A Classic 50s Act at Bud's

Guess how many times have we written about restaurants that specialises in BURGERS in the blog? Nah, don't count (but it will help our stats if you go through our blog over and over, haha!) because I couldn't count either. There are just so many burger shops that I wonder why most people are fascinated with it. Why do they like burgers so much?!? Yes, burgers are quite handy, basically a complete meal, and affordable.. uhmn yeah what was the question again?! Haha. So okay, here we go with another burger restaurant. Again?! Sorry not sorry.

If you pass by Tahlia Street, our favorite Riyadh street at night (NOT!), you will notice the area where the lighthouse-looking building is (used to be Hediard), you'll see a gathering of new restaurants merging with the classics (like Buffalo's). That's called the Galaxy Center. And then you'll notice a shop called Classic Cars or something, that has to do with... old, expensive cars. No, I will not talk about that but it's just apt that it's situated a stone throw away from Bud's Road Classic Diner, one of the retro-ish burger places in Riyadh with half a car and motorcycles as decorations inside!

Bud's Road Classic Diner is a Saudi brand serving American fast food cuisine. It promises a cheerful ambiance that represents the happy 1950s. When you go inside Bud's you'll be reminded of the Frosty Palace in Grease or the Chok'lit Shoppe in Archie's Comics where the characters hang-out after school. A diner is an old-fashioned ice cream parlour slash soda fountain shop that capitalizes on nostalgia in the United States. Bringing it here in Riyadh however makes for a novel restaurant that brings the customers out of Riyadh for a bit. 

Hello to the 50s!

I love the stainless and leather seats, and the car that has a table and chair in between! Coolio! It would have been cooler if it's not in the men's section. The black and white checkered walls are adorned with vintage prints and road signs. The counters are shiny and the tables even have swivelling tiny doors! Awesome! I bet you're counting on a sing and dance number coming out but alas! None.

A nod to the good 'ol happy days of America

Can't use that car, er, table... it's in the men's section. Sigh.

I was honestly gawking at the massive motorcycles above me when I ordered. I mean if you didn't get curious at that retro gas station then you will tie up the theme when you encounter the motorcycle and and vintage car inside. I ordered one of their burgers with barbecue sauce (it has always been my default to anything sweet and savory) and a strawberry milkshake.

Pinks and motorcycles huh? Bring it on! 

Hat's off to the presentation of the burger. It was served on a canteen tray complete with French fries and coleslaw. Now I am not ignoring the burger but I have to tell you, those fries are great! My friend had to steal some from my tray because she ordered salmon! (Hello, who orders salmon at a burger joint?! Someone who wants to rebel against the student pack, that's who!) Anyway, the burger is meaty and juicy. It was not a WOW burger but its definitely good. 

Now this is making me miss my school days! Caf time!

No compromise on this tray! There are condiments though.

One more item that I truly enjoyed, making me wish I can lick off my fingers without losing my poise is the Bud's Wings! They're sweet and spicy and sprinkled with cheese. All my favourite flavours and things in one bucket! I'm salivating just by thinking and writing about them!

Ahhhh my precious!

Lickin', I mean... looking' good!

My friend wasn't awed by her salmon dish (again, her fault for ordering the non-burger dish in a burger restaurant) but she liked it. She had a lemon mint drink with it. The whole green and yellow food ensemble she had going on looked like she's a vegetarian on a burger diner! Crazy right?! Haha!

This dish is screaming healthy to me! Hello green and yellow!

Refreshing, zesty tonic

Anyway, the drink was refreshing and my milkshake was think and creamy and oh-so-sweet! It was sinful and good at the same time. Goodness, the huge motorcycles and leather seats might have brought out the rebel in me! Haha!

Sinfully delectable

So, if you're missing Archie comics and want to be transported to the 50s for an hour or so, visit Bud's Road Classic Diner! Yep, it's a classic! ~ Sundrenched

Bud's Road Classic Diner

Galaxy Center, Tahlia Street

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-11-4611058

W: www.budsroad.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/BudsRoadDiner

Opening Hours: 12:30PM - 1:00AM

An Autograph of TSC Signature

WITH A GROWING and lively food scene in Riyadh, it's best for establishments to make their brands stand out in any way possible. Meet TSC Signature, the full dine-in restaurant of the popular "The Sandwich Company" shops, ergo the "TSC", which has been bubbling with great reviews lately. I was lucky enough to get a treat from one of my friends to come and eat here and I've already seen people talking about it on Foursquare that I simply ought to try it. 

First off, I will apologize for not taking any photos of the interiors of the place because it's a shame that I didn't because the place was pristine! The whole set-up of the restaurant spoke to me...It wasn't a huge space but it appeared that every inch was utilized efficiently and decorated attractively. Upon entering, you will be welcomed by a lush, white seating for waiting guests and inside, you will find dining booths that are aligned along the glass windows that served as a frame for a beautiful garden landscape situated just outside. Open seating was also available.

It would appear that TSC Signature was a fancy, expensive place to eat in, but in fact, it was really quite affordable for a casual dining restaurant. We gazed over the menu and found ourselves less worried. :P They primarily offered burgers, pizzas and pastas (Italian-inspired mostly) and it was a good thing that we hadn't had anything to eat hours before so we were ready to gorge in. 

First up, on the appetizers...our friend J is a big French Fries Addict. I mean, she can definitely survive on planet Earth if fries were the only thing left to eat. So when we saw the Fries Lovers item on the menu, I knew she would definitely order it. 

For the French Fry Lover

The selection is made of regular fries, curly fries, sweet potato fries and potato wedges. I liked the sweet potato fries the best and it's good for sharing. Good thing even though J is a French Fries Addict, she doesn't mind sharing. :P (Love yah moight!) 

Our generous benefactor of the night was G, who ordered an appetizer platter that came in an interesting kind of serving plate that was black and felt like it was made of wood. We would later find out that the rest of the main dishes were served on that same plate. 

Chicken Platter

Unfortunately, I found the chicken on this platter dry and a bit hard. Especially the skewered ones. So it was only the jalapeno cheese that we ended up enjoying. I'm not too sold on this one. 

Meanwhile, I am a big fan of rocket leaves / arugula / gerger and a year ago in our trip to Maldives, I fell in love with figs. So when I saw that they had a Fig (+Arugula) Salad, my heart skipped a beat and it was my first, definite choice. 

Fig Salad

It was tasty and the flavors went well together, but I guess it was too much for just one person to eat all by himself. Too bad my companions weren't a big fan of veggies so there was a lot of arugula left to ignore. In times like these, it's safe to say that one order of this salad is good for sharing. I did eat all the figs tho....it's a rare find! (At least for me). 

We also wanted to try one of their soups so we had the Seafood Chowder. It looked very classy and was also very sumptuous. It was the right kind of creamy with enough varied seafoods like scallops, fish, shrimp and even a big piece of mussel. This dish deserved a thumbs up!

Very, very delicious chowder.

You would think those appetizers alone should have had us filled already...and we were. But in true Filipino foodtrippin' style, we still orders some main course (and dessert!). We couldn't let the treat of our good friend, G go to waste... :P I'm just teasing. Of course we had to try their signature items! 

Pesto Burger

From their long list of seemingly delicious burgers (I was torn between the one with avocado and the one with portobello mushrooms and this one!) I ended up ordering their Pesto Burger with mozzarella and parmesan cheese topped with sun-dried tomatoes and, you guessed it, a handful of arugula. The waiter helped me decide among my choices and it was a real winner! I think this burger was only 35-38SR and it was definitely, definitely great value for my money (well, my friend's money..haha). Every bite was lip-smacking...the richness of the cheese and the subtle sharpness of the pesto went perfectly with the meat. The sun-dried tomato gave it the right amount of tang and the arugula gave it a crunchy texture -- Howaw! It was a party in my mouth! (Do I still need to give a two thumbs up for this, or did my manner of describing it told you I loved it already?)

Blackberry Burger

We had high hopes for this burger. It was novel. It sounded quirky. But as intriguing as the name was, it felt a bit lacking if stacked against the flavor standards already set by the pesto burger. The sauce just didn't have that much of a "punch" to add to the burger. I mean, what could this sauce do for me that ketchup wouldn't do? That was the honest thought in my mind. Other than giving it a fruity aftertaste, my verdict on this Blackberry Burger is just Oh-kay. Nice try. :)

Their version of Chicken Carbonara

G ordered pasta to detour from our burger choices and it was another delicious choice. Creamy and tasty with fresh mushrooms (you could tell). Plus it was hefty and good for sharing. Will recommend. :) 

Other popular items on their menu was their Signature Burger and their Tenderloin Steak (which I believe Sundrenched has already tried). 

To round off the evening, along with a free serving of tea (they have this promo on Foursquare when you check-in, you get free tea/coffee) was their version of a Chocolate Fondant. Nothing too special on my book (as you know I am a Chocolate Fondant aficionado) but it was enough to end the night on a sweet note. 

Service was really good by the way, thanks to an almost all-Filipino staff, if I am not mistaken. Top scores for ambience and decor. Total wallet damage for all that we had? Less than 300SR. There were three of us so I would say that's not bad. If you ask me if I'll be going back there, my answer would be a definitive, YES. And I can sign in on that. ;)

You can find TSC Signature along Abdullah Al Hamdan St. (adjacent to Tahlia St.). It is across Ketchup and Munch Bakery (if you know that area). If not, check out their location on Foursquare and make sure to check out their Facebook and Instagram page. 

Happy food trip!

xoxo,

Eyecandy

Facebook: http://facebook.com/TSC-signature

Twitter: @tsc_signature

Instagram: @tsc_signature

Tel: 011-293-9693

A 19th Century Burger Lands In Riyadh

Please let me write this one already because I'm kind of excited to write a restaurant feature. I'm properly armed this time around! One of the few things I got myself when I was on vacation in the Philippines is a guide book on the dining scene in Manila. It really wouldn't serve its purpose now that I'm back in Riyadh but I bought it for the hope of gleaning words and style in writing food and restaurant features. Remember when I got sick of using the word "delicious"? Hopefully, I brought with me an arsenal of new words that would describe my next gustatory experience. And here comes one now...

The first adjective that I'm going to use is one of my favorite words too: simple (I know, not the most creative of words). That's the first thing that came into my mind when I went to 19th Century Burger in Tahlia Street. You will only choose from 4 items in the menu! I usually get stumped when I go to the more fancy burger houses in Riyadh but in this joint, you only choose from four... beat that! And two of them are not even the usual burgers: one is their chicken burger and the other is their hotdog sandwich. So basically, two options only: 19th Century Burger and Country Burger. Now, that's simple.

The 19th Century Burger

I naturally went for the signature burger: the 19th Century Burger (SR 27) which has 100% certified beef with Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, white onions, and their super secret 19th Century sauce. There are several add-ons that can be chosen from: bacon, egg, mushroom, more onions, more cheese (in swiss or cheddar), etc. I opted to add an egg and remove the tomato (I am not a fan of tomatoes in my burger). I have the burger sliced into two because I am a prim and proper lady who doesn't just chomp on her big, fat burger without class. Joke. Haha! Of course I attack my burger like a madman especially when hangry (angry at being hungry, haha!). I just find a half of a burger easier to handle. Anyway, so I was really excited to eat my huge burger which is good to share if you're generous and on a diet. 

Not a century old.

It's interesting to note that 19th Century, a Saudi brand, makes its patties every day from scratch. They also bake their own buns. I love food grown made in your own backyard. They're freshly-made. The beef patty is definitely heavy and thick. You'll notice that they made use of the best, high quality ingredients they can get their hands on. However, there's a lack of seasoning. My companion, who has eaten in the place when it opened, had the same observation. They seemed to have held the salt and pepper. Well, as a consolation, you have salt and pepper canisters in your table. And the small tub of sauce, which they call the 19th Century Burger sauce (now that's creative!) that gives a tangy, garlicky flavor to the burger. Don't overdose on it though so it won't overpower the beefy goodness of the patty. 

The Country Burger is not that different from the 19th Century Burger. It just has a thinner, lighter burger patty with two slices of swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, white onion, and 19th Century sauce. It's SR 25 a piece. The Chicken Burger (SR 24) has a whole chicken breast with the usual toppings while their Hotdog sandwich (SR 23) features a classic grilled beef hotdog in between a soft, sliced bun. 

Yummy starters!

All orders come with french fries, which you can switch to potato wedges or onion rings for SR 3. Now, you have to know this beforehand because you might feel offended when your starters land on your paper table mat without so much ado (after all, they say it in the mat itself that something will "land" in there). Yes, they dump the fries and onion rings in your table mat. I was amused. Of course, who needs utensils in eating finger food right? Just pick up and dump in your ketchup! 

These onion rings just landed on my table mat!

You should try their Cheesy Fries (SR 17) too! It's oozing with melted cheese (seemed commercial for me but tasty nonetheless), their sauce, bits of beef bacon, and fried onion rings. Don't worry, it comes in its own plate and doesn't get dumped on your paper mat. Haha! I love this because I am a fan of soggy, tasty fries topped with condiments. The fries retain their crispness after being doused with the sauce for a while so it's still good for those who like their fries with a bite. 

The fries took a sauce bath!

19th Century Burger offers good quality burgers that are easier on the pocket than other specialty burger stores. The restaurant is devoid of too much decoration and is swathed in browns and leather. What is it with burgers being associated with macho men and things associated with them (hello cowboys!)?! You don't think we ladies can take on a burger?! Haha! 

Okay, okay, if you're hankering for burger, try the ones that came from the 19th Century. It doesn't taste old, promise!

Super secret chos sauce!

Oh, btw, don't ask for mayonnaise. ~ Sundrenched

19th Century Burger
Tahlia Street,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
T: 920033900
W: www.19thCB.com
FB: www.facebook.com/19thCB
Twitter: @19thCB

Burgers Are Fashionable Again

With over a hundred food and restaurant features we have in the blog since 2009, it's been getting harder and harder to write one. I think I have used up all the adjectives in my arsenal of words that are associated with food. You know how many times I've used the word "delicious" in The Pink Tarha? I don't but I know I've written it many times that if I ever read it again in this entry, I'm ready to pull my hair out. Oh, did I just type delicious earlier? Is that another delicious right there? Ugh.

Anyway, let's talk about Burger Boutique now (hoping I have another word for delicious somewhere). It's one of the restaurants in Riyadh I have always wanted to try because of the great reviews. But when I finally decided to try it with my friends, the restaurant closed for renovation. It was a long wait before they opened again last October. It's now in full swing and burger is fashionable once again!

We did not find Burger Boutique immediately because despite of the changes, the sign is still not that prominent. We were even stumped with the b+f? Shouldn't it be b+b or something? (Burgers + Fries ba ito?! :P) The restaurant only opens at 6:00PM. There was a line at the door already when we arrived 10 minutes before the prayer's end amping up our anticipation. If there's a line, the wait must be worth it. Good thing, there's a vacant table available for us and it's not the most surprising thing... there's a huge wooden ball inside the restaurant that separates the first (bachelor section) and second floor (family area). The sofa sets in the middle gets the vote for the best booths. And the spotlights in each table? Hello feeling celebrity! I love the interiors! The only caveat is I couldn't see my food clearly and the dimmed place was lulling me to sleep.

Unique interiors

The starters in Burger Boutique are trending. They're pretty popular with the Foursquare crowd (yes, The Pink Tarha is in Foursquare so please catch up!) We tried the Dynamite Fries, Maple Sticky Buffalo Wings, and Shrimp Inferno. Aren't their names scary? But seriously, they're the bomb!

One of the best special fries dishes in the city.

We emptied the plate in 5 minutes... or more. ;)

The Dynamite Fries (SR 35) came in a pristine white plate and doused with a unique sauce composed of chipotle ranch, house made chili, crumbled bacon, roasted onions, and jalapeños. The sauce was tangy, the fries were soggy, the taste was addicting. We finished off the fries in record-breaking time. (I mean considering we eat slowly because we talk a lot.) 

Zoomed in; they're tiny in real life

These wings are sensational!

The Maple Sticky Buffalo Wings (SR 45) is a sight to behold. It was glistening in its red, fiery glory. However, the chicken wings were a bit too tiny. We know for a fact that Saudi Arabia's chickens aren't that skinny so we wondered where these teeny ones came from. Haha! This became my favorite though. I am a stickler for the sweet, savory, and spicy. Best eaten using your hands. 

A mountain of hay and sauce

We wish you were crunchier.

We gawked at the Shrimp Inferno (SR 55) when it arrived in our table. We didn't want to ruin this masterpiece. There was a mountain of uh... root vegetable hay (according to the menu). We couldn't find the shrimps at first but we figured out they're inside that beehive of stringy, colorful veggies. It was just okay; not worth its price. 

And then came the burgers...

What beautiful burgers!

Burger Boutique has the most expensive burgers I've tried in Riyadh. I got the Bacon Swiss at SR 40 and my friend went for the Dynamite Double Monster (aka DDM) because she likes everything hot and spicy. It's the most expensive in the Signature Burgers menu at SR 60. Their Wood Fire Burgers go over SR 100. There's the B+F Signature with a grass-fed ribeye patty at SR 110 and Wagyu Burger at SR 120. Whoah!

DDM + Bacon Swiss

What I love about these burgers are their buns. They're pillowy soft and buttery and they complement the beefy patties well. Their burger patties are made from prime natural black angus beef, freshly ground daily. It's also said to be organic, healthy, and environment-friendly (also known as the reasons why the burger is expensive). While the burgers are appetizing, they're a bit expensive for their size. You can further customize your burgers (aka zap it!) by choosing low-fat and fat-free ingredients/toppings.

One of the complaints we all had was that their claim of "spicy" is not spicy at all. Even their Firehouse Sauce is not spicy. Even the jalapenos in our burgers. Have you tried it? What do you think? Are our tongues too used to spiciness already that we couldn't taste it? Also, what's with the flat utensils? It's difficult to eat using them, especially the fork.

You're late but you're fine.

We also tried their Porcini and Roasted Chicken Ravioli (SR 60), part of their entrees. Our waiter warned us at first that we might not like it since the herb taste is overwhelming; we ordered it anyway. And waited, waited some more, waited again... we nearly canceled the pasta because it seemed like they've forgotten about it. It came after we threaten to walk out... nah kidding. It came after we bugged the waiter and he apologized for it. 

It has a light sauce but a rich-tasting ravioli. It was delectable. And the herb taste? There was little hint of it so it's a good thing to be a rebel sometimes. Don't listen to your waiters and go for the food you want!

Of course, a meal is not complete without the dessert. We tried the Chocolate Brownie Pudding (SR 50) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I liked the way they presented it better than its taste.

Gooey chocolatey!

And now, for the highlight of our night in Burger Boutique... the Apple Pie (SR 40). It was, honestly, the best apple pie I have tried in Riyadh. I know I haven't tried a lot of apple pies but seriously, this is delicious ooops exquisite. I couldn't even describe it without salivating over its memory. You have to try a slice! 

I LOVE YOU! <3

Despite the burger in its name, it's not the only food Burger Boutique offers. They have sandwiches, salads, Southern Fried Chicken, and Fillet Mignon. They also have Sliders (mini burgers). Overall, we enjoyed our time in Burger Boutique and if someone would treat us, we'll go back. For now, we leave it for you to visit. We need to refill our wallets first. ;) ~ Sundrenched

Burger Boutique

Mousa Bin Nusair Street,

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-11-2161216

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Burger-Boutique/46167317956

Twitter: @BurgerBoutique_

Instagram: @BurgerBoutique

Map:

In the heart of the city!

Directions: 

1. Take King Fahd Road. Go straight until you reach Musa Bin Nusair Street (before you reach Habib). Turn right and make a U-turn on the traffic light. Burger Boutique is in the third building (from Al Nemer) to your right. It's the building with black glass walls.

2. Take Olaya Road (towards Kingdom Center.) When you reach the traffic light near New Look, Splash, Koton, turn left. Burger Boutique is in the third building (from Al Nemer) to your right. 

Riyadh Food Discoveries

We're always on the lookout for something new in Riyadh, especially when it comes to food. FOOD. Yes, food. Haha! Looking at the gustatory landscape of Riyadh, I observed that there is a lot more left to be desired. There are so many types of cuisine that is waiting to be seen and tasted from other countries. I'm pretty sure that locals and expats alike would be grateful for some Vietnamese cuisine, Hongkong dishes, and maybe some Mediterranean and Greek. However, we can always make do with what we have for now. It's not that easy to open a restaurant in Riyadh anyway.

Here are three food discoveries over the Haj holiday...

HAMBURGINI

Are you ready to line up?

Hailed as the best burger by print magazine Destination Riyadh, Hamburgini has long been a favorite by a lot of locals. A testament to this is the looong line that's always snaking its way from the counter to the outside creating traffic on the street where it's at. They also halt the ordering way before its closing time because of the many burgers they have to create for those who ordered a lot (and we mean A LOT). My brothers have to line up for more than an hour to get their orders. 

The single burger

So what makes these burgers worth the line? First and foremost, it's just SR 9. It's small but it's really worth it. The bun is soft and buttery and the patty is beefy and savory. The tomato and lettuce are fresh and the sauce has a bit of sweet and sour mixed into it. One bun is not enough so yes, order A LOT! And go there early. They are so confident of their burgers that they only have three main items in their menu: Single, Double, and Triple (and by that they just mean the number of patties in your burger and nothing else). You can only add fries and soda. That's it.

Hamburgini

Al Muruj District

Prince Turki Ibn Abdulaziz Al Thani

(in front of Othaim Market)

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

See map here.

T: +966-11-4103330

FB: www.facebook.com/HamburginiSA

Twitter: @HamburginiSA

*****

MR. DAINTY

Cafe Mr. Dainty in Avenue Mall

I am a huge fan of bubble teas in the Philippines. I have no excuse for the amount of bubble teas in various flavors that I consume when I'm in Manila so I am quite disappointed that Riyadh hasn't gotten into the bubble tea craze. I've been waiting for years! (Naks!) Enter Mr. Dainty in AlQasr Mall and Avenue Mall...

Uhmn yup, all mine!

I love their simple Assam bubble tea. It's what I always order. It has a mild sweetness and the tea flavor is not overpowering. The bubbles are chewy too. Try the chocolate flavor too. A large order (SR10 + SR2 for the bubbles) makes me so full I couldn't eat any thing else. Except if it's Mr. Dainty's delicious breads. They have an array of breads that are soft and flavorful. My favorite includes the tuna bun, custard bun, and egg&mushroom bread. The AlQasr branch delivers for a minimum of SR 100.

Mr. Dainty

Second Floor, Avenue Mall (Lulu Hypermarket)

Olaya, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

***

Food court, AlQasr Mall

Suwaidi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Timing: 12:30pm-12:00am

T: +966-11-4574116

*****

BESTBITE DONUTS

AlQasr Mall branch

There are so many donut brands in Riyadh that makes this city probably the sweetest ever. Haha! (Really?! *cough*) Or the most diabetes prone. :P Who doesn't love donuts? I love donuts but not the kind smothered with sugar or syrup. That's why BestBite is a refreshing alternative. It's so refreshing it's not an American brand! It's Chinese!

Less sugar, more flavor!

The bread is what I like in this donut. It's pillowy soft and not at all sweet. It's not covered and glazed with sweet syrup like other brands (*cough* Krispy Kreme *cough*) and not oily. The toppings and fillings give it its distinct taste. I especially like the ones with blueberry and strawberry jam surrounded with whipped cream. Classic flavors include Choco Star, Oreo, Snow White, Black Forest, Almonds, and Pop Corn Flakes. All flavors are SR 6 each. Best Bite also offers hot drinks like espresso, hot chico, tea, cappuccino, and Turkish coffee that goes well with their donut. Not for hot? Then cold drinks like Oreo, Mockha, Corn Flakes, and Mocha Oreo are available too.

BestBite Donuts

Tahlia Street, Sulaimaniah

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-11-2937307

***

Food court, AlQasr Mall

Suwaidi, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

T: +966-53-4468859

The Sophisticated Burgers of GBK

Riyadh is fast becoming the burger capital of Saudi Arabia. I swear! There are so many restaurants serving burgers as their main fare in this city that they're sprouting one after the other faster than we can say "Burgerrr!" Or "Fries!" And most of them have been banking on the organic trend. This is not just fast food burger anymore where everything is prepared and done before the stores even open. This is gourmet burger where the once instant sandwich becomes carefully crafted and sophisticated.

Burger and sophistication? That's one pair you don't get to see every day. After all, we've always seen burgers as fast food. So let me introduce you to Gourmet Burger Kitchen, a restaurant that originated in New Zealand serving innovative and exotic burger combinations made by chef Peter Gordon. The Gourmet Burger Kitchen in Riyadh has been open since October 2012. Why are we just discovering this now?!

Welcome to GBK!

Anyway, we finally got to try Gourmet Burger Kitchen two weeks ago. We've always thought that this store located at the end of Tahlia Street (near the meeting point with Dabab Street) is still under construction. Apparently, it's already open. We came at an inconvenient time, just 45 minutes before salah. Too bad, they usher guests out during prayer time. But then again, being used to our social lives revolving around the prayer times, we indulge the harried but apologetic manager (I was tempted to tell him, "Relax ka lang kuyaaa...") and ordered fast even if we were having a hard time choosing from the menu of burger varieties that were new to us.

Sleek, minimalist interiors

Love the glass walls and the sunshine that pours forth.

A friend ordered the fries with chili con carne and cheese which turned out to be the best chili fries we've ever had in Riyadh. I mean, I haven't had many chili fries in this city but this one has a taste that we couldn't get enough of. It has the authentic taste of the spicy stew down pat (I mean as authentic as my tempered Pinoy palate can identify with).

Holy Hamburgers!

I'M NOT GOING to lie. Often times, I dream about food. Don't hate, I know you do too! And on some days, I have this recurring dream of ... what I would call, a "Holy Hamburger"... one that's surrounded by cherubims singing with a halo shining above it (enter sound effects of heaven opening its gates). This holy hamburger is the burger that you've been craving for. Juicy, tender meat patty grilled to perfection. Crisp lettuce and zingy onions. Generous dollops of mayonnaise with a bit of ketchup and mustard. Gooey, melting cheese cushioning the meat between those warm, soft, sesame-seed-topped buns. You stare at the Holy Hamburger and you just know in your gut, it's THAT good. I've often prayed for this holy hamburger to come to life and reveal itself to me one day. And ladies and gentlemen, I believe the holy hamburger is now here on Earth. My burger prayers have been answered, and I proclaim upon all men who read this: the holy hamburger can be found at Burger Fuel. For now. 

Leave it to me to romanticize food, but they don't call me the Woman of Food for nothing. A couple of months back, the ladies and I discovered this newly opened joint at the corner of Dhabab and Thalateen Street in Riyadh. I have got to give Burger Fuel props because they practically established their restaurant right across a McDonald's joint, which, let's face it, a popular and most obvious choice for many people. Nevertheless, it's something for those who have a heart for trying out something new and maybe, just maybe, you can fall in love. (Yes, I fell in love with this burger. And I'll tell you why!) 

Over the last year, a lot of specialty burger stores have opened around the city. Most of them capitalizing of its organic origins (so as to elevate you from the rest), or just how "big" their portions are  (some would even call it fat) or some sort of special method of cooking (such as smashing, I suppose) that makes their burgers different. They all offer their burger meals at a price range of 23SR to 35SR -- a far, and often outrageous price for a "sandwich" you might say. But then again, there is an apparent market, and the owners of these bad boys know that we foodies like to make it rain when we like it. ;) Pun intended.

Burger Fuel via Franchise

Let's talk venue first: Well, not that they are gender specific, but from my observation, it's pretty "men-centric." I mean, there is an automotive displayed out front with the interior of the restaurant being diner-style inspired. (And they're beside a Goodyear, which is precisely a guy's realm!) The menu itself is not for a fickle-minded lady. I remember telling my friends that their menu list was so straight-forward and simple. No dilly-dallying. One page. Back-to-back. Not rocket science. Not complicated. (Pretty much what I would say about men in general). But this is not to say that this is not a family place. Their Family Section does have a kiddie room where your toddlers can watch TV and play and they have booths big enough to accommodate six people at once but I would say overall, the vibe of the restaurant is very manly. Add to that the servers who mostly have tattoos on them. :) 

Now onto the burgers. Burger Fuel was founded in New Zealand and therefore they pride themselves in using only 100% Pure New Zealand Ground Beef (I think they use the ones featured in the famous Anchor milk cans, LOL, I am kidding New Zealand!) Their gourmet burgers range from beef, chicken and vegetarian and they have some unique items on the menu like the "MotoBites" and the "Monster Burger." So why do I love Burger Fuel and have unabashedly dubbed it as the resting place of the Holy Hamburgers? I instantly got hooked on their burgers because they were just packed with flavor and succulent meat that I have not encountered it in any other specialty burger store. As Joey of Friends would say, "Bread, gooood. Meat, goooood. Sauce, goooood!" Haha. Well, you know that feeling when you bite into something good and you instantly want to do a happy dance in your seat? That's what I feel when I eat at Burger Fuel. 

I've been blabbing for a while now, so let me show you some photos first. 

Are you ready to rummmmmbbbbbbbllllllle???

If you can read the label on the thing above the french fries, that's the Doofer -- a cardboard-folding burger holder that's actually patented by the Burger Fuel company. Yes! Patented! I personally don't think it works for me in terms of helping me hold my burger, but I guess it's just a cool idea. The Doofer btw, is made out 100% recycled material. 

Will it you devour it before it devours you? #monsterburger

They pack their burgers by stamping its kind on the outside. Also handy in case you can't finish the entire thing because let me tell you now, they are not 30SR and above for nothing...these burgers are humongous. 

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Now, when it comes to burgers, I am not prim and proper about it. I like to get messy with it and I don't mind if my fingers get dripped with sauce from time to time. Eating a burger at Burger Fuel would probably require you a one-bite to one-tissue ratio, like me. Unless you have a big mouth. Be warned then, that if you do order at Burger Fuel, consuming it is not for the sitting pretty. You gotta butch it up a bit (it's worth it, I promise). 

The Studnut Stilton, 33SR

Let's start with the Studnut Stilton which showcases mostly, the Stilton cheese sauce and fresh avocado.   When we first ordered this, we were actually expecting sliced avocados inside the burger, but found it to be an avocado spread instead. The distinct smell of the Stilton cheese is there, but taste-wise, the avocado spread prevailed on this one. 

The HotRod, 33SR

Spicy lovebirds, you will like this one -- the HotRod is abundant with jalapenos in between and once you bite in all the elements together, it can make for a wonderful and manageable firework in your mouth.  

The C N Cheese, 30SR

If you like it gooey and cheesy, then the C N Cheese is the obvious choice. The beef is beautifully blanketed by a slice of melted cheddar and powdered with grated parmesan cheese. Can you just imagine how those flavors will mesh in your palates? I can taste it with my mind right now. YUM! 

The Roadster Special, 35SR+ with extra toppings

This is my current favorite and is actually not featured on their regular menu. What makes the Roadster different is the addition of fried onion rings and BBQ sauce. On this particular photo, I had them add bacon to it, because clearly, everything needs a little bacon on it. Ultimate holy hamburger right up there!!! 

V Twin Vege, 27SR

I love me some veggies so it's only right that I pay homage to them at my current favorite burger spot. The V Twin Vege's patty is made out of mushroom, kumara (like sweet potato), chickpea and basil. They top it with a slice of cheddar cheese and plum sauce along with the salad and relish. It's not one of those veggie burgers that makes you believe that you're not eating a veggie burger. This was actually S' observation. But I think that's because it's not made with a soy ingredient, so it doesn't have that "meat-like texture" to it. It does really feel like a literal, veggie pattie. It had a little nutty taste for me and while it wasn't that engaging, you'll know that it's good for you. 

The BF Monster, 35SR

Cross-section of a BF Monster, magnification 100x

Here you have the supreme burger of all the burgers at Burger Fuel, the BF Monster. Squeezed into this giant burger are the 100% pure NZ ground beef, melted cheddar, sliced beetroot, juicy mango, fresh avocado, beef bacon, salad, relish and their signature aioli sauce. This right here is massive and you would really have to dig in it. The crunch of the salad with the mesh of avocado, beet root and mango compliment the flavor of the meat (along with the bacon) and makes for a party in your mouth. Expect the drippings on the bottom as you attack this monster, though. If you have the intestine of a boa constrictor, then by all means, consume one (or two to three) all on your own. But if you have a normal digestive tract, a half portion of this would be enough to satisfy your belly. 

Spud Fries at 9SR

Their fries aren't really anything special except that they aren't as salty as other restaurants have them. They are thickly-cut and you can spend a minute (or as long as you want) on one fry alone. Served with their signature Aioli sauce.

Coke Sakto.

Here's my one beef with them. With burgers THAT huge, they have beverage servings as big as my pinky finger. Srsly. Whatever their reason for serving miniature cola drinks is beyond me. It just doesn't match the vibe at all. Can it be a marketing thing? I don't know. If I were you, pack your own 2.5 liter of Coke. Or bottled water or juice drinks. Unless you want to pair your burgers with their malt shakes (which are normally big in serving naman).

MotoBites, 22SR

And last but not least, one of the more unique finds in their restaurant is the MotoBites side dish. It's a good alternative to fries for once, made of pumpkin and ginger balled up over some crumble. It's texture is closely related to that of a mashed potato but sweeter and tastier because it's made of pumpkin. There is that ground pepper taste as well but you can diffuse that once you dip it in either the aioli sauce or yogurt relish. 

Apart from all the specialty/gourmet burgers in town, I think Burger Fuel is the only one that gives me real value for my money. I would spend 35SR on their burgers on any given day. Heck, I even walked on my own across from Tamimi to their store just to be able to bring home some. That's how good I think it is. 

Burger Fuel is located at Thalateen St. 

Website: http://sa.burgerfuel.com

Contact No.: 011-462-9595

(No Delivery Service, Pick-up only)

As for you fellow daydreamers of good food, keep dreaming. Keep believing. Great tasting food is out there. It is within your reach. If you can imagine it, you can eat it. If all else fails, cook it yourself. Haha! That's what I do. Happy holy hamburgers to all! 

xoxo,

Eyecandy