Special Burger Review: Beer & Burger

Photo by/Mark Avila

Date Visited: September 8, 2023

Location: London, United Kingdom

BurgerTours Rating: 8.5/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Awesome	Messy	$11-$15	Fast Food	Veggie, Gluten Free

Website

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Mark's Review

What is up guys? This is Mark, and I am here to present you with another Burger Tour. I’m back in Europe to give you our second burger tour from the UK, Beer & Burger! They have multiple locations across London, but the one I checked out was located in King’s Cross just steps away from King’s Cross Underground Station. Beer & Burger claims to serve the best craft beer and burgers in London, and it was only appropriate that I pay them a visit. 

Just walking restaurant I could feel the lively atmosphere. The loud music alongside the busy traffic and diners chatting away, I knew that the vibe was going to be vibrant. 

Having been seated and looking through the menu, nothing really caught my eye as something appetizing. Then, I saw their September guest burger, the Katsu Curry Chicken Burger. From recent memory, I don’t think I’ve ever had a burger with Chicken Katsu. Well, now was definitely the time.  

Katsu Curry Chicken Burger/Photo by Mark Avila

The Katsu Curry Chicken Burger is a fried chicken patty topped with katsu curry, and pickled daikon slaw in between glazed buns. 

I didn’t know what I was expecting, but when the burger was placed in front of me it was like a “WOW” moment. The sheer size caught me off guard. The chicken patty was thick and golden and had my mouth watering. The glazed buns was an eye catcher looking nicely baked, sporting a nice brown colour, and glistening. 

The first bite was met by the crunch of the chicken. It was so crunchy, flavourful, and just so good. I don’t think I’ve had fried chicken like this in a long time, and was a nice break from beef and vegan patties I’ve had. To be honest, I may try more fried chicken patties in the future if its offered as a burger or patty substitution. The curry was smooth and light on the spice, while the pickled daikon was creamy and balanced out the overall flavour. 

This was a nice surprise and satisfying burger for my first burger joint in London. Beer & Burger was great with the creativity and thoughtful construction of this burger. From presentation to the flavour it was everything that I was expecting. Overall, this is definitely a go to joint if you’re looking for a well prepared burger and a good time. Beer & Burger will for sure be a place where I will be visiting again on my next visit, and will be recommending to friends and family.

8.5/10

Burger Review #71: Mavericks Burger Co.

Photo by Andrew Hockridge

Date Visited: August 11, 2023
Location: Sherbourne Common (Permanently Closed)
BurgerTours Rating: 7.4/10

Taste	Messiness	Price	Venue	Pluses
Good	Messy	$11-$15	Fast Food	Veggie, Alcohol, Patio

Website

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Drew's Review

Hello. It’s that time again.

In August, we decided to try out Mavericks Burger Co., a burger joint located in Sherbourne Commons on the waterfront, just east of downtown Toronto. The quiet atmosphere greeted us, with only a handful of diners inside. The girl behind the counter efficiently took our orders, and we found ourselves a sunny spot to settle in. 

Our burgers arrived on glass plates, accompanied by waffle fries neatly nestled in bowls. I opted for the MavBurger, a single patty cheeseburger featuring their special MavSauce, which boasted a mustard-like tang. The presentation was straightforward, lacking any bells and whistles. 

MavBurger/Photo by Andrew Hockridge

The MavBurger itself was a no-frills affair. A basic with a mustard-infused sauce - it didn't offer anything extraordinary. The patty was cooked adequately, and the cheese melted just right, but the overall taste was predictable. The MavSauce, though claiming uniqueness, failed to leave a lasting impression. It was a simple burger that satisfied the basic craving but fell short of making a mark. 

The waffle fries, served in bowls, were decent - crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. However, they too lacked a distinctive flavour that would set them apart from your average fry. 

Despite the unremarkable nature of the meal, the experience was pleasant. The location, by the waterfront, added a certain charm. We envisioned a bustling scene in the coming years, especially with the anticipated new streetcar line along the waterfront. 

Overall, Mavericks Burger Co. scored a simple 6.3 out of 10 in my book. The burger and fries were satisfactory, but far from memorable. It's the kind of place you'd stop by if you're in the area and craving a straightforward meal, but I wouldn't go out of my way to return. 

6.3/10 

UPDATE: As a small disclaimer, it's worth mentioning that Mavericks Burger Co. has since closed its doors permanently in November 2023. While my experience may not have been outstanding, it's always a bit nostalgic thinking about the eateries that become a part of a city's history, even if just for a short while.

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Mark's Review 

We're back in Downtown Toronto, where we pay a visit to our first burger joint on the Waterfront. Just down the street from the Portlands, we were both excited to try this joint as it was on our radars. We take you too… Mavericks Burger! 

This joint is unique as they serve all plant-based burgers. Finally, a burger I can eat without feeling an inch of guilt. 

The menu was small, yet appetizing. I opted for the Marley Burger. As a lover of everything mango, I did not hesitate with this decision. The Marley Burger is made up of their signature plant-based patty, teriyaki-jerk sauce, and of course, a cilantro-mango lime salsa. 

 

Marley Burger/Photo by Mark Avila

First impressions, the burger was very tiny. And to be honest, I was expecting more when it came to the overall presentation. When I took the top bun off, I was disappointed to see a small amount of the mango lime salsa underneath. I was looking forward to this the most, and unfortunately felt really underwhelmed. 

However, as soon as that burger touched my mouth everything changed. The salsa was perfection! Sweet, sour, and with a kick of spice, all the flavours meshed together so well. The teriyaki-jerk sauce gave it a nice smoky taste that mellowed out the salsa. I found this burger to have been well executed from the ingredients, and which flavours would best complement one another. 

Another great find, and what a nice change in scenery as we were able to enjoy our burgers by the waterfront. Mavericks definitely jumps up my personal list as a new favourite, and possibly my number one joint for all plant-based burgers. 

8.5/10