Camel burger newest “healthy” option in Dubai

For 20 UAE dirhams ($5.45), the Local House restaurant offers a quarter pound camel burger, loaded with cheese and smothered in burger sauce.

Ali Ahmad Esmail, Local House assistant manager, told the paper that the burger patties were fat- and cholesterol-free. But he declined to say how the outlet tenderized the tough camel meat.

“It’s a trade secret,” he said.

Camel meat is widely eaten in some Arab countries, but is not typically sold in supermarkets or served in restaurants.

Local House said it was the first to introduce the burger in the United Arab Emirates. A fast food outlet in neighbouring Saudi Arabia had put baby camel burgers on its menu last year.

The camel burger, a hit with residents and tourists, could soon also be on offer in the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower in Dubai, where Local House may open a branch.

The burger is served with fries or potato wedges, it could be washed down with a soft drink or a camel milkshake.