Beijing Boyce

Pictured here: The first burger sold at the first Beijing outlet of Fat Burger (map), part of a combo (RMB60) with bacon (RMB5) and cheese (RMB5), “fat” fries, and Coke Zero, ordered at 11:01 AM–hey, I skipped breakfast. Here are ten quick points about Fat Burger:

1. One person called it the “best fast food burger I have had in Beijing.” That is a good observation because the dining experience is a bit closer to McDonald’s or Burger King–though the seats are more comfortable and food is delivered to your table–than to, say, Blue Frog, where you might have a few drinks.

2. A regular combo, which includes a single patty burger, fries and soda, is RMB60. A similar combo is RMB80 to RMB110 at places such as Blue Frog, Let’s Burger, and Union, RMB55 to RMB75 at spots such as Luga’s Villa, Saddle Cantina, or The Den, and way less at Burger King.

3. The meat is imported from Australia, due to the ongoing ban on American beef, and is ground on site, while the fries are imported from the U.S. Expect your burger to be well-done. We tried to do one with some “pink” in it but patty thinness makes it difficult.

4. Customers seemed satisfied with their meals, including the five-year-old beside me who was very protective of her burger as she scarfed it down. Fellow burger fan Sarah+1 opined of her meal: “It’s good. There are no surprises and there shouldn’t be.” The patty texture is good and works well with the flavors and juices from the toppings and sauces, though I’m thinking a double patty would give the burger a better heft  – there’s always next time. I found the “fat” fries a bit heavy – if you like Blue Frog’s fries, you’ll like these.

5. The fountain sodas include Coke Zero, not that common in Beijing. And I do realize the irony of ordering such a beverage while eating a burger topped with bacon and cheese.

6. The person who takes the order shouts it out and the rest of the staff then shout it back in unison. That’s only going to happen during opening day, right?

7. The music is, uh, eclectic, ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Morrissey–was that a song from his “Meat is Murder” album?–to a lot of oft-repeated Men at Work to lulling tunes that made me want a mid-day nap. And yes, you did hear Billy Joel four times in just over an hour.

8. Sandwich/salad joint O’Brien’s shares the same space. The staff looked a bit dejected as their burger flipping colleagues nearby got all the attention.  I tried to cheer them up by buying a coffee — a large is RMB19 and since the wireless signal is OK, this is not a bad place to park for an hour and plough through some emails.

9. Other Fat Burgers are planned in Beijing;  sounds like Sanlitun is high on the list of preferred locations.

10. Some Fat Burger prices: double fat burger – RMB60; triple fatburger RMB80; grilled or deep-fried chicken sandwich – RMB30;  cheese, bacon, or fried egg – RMB5 each. A bacon and egg sandwich is RMB20, a hot dog RMB28, and onion rings, fat fries, or skinny fries RMB20. Milk shakes are not yet available but will be RMB30, while a soft drink is RMB12.

Burger links:
The Sanlitun Burger Battle: A quesadilla twist
Big Mac attack: The 24-hour McDonald’s in Sanlitun Village
Monday walk about: Let’s Burger, Saddle, LPG, Burger King
The Big Bite is back: Kiosk reopens
The Beijing burger battle rages on: 8 songs on CJW
Luga’s Villa: Bumping up burger prices
Sanlitun burger battle: The Rickshaw fights back
Today’s beef: Union Bar & Grill
Let’s Burger: A bit too saucy
Bits and bites: Burger battles et al.