I’ve had a lot of burgers in my 23 (T minus 11 hours, 24 *gasp*) years. From the famous and truly unbeatable In-N-Out Burger in California, to a cheeky Big Mac while walking home from a long night out.
After a physically exhausting day moving on Saturday (top floor apartment to an even higher top floor apartment – imagine the number of stairs climbed!), I tried out the new Honest Burgers Halloumi burger. This special launched at the start of September in collaboration with Briddlesford Farm.
Hallou, is it Mi you’re looking for? I thought this burger would be a win-win kind of situation because I am a gigantic fan of halloumi, and when combined with a juicy burger and some smashed avocado – how could you go wrong?
I’m sad (and slightly shocked) to say though, I wasn’t a big fan. I’m normally very easily pleased with food, but this just didn’t work for me. I’ve thought long and hard about why the flavours were off, and I’ve concluded that it was the harissa mayonnaise.
The ingredients are: Honest beef, British halloumi-style cheese, bacon, smashed avocado, harissa mayo, rocket and pink pickles.
When you look at that list, nothing stands out as being inappropriate for the mix. But it was definitely the mayonnaise that caused my dislike. And if I ever ordered this burger again, I would hold that ingredient altogether.
The juiciness of the burger, the smokiness from the bacon, the grilled texture and flavour from the halloumi, the creaminess of the avocado – these are not sensations that should be covered up, least of all by a condiment.
I think what would’ve worked better is a pesto or chimichurri, or a tomato chutney. Or for a cheeky breakfast-spin – a perfectly fried egg with a runny yolk, sandwiched in between the avocado, bacon and cheese. MMMM.
But that’s just my opinion.
Other than this experience of their burger, Honest Burgers’ fries are the best. I love a good, chunky, home-made style chip. When I was little, my parents used to make chips and they would not hold back on the rosemary. So these fries really remind me of that. I also always order their beef & bacon gravy as a dip, which is utterly drool-worthy. I could totally drink it with a straw!
The Halloumi burger is available until 5 October.
Let me know if you try it out, or what your favourite burger is.
SEE: Sip Eat Enjoy 