Can't recommend enough (Hamburger Union (London))

Member Name: heatherrr13

Product:	Hamburger Union (London)
Date:	23/02/07 (216 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great tasting food and drink, great prices

Disadvantages: Limited wheelchair access

The first time I went to Hamburger Union was with two girlfriends, after we had seen a glowing review of it in Time Out. Since then I have been back a number of times, introducing different people to it, and this review is based on the last time I went there, which was a couple of days ago, with a male work friend.

Hamburger Union is a restaurant with a fast-food edge. The place is layed out over two rooms; the first one being where you order and the second one being where you eat. As you walk in you are faced with a fast-food style counter with a menu written above it. You order your food and pay here, just as you would in any fast-food restaurant, and then are given a card with a number on. Hamburger Union is, obviously, a burger bar, so the menu generally revolves around this. However, there are a couple of vegetarian options available too.

I have just looked on the website (www.hamburgerunion.com) and they have a copy of the menu on there:

The Union Burger with ketchup, mayo, red onion and lettuce
Cheeseburger with ketchup, mayo, red onion and lettuce
Monterey Jack Cheeseburger with ketchup, mayo, red onion and lettuce
Bacon Cheeseburger with smoked streaky bacon, ketchup, mayo, red onion and lettuce
Monterey Jack & Bacon Cheeseburger with smoked streaky bacon, ketchup, mayo, red onion and lettuce
Chorizo Sausage with olive oil, piquillo pepper and rocket
Barn reared Chicken Sandwich rosemary, lemon and thyme marinade, tomato, lettuce and mayo
Fillet Steak grilled to order with English or French mustard or horseradish, tomato and lettuce
Vegetarian
Citrus Marinated Halloumi chargrilled with red onion, piquillo pepper, beetroot and rocket
Field Mushrooms chargrilled field mushrooms, garlic butter, tomato, red onion and lettuce
Vegetable Sausage Pattie chargrilled with ketchup, mayo, lettuce, and red onion

The menu, I think, borders just on the interesting side of basic, which for a hamburger restaurant is perfect. The prices are also very reasonable, with a meal and a drink usually costing just under or around £10. This time I ordered a cheeseburger, chips, and an orange juice. My friend ordered a chicken sandwich, chips, and a chocolate milkshake. (In regards to alcoholic drinks; there are a number of wines on the menu and a couple of beers)

We were given our numbered card, and then we walked into the room next door. This is where you sit to eat. You can sit where you want; there are about 8 tables for 2 down one side of the room, a large table which could probably fit about 16 people in the middle, and a couple tables for 4 with about 4 tables for 2 down the other side. While we were there there were a large group of girls sitting in the middle on the large table, so we chose one of the small tables at the side. I popped down to the toilet (which are a bit on the small side but fine nonetheless), and then a few minutes later our drinks were brought to us. The orange juice is freshly squeezed, and tastes amazing. Really really good. My friend's milkshake was also very tasty. The food arrived shortly after your drinks; it couldn't have been more than 10 minutes since we first sat down. I had already drank half my orange juice, but this was because I was gulping it down!

When my six-stomached friend was presented with his food he said "is that all the chips?" However, the food is so filling that you really have to struggle to finish everything. The chips are proper chips cut from potatoes and not frozen, so they taste really fresh. The burgers are thick and tasty, the lettuce is plentiful and crisp, and the bread is soft. I really can't fault the food, everything tastes delicious. By the time we were halfway through our meal we had run out of drinks, and although there is a drinks bar at the end of the room, there are also cups and jugs of water you can help yourself to. We just about managed to eat all our food, leaving only a few chips. The great thing about Hamburger Union is that as you have already paid, you don't get waiters buzzing around you after you've finished waving a bill in your face.

Overall, I would definitely recommend Hamburger Union. I personally love the food there, and think it is excellent value for money. Go with a big appetite, and you won't be disappointed!

Hamburger Union is now open in a few locations, though the only one I have visited is the one in London, on Garrick Street, near Covent Garden and The Strand.

Summary: No reason not to go