Byron - B-Rex

B-Rex - 6oz hamburger, onion ring, crispy smoked bacon, American cheese, jalapenos, pickles, onions, BBQ sauce and mayonnaise £10.25

Burger type: Pub/Gourmet/Inbetween/Dirty

Ok. So I've actually had this burger twice now. Problem was that the first time was post too-many beers, sat on the pavement in Farringdon (it was takeaway only at that time in case you find this behaviour in any way strange). I remember thinking that this was a great burger and even took a photo with the intention of reviewing. But after the foggy head cleared the next day, I decided that it would not have been a fair review, which meant that I would simply have to try it again. Byron do burgers well, and their core range represents a solid burger line-up that can be used as a benchmark for others. Their ever-changing specials often take this up a notch and are well executed. The B-Rex is definitely among the best of these. There's nothing unusual or particularly exciting about this burger. But that's not what it's about. This is about taking a bacon cheeseburger and stepping it up a notch in taste. Good quality bacon laid over oozing American cheese. Onions and pickles for crunch, onion ring for flavour, jalapenos for BITE. There's a hefty tang to this burger and it allows all the other flavours to come alive. Byron has nailed it with this one. This is what a bacon cheeseburger should be.

Rating: 

Meat 3/3

Bun 2/2

Fillings 2/2

Package 2/2

Extra point? Yes - everything just works so right about this burger

Overall 10/10

Christmas Burger #2 - Byron - Triple Cheesemas

Triple Cheesemas - Two 6oz hamburgers, American cheese, Emmenthal, Monterey Jack, onion, shredded iceberg, pickles and spicy burger sauce £11.95

Burger type: Pub/Gourmet/Inbetween/Dirty

Ok, so Byron's Christmas offering is distinctly un-festive save for the name. But just look at it! It's the stuff of cheesy burger dreams. Sure, it's not the cheapest burger around, but you get a hefty package weighing in at 12oz of beef, with three types of cheese. The pickles and spicy sauce add some crunch and kick to the burger, which is packaged in Byron's signature squishy bun (a bun up among the best). There are a lot of fillings and my burger was served up standing tall and perfectly formed. Inevitable spillage occurs once you tuck in but considering the amount of fillings, it's a very photogenic package. The patties were served perfectly medium on my visit, and 12oz of them will keep those meat cravings in check. If you've got a hangover to soak up or simply got a big appetite, this is the festive burger to get your grubby hands on.

Rating: 

Meat 2/3

Bun 2/2

Fillings 2/2

Package 2/2

Extra point? Yes - this is pretty special. I haven't stopped craving it since I had it.

Overall 9/10

Byron - Mo'shroom

Mo'shroom - 6oz hamburger, Portobello mushroom, Emmenthal, streaky bacon, shredded iceberg, red onion and cep aioli £9.95

Burger type: Pub/Gourmet/Inbetween/Dirty

Byron have a monthly special burger, and since 2010 during November they've supported Movember by making a donation for each of their special burgers ordered. This year that burger is the Mo'shroom with Portobello mushrooms, Emmenthal, bacon and cep aioli (blanched garlic, cep mushrooms and tarragon). The sliced mushrooms are layered over the burger underneath the cheese and add a distinct flavour without the sliminess that can plague mushrooms. The choice of Emmenthal cheese complents the mushroom, but the real winner here is the cep aioli - adding an extra punch of mushroom sauciness to the package. I really enjoyed the flavour of this burger - something a bit different to most options out there. It was only let down by somewhat lacking service on my visit, an overcooked patty that was not as pink as usual (and hence a half point docked), and a burger that was not as warm or stacked as carefully as it could have been. You've got until the end of the month to get your Mo tickled with some mushroom meatiness.

Rating: 

Meat 1.5/3

Bun 2/2

Fillings 2/2

Package 1/2

Extra point? Yes - credit for helping a good cause

Overall 7.5/10

Byron - Byron

Byron - Dry cure bacon, mature Cheddar, lettuce, tomato, red onion and Byron sauce. £9.25

Gourmet/Dirty: Gourmet

National Burger Day burger #2. Byron's signature burger doesn't disappoint. Meat cooked medium and smothered in cheese. Good quality bacon and salad and the Byron sauce completes the fillings and adds to the taste. Fantastic bun that is well rounded, just the right squishiness and holds the juices without being too sweet. I also like that they give you a gherkin wedge on the side (with all their burgers). Lacks a wow factor, but a solid performer with all aspects thought out and executed well. All other burgers should be compared to this.

Rating: 

Meat 2/3

Bun 2/2

Fillings 2/2

Package 2/2

Extra point? No

Overall 8/10

Byron - Big B

Big B – Two 3oz hamburgers, double cheese slice, onion, shredded iceberg, pickles, burger sauce, potato bun. £9.50. Courgette fries and coleslaw in the back.

Gourmet/Dirty: Gourmet

Great taste from the burger sauce but the burger is too fragile. Potato bun has a nice taste but perhaps a brioche bun would hold it together more. The two 3oz patties are good enough without being meat heaven. All in all nice tasting but I wasn’t blown away by it and it’s not robust enough to stop its insides falling out.

Rating: 

Meat 1/3

Bun 1/2

Fillings 1/2

Package 0/2

Extra point? No

Overall 3/10