Northcote Road - The Burger Wars!!! Post Reply

[juliantenniscoach]

Final word from GBK:-

Hi Julian,


We have been keeping an eye on this forum and there is some great feedback as well as some mixed reviews.



It’s great for us to see.



Thanks,


Zoe



Gourmet Burger Kitchen - Marketing Coordinator

Head Office - 1 Lindsey Street Suite C, 2nd Floor London EC1A 9HP

T: 0845 450 8937 l F: 0845 450 8938

E: zoe.bloor@gbk.co.uk l W: www.gbk.co.uk

[Annabel (admin)]

Well I went to Byron's tonight.

I have to say it was fab!

I can't comment on the beef burgers but the chicken burger was lovely and the thick cut chips with skin on simply scrummy.

Although its a bit unrelated, I loved the striped canopy and yellow sofa as well!

I sometimes I get asked if I get any of these meals for free.

To be clear, I paid for my meal although it was tempting to see if I could name drop and get a free glass of wine. However Mr NappyValleyNet refused to ring them with "an urgent message for Annabel of NappyValleyNet of the Burger Wars fame" on account that both of us would look like dorks!

Seriously, we had a lovely evening

[shopper]

Tried Byron for first time last night and sadly was disappointed - my vote definitely with GBB. I liked what they were trying to do with the ambiance and staff were very nice but I didn't think food was a patch on GBB. Roll was cheapy white flour roll, didn't enjoy the eating sensation as always do at GBB and the burger sat very heavily on stomach all night. Sorry Byron - I can see you are trying but its not good enough yet.

[Chantal2011]

I have to agree - went to Byron a few weeks ago with my mother. Loved the style of the interior, good staff, but awful burger. Tasteless, thin burgers, not a patch on GBK which I have been going to for years and years, and on the whole, they always deliver. Loving the new decor too at GBK - very current.

[LocalPA]

I have been to Byron twice to get a take out and twice have left vowing not to go back. Terrible customer service. Very difficult to even get through the door to place an order. Got the feeling that unless you were eating in and therefore going to pay a tip you were the last thing they needed. Shame. That said I do love the chips!

[8han]

GBK why have you suddenly excluded your own GBK deals at your Northcote branch?!

[pinkgrasshopper]

I'm afraid I was also really disappointed with the burgers at Byron, but visited in week one, so will give them a second chance.

I was put off Cattle Grid by the owners 'humorous' comments on Twitter; post the riots he invited people to have a riot reunion and smash up Byron. It was just a bit too soon after events and he posts a lot of other odd and thoughtless comments, including on one occassion having a go at avgirl who dared to mention a bad experience at one of his restaurants...

[charlietheangel]

Personally I'm a fan of Byron - we loved the branch in Westfield and I was so excited to see the Northcote one arriving. We go most Saturdays with the 12 o'clock kids lunch brigade and I haven't had a bad burger yet. My son loves the chicken burgers, my daughter switches between the mac cheese and the burger and always the chips (how is it that even at 2 they know how good chips are) and I love the Burger. You can taste the quality of the meat and it's always lived up to expectations - which for a foodie are quite high.

Before we had kids we went to GBK a lot but the lack of space (not the food) puts me off now. Cattlegrid is brilliant for steaks and when we manage to get a night out, we'll often pop in for one - limited menu but I think that's why it works, focusing on a few dishes and doing them really well.

All in all, there are possibly a few too many burger restaurants but we are incredibly luck on the Northcote to have so much choice.

[kiwimummy]

Can i post my review MONTHS after this thread last posted?

We had a fab time at Byron. The staff were super helpful, the food was great and the mac and cheese was a massive hit with the fussy eater. Highly recommend.

We still love GBK though. The milkshakes are too good.

Can I also recommend Haché? it's a trek over to clapham common high street, but it was fantastic burgers! A popular choice with Mr Kiwimummy and most convenient before our film at the Picture House. Pretty quick service too. Avoid the sticky chicken wings, ours were awful, but the burgers themselves were delicious. We went without kids, not sure if it's child friendly as we went on a packed saturday night.

just realised it sounds like we only eat out at burger restaurants

[Batsneedfriends]

Dilemma, isn't it?

Double-choc chip shake at GBH or large glass of Tempranillo at Byron - choices, choices ...

[diva636]

After reading all these posts I decided to give GBK a go this afternoon.

I'd already been to Byron and loved the service, the decor and the feeling of space that really helps when you have two boisterous kids. I have to admit the burgers seem over-priced for the quality and they weren't the best I've had by a mile, but all in all it was a good experience.

Went in to GBK today full of hope as I'd seen online they had a good junior menu as well as a voucher deal (two burgers for £12). None of the three booths were available so we sat in the middle and asked to move should one become available. After five minutes the waiter pointed out that the booth table had just become available and he'd get it ready. He cleared the table, vaguely wiped it and then put his coat on and left. Shift clearly over. I waited and waited for the dirty tissues and crumbs to be cleared from the floor/benches and to be called to move. Eventually, we got up and I asked the only waitress if she would mind wiping the bench. She picked up a sopping wet rag, wiped one corner, leaving the rest dirty and huffed off. I wiped it down myself.

The manager appeared to be sat at a table doing rosters. Nearly ten minutes passed and no-one came to our table. There were only four other customers all with food. Eventually we got up and left and no-one even noticed, five of us! The food did look good and the burgers looked better than Byron, but frankly, I wouldn't go back there.

We crossed the road, went to Byron and had a lovely time with really, really good service. Sometimes it's not all about the food, especially when you have kids!

p.s. GBK don't accept vouchers either

[supergirl]

You havecto order at the till at GBK, this is the whole idea

[sadialifestyle]

GBK... Me and my prtner cant get enough of them... bare in mind its only a treat and we are both on very strict diets..

[BTC_Dad]

The Draught House on Northcote Road is, in my opinion, does the best burger on Northcote Road. Try their bacon and cheese burger - it's incredible. They are great with kids as well, 'though this may change if it becomes kids central. Agree with the above - Byron is underwhleming... plus, call me a prude, but having a nubile buxxom lady serve you with "Got Beef" written across her chest is a bit much for a family place, right everyone?

[Batsneedfriends]

Love Byron, but have to admit whoever it was who suggested Hache Clapham Junction is absolutely right - knocks all of them into a cocked hat.

BTW - don't bother with Belgo. Oven fries and burgers like shoe leather.