What's in a Name? Living up to the Moniker of Dirty Burger

Well, it's been awhile. After changing job, things got a little busy and while I have had things to talk about, I just haven't got around to posting anything new on here, and the longer I left it, the more I pushed HvNP to the back of my mind. But with the onset of June and summer, I think it's time to jump back on the blog wagon and to kick things back off, I've got my favourite kind of post: a burger review.

It was one of those nights where I had gone out randomly for a "few" beers, and anticipating a bit of a drink up, a burger was needed. Being in Shoreditch, the only choice was the intriguingly named Dirty Burger, a pop-up gone permanent just up the road from BrewDog. The venue wasn't exactly big and my immediate comparison would be to Patty & Bun at Liverpool Street, although in Dirty Burger the decor was wood-trimmed like a log shack and there was a large central table that was absent in P&B, the latter having seating only at the edges. Nevertheless, there was room to sit so I ordered a Dirty Bacon and sat down to wait.

And wait.

And wait.

And wait.

Now, I'm used to waiting at burger joints in London, the burger joints I frequent are not really fast food despite the image burgers have garnered. But we waited for over twenty minutes for our food despite there not being many people around and several people arrived after us getting their food before. I think they forgot about our order but the mumbling apology didn't endear the place to me I must say.

Nevertheless, I always aim to concentrate on the qualities of the burger rather than the overall experience so I won't dwell too much on the tardiness of the service. Eventually the burgers did turn up and we tucked in with gusto.
My first impression was that it was a bit small - I can't remember how many ounces in weight the burger was supposed to be but I was rueing not taking the 'extra patty' option. The patty was well seasoned and tender, having that melt in the mouth quality that I rate so highly in a burger. It was also quite juicy, which many people might baulk at yet I find quite satisfying - and also apt considering the name of the venue. The sauce was interesting - a bit like burger sauce but with a lot less mayo - and was an effective accompaniment, highlighting the qualities of the meat without riding roughshod over it. A quick word, too, for the bacon, which was nice and meaty. Burger bacon should not be of the thin and crispy variety in my opinion (Yes, yes I know I say that all the time; and I'm going to continue saying it until people listen!). Overall, it was a very tasty burger and DB let the meat be the star rather than buckle under the temptation to overload it with extra flavours. Keep it simple, and it works. It's not a world beater, but it's bloody nice. 

Dirty Burger Dirty Bacon: 8.25

The Details:

Dirty Burger
13 Bethnal Green Road
London
E1 6LA

www.eatdirtyburger.com

Burger reviewed: Dirty Bacon, £8

HVNP Burger Rankings (May 13th) :

1. Bleecker Street | Black | 9.25
2. Patty & Bun | Ari Gold | 9.00
3. Honest Burger | Bacon Tribute 8.50

4. Dirty Burger | Dirty Bacon 8.25

5. Lucky Chip | Royale with Cheese | 7.5

=6. Byron | Chilli 7.25

=6. Byron | Father Cheesemas | 7.25

=6. GBK | The Don | 7.25

8. Burger & Lobster | Cheeseburger 6.50