ELISHA EATS
A summer barbecue staple and year-round favourite, Elisha Young shares her go-to spots for the juiciest, most satisfying burgers in town A lthough they’re a surefire crowd-pleaser for almost everyone, I have to admit I’ve never been the biggest fan of Just grillin’
burgers. Perhaps I have some deep-seated trauma from a family barbecue with burgers closer to cremated than crispy. Or maybe I associate them with the slightly depressing specimens at fast food chains. So, why am I penning an entire article on the topic, you might justifiably ask? Well, my apathy means that only the very best burgers get me excited enough to write about them. But for added legitimacy, I did bring a certified burger lover along on my research trips. Keeping it classic For a classic beef burger, Steak & Honour is the undisputed favourite. The red burger vans are very easy to find out and about in Cambridgeshire (see steakandhonour. co.uk for more details), but the sit-down joint on Wheeler Street is definitely worth a visit. The service is fast, friendly and helpful – you can just ask if you’re not sure what to order from the menu – and it’s even the perfect place to sit and do some central Cambridge people watching. The patties are made from pasture-fed Norfolk chuck steak, while the milk buns are sourced from Grain Culture, which was recently named one of Britain’s best bakeries by The Good Food Guide . Oh, and the ketchup is Heinz, of course. You can expect a beautifully constructed burger with identifiable strata of ingredients, including (depending on what you order) crispy bacon, tangy gherkins, onions, fresh lettuce, melty American cheese and generous lashings of sauce. But the menu also has several vegan and vegetarian options, ensuring everyone is well catered for – and the vegetarian burger is genuinely delicious, instead of a tacked-on afterthought. Another spot that’s ideal for a classic burger is the Griddle Bar and Meathouse in Ely, which sources its meat locally from Johnsons of Old Hurst, vegetables from Norfolk Produce and buns from Grain Culture (I’m sensing a theme here). There CHOOSE YOUR FAVE The buttermilk chicken burger from Buffalo Joe’s (top) offers a different kind of indulgence, compared to the rich, beefy flavour of Steak & Honour’s cheeseburger (right)
are four burger options to choose from, ranging from chargrilled chicken to a plant-based patty and even the ‘ultimate’: a behemoth of two patties topped with black garlic ketchup, harissa mayo, sweet caramelised onions and melty cheese. Unlimited potential If red meat isn’t your thing, try Buffalo Joe’s, which serves up fried chicken from the distinctive ‘Green Machine’ food truck. I’ve mentioned the chicken wings here before, but the buttermilk chicken burgers are some of the best in Cambridge. The chicken is exactly how you’d want it – satisfyingly crispy and craggy on the outside, but still moist and juicy when you bite into it. Throw candied bacon and crunchy lettuce into the mix and you have a winning formula on your hands. You can also add a side of wings to your burger order, which is never a bad thing. While we’re on the topic of food trucks, I have a slightly rogue recommendation for all the pescatarians out there: the Pimp My Fish BIG burger. This fish ’n’ chips/burger fusion features
DIY dining
If you can hear the siren call of that barbecue sitting in your shed, why not recreate the gourmet burger experience at home? We’re lucky to have a range of excellent butchers in the city, including Cousins of Newnham, The Art of Meat and Mill Road Butchers, plus farm shops like the Willow Grange Farm Shop and Cafe in Chittering.
crispy panko cod loin and wasabi tartar (for some heat and sharpness), plus spicy roquito peppers, candied lemon and iceberg lettuce. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone mention this online, but it’s worth trying if you fancy something a bit different. When done right, a great burger can convert anyone – even me! See Elisha’s Instagram @elisha.eats for up-to-date reviews of eats around Cambridge
46 AUGUST 2025 CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK
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