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Burgers and sustainability

The world's most popular 'fast food' gets organic, yet gourmet, tweaks at Bareburger, City Walk - plus a plant-based version will be on the menu soon

You've gotta love brands that walk the talk. Many will throw around what they believe to be the catchphrases of the day - 'sustainable', 'plant-forward', 'vegan', 'all natural' etc - and make an attempt to jump aboard the healthy train. And then you have the rarer joints that are actively working to reduce their carbon footprint - as in the case of Bareburger. The global burger chain is ranked among the 10 most sustainable restaurants in the US and boasts of being a leader in the 'better burger' trend - where cheap patties are swapped out for more 'upscale', organic ones.
One way the restaurant is pushing for a more eco-friendly menu is by introducing the Beyond Burger this September. Made from yeast extract, coconut oil and pea protein - with bamboo shoots and potato starch to give it structure, and even beets to give it that red, meaty colour - the plant-based burger has been making waves in America, so we were keen to see what the fuss was all about.
The menu still features many favourite meat options, such as the El Matador (prime beef, guacamole and spicy pico de gallo in a brioche bun) that my partner elected to try. I settled for a Classic Beyond Burger with sweet pickles and a 'special sauce'. Verdict: believe the hype. While the El Matador did not disappoint, the texture, look and taste of the latter was so similar to a meat patty that it was the star of the show. We hear the restaurant has reduced exotic meats from its menus in the US - and the UAE is next in line. Who'd have thought we'd be cheering for a burger chain? But we are!
Taste - As mentioned above, the Beyond Burger went well beyond our expectations, and gave us something to write home about. Their spicy Cheese Fries with beef bacon bits and 'wham bam' sauce - yep, we're not making that up! - was quite the indulgence too.
Ambience - The restaurant is meant to be a casual eatery, and so is designed accordingly - with a touch of cheeky, if the framed photgraphs of animals in suits are any indication. There are also artsy 'heads of bears' mounted on the walls, no doubt a play on their name.
Service - Service is as casual as the ambience. We were constantly addressed as 'guys' by the friendly server, and we liked that any questions posed - to manager and wait staff alike - didn't faze them. They were well-informed about the dishes on their menu.
Presentation - Is there a decent way to eat massive burgers? It often feels like construction is not a priority with such burgers, but thankfully, with the help of cutlery, things don't get too messy here. But you might want to watch out for runny juices with the El Matador, thanks to the guac!
Value for money - A burger can cost anywhere between Dh40-60 here - which might be considered to be steep. But I suppose if they're organic, gourmet and all-out revolutionary, there's some justification there. Fries for about as much had our eyebrows raised though.
AT A GLANCE
Bareburger, City Walk Boulevard, Building 9, Al Safa, Dubai
Reservations: 04-3854282
Cost for two: Dh250 (approx.)
karen@khaleejtimes.com