Jay Grimmer
03/09/21
Burghero is an exceptional Italian style gourmet burger stall located in Mercarto Metropolitian, just up the road from Elephant and Castle. Now I know some close-minded people out there might be thinking, oh Italian style burgers, really? Well, to them I say, yes, really.
Before we get on to the juicy bit, which in the case of this burger is a more than accurate phrase, I wanted to tell you a bit more about Mercarto Metropolitan. If you haven’t heard of it, I would absolutely insist on your next stop in at any market that does street food to be there. It is part of a chain of markets, along with another location in Mayfair, and they are both chock full of amazing and diverse food and drinks stalls.
Now on to the food! I decided to go for a Tuscan burger with a side of fries, this came to a total of £14.90. Now I know that seems quite pricey for you would be boujee lunchtime visitors but let me tell you this is well worth every penny. The burger, where do I begin? Talk about one of the juiciest beef patties I’ve had in a long time, not only is the patty delicious it’s also interchangeable in every single burger with either brisket, chicken, or veggie patties.
The choice of Italian Pecorino cheese was an interesting twist on the classic burger and the flavour of the cheese was lovely yet still not overpowering. Not to mention the consistency was perfect for melted cheese on a burger, enough to spread across the meat nicely but not so much that my hands were dripping in it afterwards. The caramelised chianti onions were a wonderful addition and with a strip of bacon and fried egg on top for good measure, how could anyone find fault with this burger.
Now onto the chips, they were thin and were nice and crispy, and with the slight skin on them they well surpassed your standard French fry. There was just the right amount to tide me over after the burger but not so much that I was in agony from an overfilled stomach on the way back to the Tube. My only criticism, and I am being picky here, would be they could’ve done with a tad more salt.
Now to wrap up! I’ve got to say this burger was one of the best I have in a very long time. I’m sure passers-by wouldn’t be surprised with my assessment as I’m sure at points I looked like I was falling in love with this burger. If you are deciding which next street food spot to try next, I would say Burghero needs to be near the top of your list.
Jay Grimmer
27/08/21
Twelves and Eights is a hot dog stall in the very trendy Pop in Brixton, just round from Electric Avenue. They offer three different types of hot dogs and hand cut fries as well as smutty fries, which are topped with melted cheese, bacon and pickled onions. I decided to go for an Elwood hot dog and some of the hand cut fries which came to a total of £13.50. In all honestly this was far more food than I needed for my lunch, but I suffered for you my dear readers, so you could have a greater idea of the food available at Twelves and Eights.
The hot dog was not only sizeable and incredibly filling but packed a lot of flavour, and you could have definitely had it on its own for a lunch or a light dinner. The homemade sausage was meaty, not like the normal mass-produced hot dog sausages you get that look like they’ve been eaten once before.
The topping of beef brisket with the cheese and beer sauce may sound a bit weird, and it did taste a little odd initially but was actually very enjoyable as I got through the meal and the pickled onions helped add some acidity to the saltier sauce.
The bun was good although it did begin to fall apart as I ate but that was probably due to the fact that I was shovelling the hot dog into my mouth like I was on man vs food. Testament to a good hot dog though!
The hand cut fries were topped with salt and rosemary which was a pleasant change to the standard salted skinny fries you normally get with burgers and hot dogs. Not only were the fries a good quality I also got given a Five Guys amount to myself. Along with the fries I was given homemade garlic aioli, chipotle and ketchup as sauces.
The garlic aioli was definitely the stand out winner of these sauces, enough of a garlic flavour to it but not so much that people on the Tube would think I was hoping to kill a vampire with my breath. The homemade ketchup and chipotle were good as well, but I think the ketchup could have done with a bit more salt or acidity to it to add to it as it was quite sweet.
All in all, a cracking spot and I would definitely be returning for another Elwood hot dog, the fries were also very nice, but I’m not sure I’d be able to get another hot dog and fries unless I was particularly hungry!
Jay Grimmer
21/08/21
If you haven’t had a chance to visit Koi Ramen Bar, then you are missing out and should plan this Saturday’s lunch there now. It’s located in the centre of Tooting Market, which might not be as famous as your Borough’s or your Camden’s but is home to some amazing street food spots.
For £10.50 I had three chicken gyoza (they also offered a choice of pork or veggie gyoza too, but I am a chicken man through and through when it comes to my gyoza) and a pork ramen.
The chicken gyoza were nicely steamed, not too soggy but not too dry, they also had a good golden fry to the bottoms to give a nice crunch to them! The dipping sauce was a good level of salt which in my experience is not always the case as with sauce for gyoza. There was a pleasant after taste from the gyoza, making them very moreish. The spring onion toppings actually added some flavour as well instead of just trying to make it look bougie like some places do.
Overall, I’d have to say the gyoza were up with some of the best I’ve ever had, and I’m a man who once ate thirty-six in one sitting.
Now onto the noodles. The pork had a good seasoning to it with the broth adding a lot of flavour. There was a lot of noodles, but the thinner noodle choice had me wanting more as I got through the pot of ramen instead of feeling a barrel! As I got near to the end I saw a flaw of the ramen container. As the ramen was in a high sided pot it was tricky to get a spoon into it to have the nice broth, so I was sat contemplating whether it would be a bit too gross for me to pick up the pot and drink the leftovers straight from the container!
And as I thought this I lost my spoon to the floor, so my decision was made for me and down went the broth as I attempted down it faster than any pint I’ve ever tried to drink quickly.
All in all, the pork ramen was also very tasty, and I would definitely recommend it. I would also highly recommend the Koi Ramen Bar, the food was cooked with a great deal and skill and delivered with flavour. The only disadvantage I would say is that the menu is fairly limited but for the dishes they do, they do them exceptionally well.