Finally a restaurant that does what it says on the label. Run by two exiled Kiwis, this place simply serves gourmet burgers. Everything on your plate will be top notch from bottom bun to top sesame seed and inbetween.
You might think that deciding what to eat is simpler in a place that only serves burgers, not watered down with crowd pleasers for those who disapprove of such common food. However,the selection of burgers can be daunting. Faced with a multitude of relishes as well as variations on the regular beef patty, making a choice is a challenge which can only be overcome by multiple visits.
The kiwi burger
appears to be a popular choice with diners, possibly due to the slightly idiosyncratic serving of a fried egg with it, which gives it a bruncy feel.
Otherwise, I warmly recommend the lamb burger if you don't eat beef. It comes with lovely and seemingly home made mint relish.
If it all becomes too much, the plain beef burgers, maybe with cheese, are lovely too... And burgers come cooked to order, which is a bonus if you've eaten hockey puck burgers from lesser establishment for the past few years.
Fries are golden and crispy on the outside and fluffy on the outside, just like they should be. The side salads are also made with fresh and tasty ingredients.
Due to the size of the burgers, it's recommended that you split a bowl of fries between two diners. Trying to eat one each can only lead to digestive issues afterwards.
If you still have space after the main dish, the shakes are a good dessert option. For a country which thinks shakes equal artificially flavoured milk, these must feel like a revelation. True 50s diner style thickies. Or so I imagine, not having been around at the time.
I see that someone here has argued that £5-7 is a lot to pay for a burger, but this is in London and also it should be seen less as a burger place than as a cheap restaurant. I don't know anywhere that serves burgers to this standard for anything less.
GBK is a gift for meat lovers and veggies alike. Not to mention to those of us who belong to one category with our partner finding a home in the other. Rarely will you find a cheapish restaurant which caters so well for the needs of both.
SERVICE / ENVIRONMENT
The GBK operate a system by which you go up and place your own order and get drinks at the counter. The food is then served to your table. So don't waste time sitting around waiting for someone to come and take your order!
At busy times it can take a little while to get served, which is especially torturous when you're hungry and smelling everyone else's food going by.
Staff is efficient rather than overly friendly, but do a good job in a sometimes very hectic small space.
I've on occasion experienced the restaurant as a little cold; they'll open the front and back door to air out the open-plan kitchen which is a bit chilly for people in the path between the two doors. However bring a scarf and you'll be fine.
The restaurant has child options on the menu and its informal air means it's quite child friendly.
TRANSPORT
Easily within walking distance of West Hampstead tube; turn right as you come out and the restaurant is across the road about 10 minutes walk away.
A multitude of buses also come up this road. Look at Transport For London's web site for more details.
TECHNIQUE
If you've ignored the above advice that this is not for romantic first dates, this is what I've worked out as a technique for minimising spillage.
Burgers are served with a skewer through the middle to hold everything in place. A good way to eat them is to devour one half of the burger first, then move the skewer along to the middle of the last half and continue. Removing the skewer in the beginning usually leads to large scale burger slide.
Do not, I repeat, do not try to eat it with your hands unless you have a truly massive mouth span. Relish will go in your lap, and you wouldn't want to waste any of that lovely food now, would you.
Bon apetit!
* Review based on West Hampstead branch
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