I’ve tried my fair share of burgers (GBK, Honest, Patty & Bun, meatMission to name a fraction) and to be honest, I would say most don’t live up to their hype.

I’ve put two leading burger chains to the test to see which if they’re all they’re cracked up to be…

The Five Guys Hamburger  (£6.75)

4 out of 10

I’ve got so many issues with this place. Il list them for brevity:

1. Little fries are NOT little – think of a large portion of Maccy’s with a few more thrown in the bottom of the bag and you’ll get the idea. This is just a selling ploy to panic you into over-ordering.
2. Yes, you do get lots of fillings for free. But I find them a bit weird. Fried onions? Grilled mushrooms? Green peppers? Not in my bun! (which, in this case, was mediocre.)
3. The patties are super thin and have that weird grey alien look about them like when you open up the bun of a Big Mac. They don’t look or taste like they have much real meat in them and havent got that lovely chew or crust either. At £8 each, I want chew.
4. The whole ‘serve yourself’ format: If I have to queue to order my food then queue again to pick up my food, I am not paying the price of a sit down, table service meal. I can’t justify it- shuffling about with a tray full of food, only to find no tables available. This is something that we all seem to have got used to in this country and I am fed up of it
5. In America, these places are 10 a penny and it is the equivalent of grabbing a Burger King at a train station.
6. Saving grace, the fries are nice and Cajun seasoning on them is really delicious. And you can’t go wrong with free monkey nuts.

In my opinion, Five Guys is one of those places that is only popular because teens and tourists enjoy to walk around after their meal showing off their branded drink cup for hours after they finished it. Just like Starbucks, or festival wristbands.

Some burger chains however deserve their hype because their burgers are fantastic – my favourite of which has to by Byron.

The Byron Proper Hamburger (£9.50)

8 out of 10

1. Byron was founded in 2007 in London by an English bloke who wanted to replicate the food that he enjoyed in America. It has the perfect blend of American inspiration, but executed in a very British style – simple, non-gimmicky, using excellent ingredients and finished with style.
2. The main event is the signature Byron burger- a thick,  juicy, meaty patty that comes medium rare as standard. Yes! Finally a place that’s brave enough to force us fussy Brits to enjoy beef at its best- with a little pink in the middle.
3. The toppings are great. Byron sauce is like a punchier version of classic burger sauce, and simple onion, gherkin, lettuce and tomato are piled up with not too much thickness that the whole thing doesnt fall apart into bits as you take a bite.
4. The chips are just like those great real chips your nan makes at home. They don’t look or taste pre cut or frozen, so even if they are, I don’t care!
5. Table service- hallelujah. A little pricier than Five Guys but with buns like these, I’m willing to pay the price.

My Verdict: you get what you pay for… with the exception of Five guys, where you don’t get what you pay for, and you go up and get it yourself.

I know which one I prefer. What do you think??

Beth