Wednesday, 27 August 2014

Mmm... Stax

So after a pretty sweaty session in town we were looking for a new burger joint. Yoga session of course. Honestly what were you thinking??

We were in Kingly Court and decided we may as well make the most of the many restaurants around. Stax caught my friends eye and we made a decision to go there. 

The main items were of course the burgers. But Stax is all about the American Diner style of cooking, so there were loads of other things on the menu like fried chicken and green tomatoes... We were spoiled for choice. Also must mention that the proprietor is also the one and only Bea of Beas of Bloomsbury. I think we'll be in good hands! 

I of course went for a burger, the Big Stax. All I could imagine is a hot beefy man of a burger, rippling muscles and you know... A good grip.
Inside the brioche bun is a spicy sauce, maple glazed beef bacon, a 28 day aged beef patty, caramelised onion, lettuce, tomato and cheese of my choice, so I went for the Monterey Jack. My burger man is called Jack Stax. He's a crack shot, has guns of steel and rides a Harley! Ha ha. Sorry totally getting carried away! 

The joint was busy so we were told there'd be a wait for our food of twenty minutes, but that didn't sound too bad so we stuck around. 



The big fat patty arrived, and looked pretty epic actually. A nice shiny brioche bun with a hell of a lot of things inside it. Unfortunately my beef was a little overdone, even though I'd ordered medium rare. Poor jack had been at the sunbeds again. There were no pink bits dammit. The burger itself was juicy though and my first bite was a bit messy. Jack Stax had redeemed himself. That's how I like it! 
There was loads and I mean a shit ton of caramelised onion. The bacon beef, something of a surprise as none of us had had it before was unusual. Thin slices of beef, probably soaked in some sugar syrup and then slow cooked. Giving it a consistency similar to bacon. It's good but it almost overpowers the patty... 



It's a dirty burger. Dripping juice all in the basket. 
Like the titanic, the icebergs were a little large. A proper shredding of the lettuce next time I think and not so much of it. The slice of tomato was standard.

Cajun chips, are pretty spicy. With a dusting of rosemary... Which was a nice touch. Although really what's wrong with a nice French fry with no crazy stuff on it? 

I liked the slugs, also known as Fried gherkins. Pretty yummy, although the fried stuff fell off the gherkin at first touch. And that stuff was pretty yummy. I wished I'd ordered the fried chicken burger, because it looked real good. Poor Mr Stax... It was never gonna work out. I could tell he liked his motorbike more than me.

Not forgetting my Oreo cookie milk shake. Wow very yummy and thick and creamy. It was like a desert! Mmm tasty.

Overall a good visit. My burger buddies had mixed reviews, everyone agreeing the beef bacon was a little too overpowering on the beef. But the burger was a beautiful stack of meat so who could complain! 

Mmm... Lucky Chip

Even though everyone bailed and although I've a little burger date with an incredibly lovely friend this weekend I couldn't resist going and getting a cheeky burger this evening. It is of course National Burger Day. What kind of burger blogger would I be if I failed to get a juicy bit of meat today? Rubbish that's what. I would have to hang up my self appointed burger bitch crown, indeed!

So lacking a companion, which meant I could do anything I bloody well wanted and with the city calling me I decided that I could not hit a past haunt. It wouldn't be right. As much as P&B was calling me. I have the same problem with men! I keep going back just to be sucked in that little bit more, then I'm officially fat and hooked on meat. Tonight would be something new... Oh the PRESSURE. 

I've had a particular place on my hit list for quite some time. The revered Lucky Chip. Handily located in a pub just hidden off Hackney road. Unfortunately the pub was full of hipsters so I had to try and hide my disdain for their cut off shorts and morrissey style hair. I would pretty much do anything for a good bit of meat ;)

So I got there, and yes it's a pub. Brilliant. First things first beer. Second thing, checking over the menu. Brilliantly taped to the wall. 
One thing caught my eye, and it's name was Chuck Norris. I ordered that and fries. 
Two aged beef patties, mmm yum, with a load of other stuff in it. Chuck wouldn't care what the rest of the contents were, so neither do I! 
For those of you who do, they are as follows: American cheese, cheddar cheese, mayo, ketchup, onions, bacon and a seeded bun. Done.



It arrived and it was pretty large. Both slices of cheese had melted and the burger was a slider that's for sure... I could only see one patty and started to panic but then my faith was restored when I saw the second nestled underneath and middle slice of bun. Ooh this was a surprise. I like surprises! 
I started and although it looked a mess the cheese worked well holding the whole thing together. One thing I'd say that the cheese was a bit on the not melted enough so it oozes state. I'm guessing if I talked to a physicist they could tell me the exact right temperature to get that sweet spot. Hmm that's a future science project! 



Back to the burger. It was a while before my feeble hands managed to manoeuvre two patties into my mouth. I'm normally so good at that. But it was worth the wait. Meaty goodness... 
Yum. 
They didn't ask me how I wanted it cooked though. I'm guessing it was medium. Not bad, although I like my meat a little more juicy and pink. Like a hot man... Ha ha ha...



The burger got better and better, although there was a distinct lack of fatty oozy goodness running down my hands and arms. 'Twas a little disappointing. Although given the fact that I was alone in a pub surrounded by handsome hipsters and hipsterettes it was probably for the best. Last thing I want is to embarrass myself!

All in all this was a mighty fine burger, tasty melted cheesey meaty goodness. Clearly Chuck Norris can kick ass but he ain't dirty how I like it! 

Happy National Burger Day!


Love Burgerella xx

Sunday, 3 August 2014

Mmm... The Deck

There's only one tried and tested thing that is a cure for a hangover, but unfortunately I can't put it on here for fear of being blocked for explicit content ;)

Anyway, so having moped about all day not feeling quite right after the St Agnes carnival I had to do something. Even the sea didn't tempt me in. So with only an hour or two before my train departure back to the diiirrrrty smoke I had to get some food. I excellently mentioned burgers and my friend knew the perfect place. 
Now firstly you might have guessed my pretties that I'm not in London. But down by the coast having some surf and fun times with new friends. So I hadn't really thought much about burgers for a bit.
Three days away is a long time. I was yearning for some tasty meat. Especially since I'd been exercising a fair bit surfing my butt off! My new favourite sport! 

So we hit The Deck, for a cheese burger and chips. The chef dude has worked in a fair few places around the area, according to my mate and all pretty good places so I was looking forward to my meaty delight. 

And delightful it was. A gorgeous seeded bun, just lightly toasted. Lettuce, tomato and cucumber, interesting addition!
The patty was big. Not a fat one that I couldn't get my mouth around. Although not that that would put me off of course. The bigger the better! 

Back to the patty, it was good. Well seasoned and cooked nicely. It was a tasty piece of meat. 

The cheese was scrummy and melted perfectly to the patty and bun and kept everything together. It was a lovely last dinner in Cornwall. 
If you're ever down in Perranporth check out The Deck. Scrummy.