From spicy to frankly ginormous, there’s plenty of variety in the old reliable staple of fast food. Birmingham has plenty of burgers to choose from, so wade through these drool-worthy contenders at your peril. You’ll be out the door quicker than Jerry outwits Tom at the mercy of these bad boys.
1. Original Patty Men
Self-titled “Purveyors of Filth”, the Original Patty Men are a force to be reckoned with. Choose from an epic list of burgers and wings, including: the Alabama Slammer with a deep fried boneless chicken thigh, lime and ginger slaw, and either Alabama sauce or Frank’s hot sauce; the Pineapple Express with a beef patty, maple coated bacon, roquito chilli peppers, cheddar cheese and pineapple hot sauce; and the Po Money, Po Mushroom with Po boy style breaded ‘shrooms, pickle and cajun Boss Man sauce.
Original Patty Men, 9 Shaw’s Passage, Digbeth, B5 5JG
2. The Meat Shack
A stonker of a patty touched by chilli, American cheese and a golden ration of Rib Man Holy Fuck Sauce. This is what is coined as The Hell Shack and, living up to its name, it causes a fire beneath your chops. But through the flames, you’ll be left begging to come back for another taste. The Meat Shack has that kind of pulling power.
The Meat Shack, 17 Thorp Street, B5 4AT
3. BONEHEAD
All buffalo chicken aficionados need to head to BONEHEAD, for theirs comes in all shapes and spices. When it’s hot, it’s HOT. Pack your milk in preparation for the Nashville seasoning. Sprinkle the rest in molten cheese, gallons of hot sauce, sweet pickles and, my friends, you have yourselves a kickin’ burger. There’s a chickpea alternative for the veggies, and a host of craft beers to wash the heat down. Let’s get it on.
BONEHEAD, 8 Lower Severn Street, B1 1PU
4. Meat Meets Bun
New burger joint on the block, Meat Meets Bun, goes the extra mile with their selection. They aim to defy burger borders and go beyond what you would usually find buddying up to the patty to creat sensational flavours that are just simply drool-worthy. The burger restaurant at Zumhof Biergarten offers delicious stacks dripping with cheese such as their Black & Blue burger- aged beef patty, black pudding crumb, stilton and American cheese, chilli jam, pickle relish, plus black garlic mayo all in a sesame brioche bun. And the result is pretty epic. Meat Meets Bun also uses sustainable retired dairy cattle from acclaimed butcher Meat Matters, with a choice of four beef burgers, alongside their vegan ‘Air’ burger.
Meat Meets Bun, Zumhof Biergarten, 29 Heath Mill Lane, Digbeth, B9 4AL
5. The Patty Freaks
Purveyors of the truly horrible looking Oreo Cheeseburger, The Patty Freaks are just that: freaks. But we mean that with nothing but love, of course. You’ll find them at Hockley Social Club on Thursday through till Sunday, serving up their epic patties. They’re known for some awesome collaborations with local foodies, for example their recent Butter Chicken Burger with Phata-Phat, and a crazy bubble waffle burger with Brummie-based Edibubbles.
The Patty Freaks, Hockley Social Club, 60 Hampton Street, B19 3LU