best one to enhance a juicy patty? That’s an old age dilemma, that until recently had one common answer: American cheese! While this processed option might not be the most real deal, it melts easily and is mild enough to be a sure-fire pairing with any blend of beef. Just Burger are not known for taking shortcuts with their burger specials, so it’s no wonder that this one has no American cheese inside. Indeed, one by one, many fast food outlets are abandoning the century-old American staple and replacing it with fancier cheeses. The qualities for the best cheese for a burger are a combination of flavour and moisture. If it’s something really dry, it won’t melt too well. You want a cheese that naturally melts, yet still keeps some sort of consistency, when you apply heat to it. Enter the Applewood cheese, which brings into play its own kind of flavour. This semi-hard cheese is coated with mild paprika but does not leave a burnt aftertaste. It’s also fair in the melting department because it’s thick so it does not melt away from the burger. The thicker the cheese, the more flavour it imparts. Add that concept to the juicy patty and we already have a winner. You get two fat slabs of it, to make sure that it covers every centimetre of the beef!

The mustard sauce, infused with smoked paprika brings out the juices and vitae of the beef and cheese and drives the whole burger over the top! The combination of paprika and mustard creates the best sauce you could wish for in any cheeseburger. All the 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. The fried onions are a great topper on such a classic burger as this one. These onions are golden crisped and have that oh-so-oniony flavour, yet they don’t seem like veggies amidst all the meat! We love crispy onions, but when they fly all over the place, they are more a nuisance than a blessing. This is not the case here as they are well cemented on the sauce. These fried onions provide crunchiness and add an extra layer of height to the overall size of the burger.

There’s no shredded lettuce or tomatoes in this burger, and the patty sits on a bed of rocket leaves. 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.

Once again, Just Burger never cease to delight us with yet another twist on the classic cheeseburger that is very filling and satisfying. There’s nothing not to like about this burger and the merry guys behind it all. Just Burger have now fine-tuned their winning formula to a high degree with their delectable beef, crispy fries and weekly and monthly distinctive condiments, that brings them way ahead of the competition in the local express food scene.

Just Burger Hit List

(Just Burger was taken over in March 2019 by new Peruvian owners. This feature only reflects the good burger-ship Just Burger did until February 2019.)

No one creates more burgers in one year than Just Burger. They have weekly, monthly, seasonal and sometimes even daily burger specials, that they craftily concoct in their open kitchen in Sliema. Owner Liselott Moazed says that she wanted to bring a Swedish twist to an American classic here in Malta, by focusing on simplicity in the way they prepare and serve food. And that’s what she and her international team of burger mongers have been doing since June 2014. They keep churning out innovative burgers at an absurd rate that not even Shoreditch and NYB can keep up with!

After settling at The Plaza in Sliema in July 2015, they kept working harder at their now-unstoppable trend, to create a memorable burger every month. All their monthly special burgers have two things in common: they taste good, and they are only available for 30 days! Unfortunately all good things come to an end: Just Burger was taken over in March 2019 by new Peruvian owners, new staff and a meager line-up of monthly burgers.

Here are the five Just Burgers we loved the most from the past years, when they were at the best of their game…

Prawn Star

Just Burger, known for their unique and delicious burger specialities, wanted to feed our cravings last October with a Prawn burger. Whilst everyone is topping burgers with sliced pickles, the Just Burger team have turned the classic condiment formula inside out, and put such an extravagant ingredient as the prawn at the very top as if they wanted to keep the summer vibes going! This burger blends together land and sea through a combination of a 140gr Angus beef patty and breaded prawns. All is set on top of a bed of rucola leaves and pickled onions. The patty is topped with traditional cheddar cheese that bolsters the overall richness, and the whole burger is dripped in their own version of the thousand island dressing.

Just Burger have truly created a “Prawn star” of a burger, that tastes as good as ever and is a tremendous surf and turf experience. It does pile high, as it has a premium topping that barely fits into your mouth in one go. Yes, this one is big, juicy and loaded with flavours, and you’ll need to unlock your jaws and unstoppably dive in! This burger is one of those agreeable friends, a sort of reliable buddy whose purpose is to make you happy and make you feel full! We truly hope that they will re-propose this ultimate surf and turf burger in 2019.

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Wellington Burger

The classic Beef Wellington is generally a seared fillet steak coated with Duxelles, wrapped in puff pastry and finished in the oven. And that’s what the culinary team at Just Burger tried to do in September 2017: engineer a beef Wellington in a bun! At the very base, there is a bed of Duxelles made from finely chopped mushrooms and onions, garlic, truffle paste and seasoned with herbs. Fresh baby spinach leaves go on top. Next up is a layer of puff pastry. It’s flaky, light and has a buttery flavour infused with herbs. The golden puff pastry was freshly baked and tastes really crunchy. The pastry is dosed with a portion of chicken gravy, made in-house. The gravy is thick and pasty and brings a salty element in play. The central element of every Just Burger is the beef patty, their signature 140g Angus Beef patty, minced and grilled on the day, in the Just Burger kitchen. There are two slices of Serrano ham on top. Most classic versions of the Beef Wellington do not feature any kind of ham, but many modern recipes do. This is dry-cured Spanish ham which is similar to Italian Prosciutto but is less fatty and has a more concentrated taste. The burger is topped with another layer of puff pastry and gravy.

We foresaw that this would be an open burger, because of the many layers; however, all the ingredients are stacked together in a well thought out way, and the whole burger holds well together, making it easy to bite through all this goodness in a bun. The entire concoction of ingredients is one of the richest and most flavourful burgers we’ve eaten. Making a Beef Wellington from scratch is a hard task, and turning such a classic into a burger is nothing less than an insane amount of work! This burger takes everything that’s instinctively pleasurable about eating an Angus burger and racks it up to further heights.

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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? The Asian Burger appeared on the menu in August 2017.

This burger tastes Asian from the very base, which is made from bok choy and 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. There’s the patty made from 140g of Angus Beef, which is hand-formed and has a thick crust marked with crunchy spots of char. 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. 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!

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Imqarrun Burger

If someone had to turn Malta’s most homely Sunday dish into a glorious burger, it would be Just Burger. We know that others offered something similar, but this one from Just Burger in April of this year was the first one that truly delivered. Imqarrun (baked macaroni casserole) is one of Malta’s most loved traditional dishes. This burger has most of the elements of grandma’s classic; the macaroni, bolognese sauce, meat and bacon. The macaroni is usually topped with a layer of grated cheese that when melted helps to bind everything in one block, and that is here too. Between the burger buns, there’s a layer of crunchy rucola, a chutney made from cherry tomato pulp & pancetta, a 140gr beef patty, provolone cheese, and a mac & cheese croquette.

The chutney used here is a strong talking point in this burger. It’s perfectly reduced and packs a punch with its chunky pieces of tomatoes and rustic flavours. Pancetta makes a wiser substitute for bacon, as it does not have the deep smokey flavour and does not overpower the other ingredients. On the other hand, Provolone, like other pulled-curd cheeses, has a more intense flavour when melted and is often used in casseroles especially in dishes from the North of Italy. The patty is very present as it brings in an instant hit of beef. You can always tell that this is quality beef as it has that delightful and intense flavour. It blends perfectly with the cheese, which sits on top melty and looking cheesy! The mac & cheese is presented in croquette form and is executed with a certain level of French finesse. This is where this burger becomes inimitable. It had to be the culinary team at Just Burger to come up with an exceptional solution for putting macaroni inside a burger without a cheesy mess and unnecessary spills, by encapsulating the baked pasta within a croquette which is exquisitely deep fried to a sterling level of golden crunchiness. This was one true Patriot Burger which we adored and would like to see back on the menu.

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Spicy Summer Strife

7 June 2018 was a hot day. In Sliema, things were a 100° hotter as the Spiciest Burger eating challenge of the Year was taking place. All spicy burgers we’ve seen so far, pale in comparison to what Just Burger have craftily created for this challenge! Apart from the beef patty, which is a supersized 200gr version of the renown Just Burger patty, the burger is an unstable spice bomb. The beef is topped with slices of Mexican Edam Cheese, infused with red hot peppers. Two large habanero poppers stuffed with chilli cream cheese go on top. The bun was spread on both sides with a load of Tabasco, habanero mayo sauce and a jam made from jalapenos, onions, peppers, chilli, vinegar and Harissa (a hot chilli pepper paste). You think that’s more than enough spice in one meal? Wrong! Even the fries got the hot treatment as they were sprinkled with garlic powder, cajun spices and Tabasco. The fumes emanating from the freshly fried fries caused burning and watering to our eyes!

This was a one-of-a-kind specialty burger that was built exclusively for this challenge. It was made to be ultra spicy so that the common man in the street would run away upon face to face confrontation! Yet it was possible to consume it without dying on the spot! If you missed the challenge you missed your chance to prove your worth as a burger eater!

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BONUS: Fries

Sliema is concentrated to the brim with restaurants of all sorts, all serving fries. You’re totally spoilt for choice. But these bagged chips from Just Burger encapsulate the purest form and truest feel of the classic French Fry. They have a high percentage of potato content in them as Just Burger imports these exclusively from some Swedish supplier only they know of. Apart from good raw material, the kitchen guys always get the fries crisped to a level we seldom get to experience. They’re crunchy enough to withstand a vortex and come out unharmed! We’ve tested them regularly every few weeks and unlike other express food brands, the end result is always very consistent. They are generously seasoned and aren’t greasy, so they compliment a burger nicely. We suggest you get the large portion and an extra sauce dip from a selection of tasty and exotic flavours. These sauces really increase the taste properties of the fries by a tenfold. You won’t ever want to touch any other Chips!

Xmas time Burgering

We’re finally at that jolly phase of the year where we can eat pretty much anything and use the excuse of Xmas! Yes, it’s the snowful (not available in Malta!) season of the year, many love, and many love to hate! This year we’ve noticed an appreciable increase in Xmas-themed burgers compared to 2017, so we had to go around and investigate. The definition of a Xmas burger is a relatively loose one. It needs a top and bottom bun and some festive ingredients, but beyond that, it’s pretty much a free-for-all. Yet we had the decency to skip those burger joints that grab a standard burger from their menu and slap some cranberry sauce on top, to cheat their way to a quick Xmas theme. After much ado about nothing, we ended up in Sliema at Just Burger, which is a surefire place to get a high-standard burger meal for under €10!

Their December burger special is chockful of staple Xmas food, with pulled turkey in gravy, melted brie, Cranberry compote, crisped seasonal vegetables, and their inimitable black Angus beef patty. That’s right, Christmas isn’t all about turkey, and sometimes it’s about cramming all your other ingredients together into one delicious burger! And there’s quite a few here. The shredded Turkey at the very top of the burger is mixed with gravy and painstakingly reduced for 8 to 10 hours. Turkey can quickly dry out in the oven, so here it has been loaded with a thin gravy. The turkey jus itself is made from stock, tomatoes, bacon, garlic and celery. The turkey is slightly smoky and very moist, enveloped in a well-salted mix that makes its presence felt well in the overall burger formula. More flavour comes in the form of cranberry sauce, that is made in-house in the Just Burger kitchen using fresh cranberries, jam, orange zest, star anise and mixed spices. The consistency of the sauce is a bit more syrupy akin of a chutney so it won’t slide down uncontrollably all sides of the burger, and introduces both sweet and tart complex flavours to that of the raw hand-picked jewel-red berry. That classic, tangy, fruity flavour, and pleasing rich texture, here elevated with spices, helps create a balanced and delicious taste, which pushes this burger to further savoury levels. The cranberry pairs really well with the thick slice of brie cheese, which is a soft-ripened cheese with a soft rind around its exterior. It’s melted on top of the beef patty and adds smoothness, creaminess and a sort of woodsy richness.

The base of the bun is layered with veggie crisps made from beetroot & parsnip, which have been marinated in honey and crisped through multiple passes. They are fried, blanched, then oven-baked for 90 minutes, re-fried and let to rest and dry. They add the necessary level of crunch and are a welcome substitute to the usual rucola or lettuce.

Just Burger get their own fresh cuts of Black Angus chuck and mince and create the patty in their own kitchen. There is no closely-guarded recipe here; it’s just quality Swedish beef, that seems to have some extra fat over conventional chuck, so it yields an extra punch of unique flavour that is not found in many other burgers! This patty delivers tenderness and is always juicy and fully flavoured. This is well-matched with their bun, which is made from their own Swedish recipe and produced by a local bakery.

When all the ingredients are piled up on top of each other, this burger soars high. There’s no elegant way to eat this, just grab it with two hands, smash it slowly, and bite your way in! This is basically a miniature Xmas dinner between two buns, and we love that! If it was possible to get high on meat, this would probably do the trick! The burger will stay available until the end of the year, so there’s no one stopping you from eating one or two every week, and make your day jingle! This feels like the sort of burger you absolutely need to do exactly that.

CCC

While Chilli Con Carne (CCC) burgers have been around since the 1920s, we are of the impression that they tend to be an oddity on local burger houses menus. And there might be a reason for that. If the chilli is overdone and packs too much heat and flavour it will obviously overpower the beef, so few do dare to risk. But Just Burger wants to gamble all with their November burger speciality, and who are we to stop them?

After regaling us with the chilliest burger-eating contest earlier this year, Just Burger are at it again, this time, attempting to build a spicy burger that can be enjoyed by all. The burger is made from a base of rucola, their signature 140gr Angus beef patty covered in melted cheddar cheese, jalapeno slices, and a copious portion of the expected Chilli Con Carne.

The main characteristics in a good CCC are tender beef, spicy yet balanced flavours, a satisfying thick texture and that unique sweetness that sets every CCC apart from the rest. This one has its own distinct sweetness derived from the rich mix of kidney beans, onions, Tabasco and garlic inside, that strikes you as a front note and surprises your palate immediately. This brisk flavour is enhanced with a homely texture and a deep reddish-brown colour. When it comes to the heat factor of chilli, you want enough to grab your attention, but not too much to set your precious taste buds on fire, that you can’t enjoy the other flavours between the bun. The heat does get your intentness, as it should, but it’s not overpowering. It has a nice kick to it, without being overly hot, but possesses that slightly sweet tang which lingers long after each bite. The jalapenos are crunchy and have a moderate kick that helps soup-up the spice scale. One bite of this burger and you’ll wonder why it took you so long to try a CCC burger!

Even though there’s a copious amount of CCC, this is not an overly messy experience, and there are no overflowing condiments or sauces coming out from all sides of the bun, so one can take a moment to indulge in this flavorful burger, and maybe delve into nostalgic memories of both burger and the blend of chilli and cheese which is a very satisfying combination to eat. Indeed this burger is an absolute joy to consume as it has that magnificent taste of a chilli cheese steak sandwich. Maybe the meaty patty helps a lot to create that feeling. There’s a moderate saltiness to the whole burger, but the overall mixture of flavours from the CCC, jalapenos, beef and cheddar definitely works here.

Just Burger are also renown for their crispy fries. Indeed they are the only burger house that made it to our Top 5 Fries hitlist, 2 years in a row! And there’s a good reason for that! These bagged chips encapsulate the purest form and truest feel of the classic French Fry. They have a high percentage of potato content in them as Just Burger imports these exclusively from some Scandinavian supplier only they know of. Apart from the good raw material, the kitchen guys always get the fries crisped to a level we seldom get to experience. They are generously seasoned and aren’t greasy, so they compliment every burger nicely. There’s also a whole army of sauce dips from a selection of tasty and exotic flavours. These sauces really increase the taste properties of the fries by a tenfold. Our favourite sauces are the very spicy habanero, the wasabi & garlic mayos, cajun, parmesan, bearnaise, spicy bbq and tarragon mayo.

Just Burger have done it again and delighted us with a burger creation that we would otherwise only dream about. So get in line, there’s no need to push & punch your way to the front, there’s enough chilli con carne & crispy fries for all this November!

The October Prawn Star

Just Burger, known for their unique and delicious burger specialities, want to feed our October cravings with a Prawn burger. Whilst everyone is topping burgers with sliced pickles, the Just Burger team have turned the classic condiment formula inside out, and put such an extravagant ingredient as the prawn at the very top as if they want to keep the summer vibes going! Will this be the congenial element to complement their now inimitable beef patty? We went to Sliema to see for ourselves.

This October burger, conceived by Leeanne, blends together land and sea through a combination of a 140gr Angus beef patty and breaded prawns. All is set on top of a bed of rucola leaves and pickled onions. The patty is topped with traditional cheddar cheese that bolsters the overall richness, and the whole burger is dripped in their own version of the thousand island dressing.

The Angus beef patty from Just Burger is top notch, and when it comes to the local express food scene, there is nothing comparable in this price range. It’s always seasoned flawlessly and cooked exceptionally well to the requested temperature. The beef is just crazy juicy from start to finish. The char taste of the grill is very balanced, slightly smoky and totally delightful. It’s neither too thick nor too flat and fits the diameter of the bun like a jigsaw puzzle. It’s a proper burger patty done right in every conceivable way.

The prawns are coated with crispy crumbs, and they are fried golden until they become some of the tastiest deep fried prawns we’ve tried out this year. You even get two of these sizeable tiger prawns. Prawns come in a variety of sizes and textures. These are chunky and fabulously succulent crustaceans, unleashing the turbocharged flavour of the ocean. All this goodness of the sea is covered with a thousand island “secret” sauce that is tangy and zesty and deserves its place on this burger as much as it does on a bed of greens. This typical American salad dressing is made from Tabasco, onions, ketchup, chives, vinegar and a few other ingredients that Just Burger won’t tell! We don’t know why this is called thousand island, but most probably it’s because one could come up with 1000 distinctive ways to enjoy it! It’s totally perfect with the beef and prawn combination, and gives the whole burger just enough creaminess, to turn it into a marriage made in heaven! Yes, there will be an amount of creamy and dreamy sauce dripping down the side of your burger but if you are going to go surf and turf, let’s not cut corners! You don’t need a bib to eat this burger, but you might get your fingertips slightly saucy.

Preserved onions in malt vinegar are a classic Maltese condiment usually associated with hobz biz-zejt! It’s quite unusual to find pickled onions in burgers, but they go beautifully with beef and cheese, as they taste sharp and sweet at the same time. They are crisp and together with the rucola, they provide a layer of extra vegetable crunch to the whole burger affair.

With this special offering for October, Just Burger have truly created a “Prawn star” of a burger, that tastes as good as ever and is a tremendous surf and turf experience. It does pile high, as it has a premium topping that barely fits into your mouth in one go. Yes, this one is big, juicy and loaded with flavours, and you’ll need to unlock your jaws and unstoppably dive in! This burger is one of those agreeable friends, a sort of reliable buddy whose purpose is to make you happy and make you feel full! Is this the ultimate surf and turf burger? You will decide when you go have a bite at it!

Mushrooms & Peppercorns

Just Burger have churned quite a number of mushroom burger specials in the past. And September is no exception. Will this one be their best one yet?

Flexitarianism is the balance between the meat eater and the plant enjoyer. If you’re a burger person, it’s very likely that you could be a mushroom burger lover. Sauteed mushrooms and beef go hand in hand, and the practice of accenting meat with vegetables is well presented in this burger, which is filled with watercress, a mushroom duxelle and a 140gr Angus beef patty topped with mature red Leicester cheese and a peppercorn sauce.

Mushrooms tend to have an immense umami that blends very well with meat. A duxelle is a mixture of finely chopped mushrooms cooked to the consistency of a pate. Here it’s made from roasted Chanterelle mushrooms, which are sauteed with herbs and thyme. Chanterelles are the queen of wild mushrooms. They are packed with savoury and woodsy flavour and bring a somewhat velvety mouthfeel. Just Burger are always thoughtful with their mushroom burgers, as they always use different varieties of shrooms. Indeed these roasted mushrooms taste heavenly. On the cheesy side, the mature red Leicester on the patty is rich, savoury and nutty with a rugged texture. This tangy and crumbly cheese is a big-time favourite of ours and is very welcome here.

Sometimes a burger just isn’t complete without a creamy sauce! This peppercorn sauce made with onions, garlic, thyme, bay leaves, beef stock and lots of peppercorns tastes amazing. It is moderately hot, pungent and very aromatic and proved to be a perfect companion for the beef. The sauce also adds a level of saltiness to this burger. The watercress has a peppery flavour similar to arugula but with a crispier texture and a potent peppery spiciness, which goes hand in hand with the peppercorns. Its refreshing flavour makes it the perfect foil as it contrasts well with the earthy richness of the patty. If Just Burger wanted to aim for the most peppery burger of the year award, they would have succeeded very well here!

Once again, Just Burger have created a deliciously bold burger that all meat lovers will rave over. If the God of Peppercorns and the God of Mushrooms spent some magical time together, the result would be this burger! Can you even best this burger? You can always order a double patty option!

August Burger – Beat the Heat!

What’s the best fix to beat the August summer heat? Just Burger has one for you, their speciality of the month, which happens to be a burger on the spicy side! These guys know their way around spicy burgers, as last June they heralded the scorchiest burger eating challenge in Malta. Their August offering is nowhere as spicy as their challenge burger, but it packs the right amount of heat to tickle the most sensitive of taste buds.

One side of the bun is spread with a bacon jalapeno jam, which is the main element that provides the heat, whilst the other side has a cooling cream cheese mixed with chives, rock salt and basil. Their renown patty made from 140gr of Angus Beef goes in the middle, and a hefty portion of fried potato skins goes on top. It might not sound like a lot, but we found this burger combination to be simply gorgeous and deliciously tasty.

Appreciating spicy nuances and flavours is a culinary art form, and Just Burger have created a delicate dance of different flavours between the bun. It’s also a sort of “what works” game that is distinctive for each individual, but here the spiciness has been kept to a minimum without having your mouth engulfed in flames so it can be enjoyed by all burger lovers. Bacon jalapeno jam seems to be the IN thing at the moment, as most high-end burger menus all around Europe are filled with such variants. Just Burger have done the right thing to ride this current wave. Bacon jalapeno jam is often used as the secret ingredient in hot poppers, as it’s sizzling, sweet, savoury and out of this world! So shout it out loud, Bacon Jalapeno Jam! Feeling excited?

The other side of the bun is jazzed up with a buttery cream cheese spread. Cream cheese is a wise choice here as it provides a refreshing zing and is the perfect pairing with potatoes and the beef cut that Just Burger use. The chopped chives add a very subtle oniony flavour without being overpowering. We’ve seen nachos, crisps, Doritos and all sort of crisps jammed inside burgers, but the concept of using potato skins is very unique in the local burger scene. These roasties adds flavour, colour and crispness. They are very filling too.

This time around, Just Burger have also spiced up their 5★ fries, to create a very suggestable pairing with their monthly burger. These tasty chips are mixed with a blend of spices, with a strong curry and paprika flavour, plus some other secret herbs that Just Burger won’t tell! They definitely pack more flavour and the result is more than fantastic. Dang man! Sign us up for more of these frizzlers!

Once again, Just Burger have come up with another burger creation to lure you to Sliema! They have you all set up for your August burger fix, as this one packs the right amount of heat and is spicy enough without ruining the gustation of the burger as a whole. It feels like a blessing, and you will want to eat it all, and even get a second round! It’s always happy times here!

Quattro Formaggi Burger

Who likes cheeseburgers? Those really cheesy ones?

If you’re a cheeseburger-lover (and who isn’t?) then Just Burger have you all sorted for good for this July. Their new monthly special is a cheese bomb full of flavour, waiting to explode in your mouth. The burger has baby gem lettuce, a 140gr Angus beef patty, and a cheese-load which is a blend of four kinds of cheese, in the form of a sauce. This sauce is made from Parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella and blue cheese. The sauce is the definite hero in this burger, it’s very creamy and is a powerhouse of flavour. The spicy, sour and piquant blue cheese is the most present when it comes to overall aroma, whilst the tangy mozzarella provides all the creaminess. The salty Parmesan was a good addition too. If you are into cheeseburgers, this is it! All is sprinkled with a generous amount of crispy onions that provides a good crunch.

Surprisingly enough this is not one of those messy burgers, which is good. There is enough cheesy flavour here to appeal to those seeking out some extra sharp, salty impact on their standard Just Burger. Perhaps this should be called Burger Quattro Formaggi after the classic Italian pasta dish!

Spicy Summer Strife

7 June was a hot day. In Sliema, things were a 100° hotter as the Spiciest Burger eating challenge of the year was taking place. And guess what, Just Burger is in the news once again!

We’ve recently witnessed a number of spicy Burgers popping on menus all over the island. KFC have 3 Zingers with varied levels of spiciness, Hard Rock Cafe have the Atomic with a concoction of spicy condiments and Hugo have the 911 Burger with salami. But all pale in comparison to what Just Burger have craftily created for this challenge! Apart from the beef patty, which is a supersized 200gr version of the renown Just Burger patty, the burger is an unstable spice bomb. The beef is topped with slices of Mexican Edam Cheese, infused with red hot peppers. Two large habanero poppers stuffed with chilli cream cheese go on top. The bun was spread on both sides with a load of Tabasco, habanero mayo sauce and a jam made from jalapenos, onions, peppers, chilli, vinegar and Harissa (a hot chilli pepper paste). You think that’s more than enough spice in one meal? Wrong! Even the fries got the hot treatment as they were sprinkled with garlic powder, cajun spices and Tabasco. The fumes emanating from the freshly fried fries caused burning and watering to our eyes!

How do you prepare yourself for such an scorching eating challenge? Some told us that it’s best to consume a banana beforehand, whilst others insisted that it’s best to tackle the challenge on an empty stomach and eat the spice as fast as possible to give as little time to your taste buds to succumb to the heat.

The rules were simple: you have 15 minutes to eat all the burger and fries, and an additional 10 minutes of waiting time before consuming any beverage. This was more than enough to scare the bejesus out of most burger eaters! Yet 6 competitors, coming from different corners of the world, had the balls to rise up to the challenge! Alexander from Sweden ate the whole burger and fries in 3 minutes, without breaking a sweat. He’s been training hard, and until the day before, he was eating ghost pepper poppers! Maltese muscle man Ralph was the runner-up, taking 5 minutes to consume the burger. Jeremy from Canada came third with a respectable 6 minutes. Four of the competitors are the whole burger, whilst 2 ate a modest 90% of it before the time was up.

This was a one-of-a-kind specialty burger that was built exclusively for this challenge. It was made to be ultra spicy so that the common man in the street would run away upon face to face confrontation! Yet it was possible to consume it without dying on the spot! If you missed the challenge you missed your chance to prove your worth as a burger eater! Until the next burger challenge…