I'll be honest, I stepped into Ultimate Burger hoping to step out with a negative review in mind…read more
For some reason, I've found myself frequenting American-style burger joints in London, and it's gotten to the point where I've started rooting for the little guy as opposed to the chains. For a stateside equivalent, I saw Ultimate as a Red Robin, and while Red Robin makes some great burgers, I'd much prefer a local place.
Off the bat it was a mixed bag. While the selection was impressive in terms of breadth and uniqueness and the prices reasonable, service was quite slow even though it wasn't overly crowded. However, when the food arrived all notions of a negative review went right out the window.
Primarily, my Smokey Mountain Barbeque Burger was absolutely massive, and I soon realized (as had those around me) that at Ultimate Burger a fork and knife are key. The ingredients used appeared as though they were quite fresh and the burger was cooked just right. One thing I will say is that the burger itself wasn't overly flavourful, but the various compliments made it enjoyable. Additionally, while only a coin over a pound each, my sides of chips and chili con carne were a bit on the mediocre end of the scale.
All in all, I stepped out of Ultimate Burger having eaten an absolutely massive burger, two sides, and 500ml of bottled water for under £15, and while it doesn't come close to South Kensington's Byron, who still wear the crown of Best Burger in London, Ultimate was a good experience. So if you're in the area and absolutely must have a burger, Ultimate Burger is a great value and a good experience. However, the strip of Tottenham Court Road surrounding the Warren Street Station is packed with amazing dining options of all cuisine's, so strongly consider those before resorting to a chain.