Dirty Burger
79 Highgate Road, Kentish Town, London, NW5 1TL
The amply named Dirty Burger opened today in Kentish Town with the aim to serve no-nonsense, good, ‘back-to-basics’ burgers
Their location behind Pizza East is no co-incidence, since the owner of Pizza East is behind them too! As a venture by Soho House Group, this is an interesting departure from the private members’ club stereotype. Set in an clever corrugated metal shack, this venue says to me “African shanty town” crossed with “porch of a man called Cletus in the Deep South”. Not quite “celebrity hangout”!
There is only ONE burger on the menu… the Cheese burger, although I they are more than happy to serve the same burger without the cheese. They offer TWO sides, “crinkle cut fries” and “onion fries”.
The burger is what I call a ‘Ronseal’ Burger (i.e. it gives you exactly what it says on the tin). It’s unmistakably a cheese burger with lashings of cheese melted on top of a solid patty. Great for those who like to have a burger without all the fanfare of guacamole, caramelised onions, smoked bacon and any number of fancy toppings. This is good, solid, fill-you-up-burger!
Crinkle cut fries is not something that I’ve encountered for a very long time! I don’t know if the crinkle-ness added anything but they were tasty, shortish and not over-salted. (Heavy handed saltiness seems be an affliction in many burger joints in London)
Onion fries are the real ‘must-try’ for Dirty Burger, they were something quite unique. These are short strips of red onion, fried in cider-tempura-batter. Don’t expect a massive cider hit, but they are tasty and the red onions still retained a nice crunch. Love it!
Beware when visiting, this stripped back affair is hidden out of view from the street. Ironically this burger joint is within view of a gym window! Head to the L.A. Fitness signs and into the car-park behind Pizza East where you will find the shack peeking out from behind a fire-escape!
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Dirty Burger is NOT related to Big Dirty Burger in any way.CLICK HERE for more on Big Dirty Burger, who provide the more Antipodean, fancy, ‘everything-in-it’ style burger.
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MORE PHOTOS: PHOTO ALBUM: @DirtyBurger Opening Day! (18 Pictures)
Dirty Burger
Ad: 79 Highgate Road, Kentish Town, London, NW5 1TL (map)
Ww: www.eatdirtyburger.com
Tw: @DirtyBurger
@wilkes888 - London based Food & Drink-o-phile 
Happy to serve the burger with or without cheese eh?
When I tried out Dirty Burger with my partner last night, he asked for a plain cheeseburger, no sauces etc – and the server flat out refused. He said ‘our burgers are served as they come, and if you don’t like something in them, you can pick it out’
So much for service! Eventually, after giving up and saying we’ll go elsewhere, the cook turned around and said he’d make a plain one. When my partner finally bit into it – full of mustard.
Rude. Arrogant. Burger.