Fat and plump might not always be taken as a compliment until it is a burger you are describing. A fast food favourite across age groups, burgers make for complete meals too. Picture a juicy patty topped with cheese, caramelised onions, fresh lettuce and jalapenos and a bowl of crispy fries. A mouth-watering treat, isn’t it? In Chandigarh, there are plenty of options with cafes and restaurants dishing out their own versions. Here is my guide to the best burgers in the city.
The American chain, known for its steaks, grills and Tex Mex cuisine, is always bustling with energy. If you are craving a true blue American burger, then do not miss the Ultimate Tennessee Lamb Burger available here. The patty is juicy and plump. The portions here never disappoint and you will relish the complete meal package. Another recommendation here is the Hangover Burger that comes topped with a fried egg, caramelized onions, roasted garlic aioli, ripe tomatoes and more. The glaze is the winner here.
With its innovative plating and deconstruction of Indian dishes, it is no surprise that Farzi Cafe has done well to make a fine first impression in Chandigarh. There is a lot on the menu here and if you are looking to surprise yourself, then go for the Galouti Burger. It is gone on to become a bestseller dish and for good reason. It comes layered with galouti kebab, caramelized onions and ghee-roasted tawa boti. It is lip-smacking right till the last bite.
A longtime front-runner when it comes to burgers, Burger King continues to enjoy immense popularity. The food chain has outlets across town and if you are looking to stop by, you can not miss ordering the Mutton Whopper. The portion is more than filling and the patty is juicy and packs in a good meaty flavour. Those looking for vegetarian options can go for the Veg Chilli Cheese Burger that is as fiery as it sounds.
The Tex-Mex cuisine might be very popular at Chili’s but they do fire up a good selection of burgers too. In true American style, their portions are generous and the burgers are heavy-duty. Do look out for new arrivals in the menu. Among the latest to arrive is the Ultimate Bacon Burger. It is a good mix of bacon with cheddar, pickles, lettuce, red onion, tomatoes, jalapeno and more. The burger is served with house-made Garlic Dill Pickles and home-style Fries. If you are looking to sample more, try the Burger Bites which offers 4 mini burgers with smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, sautéed onion and house-made jalapeno aioli. It is a good pick when dining with family or friends.
Another popular name when it comes to fast food, Burgrill has managed to garner foodie fans in a short period of time. Much has to do with their selection of burgers. Looking to combine gourmet flavours with popular preferences, Burgrill’s menu dishes some healthy options too. Do try the Heavy Weight Burger in the vegetarian section. Yes, it lives up to its name. For more familiar flavours, try the Butter Paneer Burger. The non-vegetarian choices are plenty and our pick is the Cheese Mutton Quarter Pounder. It truly packs in a lot.
If you are dining at one of the outlets of Backpackers cafe and are looking to order a burger that is far from American, then go for the Indian Spiced Lamb Burger with Mango Chutney Mayo. It is a refreshing take on the burger and the portion size is good. We love the freshness of ingredients here and the consistency each time. Pair your burger with their signature Cold Coffee. For those looking for a non-meat option, the Mushroom and Feta Burger is a good choice.
Another home-grown brand that has over the years managed to impress foodies with their quality meals and bakery specials. If you are dining in one of their outlets in the city and looking for a meal option, then do try the Chicken Burger. The patty is plump and juicy and the flavours are spot on. You could also try their Spicy Paneer Sliders and team it up with a shake or freshly brewed Coffee.
A fairly new arrival in the city, Hardy’s is dedicated to burgers and you can only order in. The menu packs in a smorgasbord of options in both vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian sections. The Blue Cheese and Onion Rings Burger come highly recommended. It packs in mushrooms, English Roquefort cheese, beer-soaked onion rings, arugula, caramelized onions and melted cheddar, to list a few. There is also the Four Cheese Patty Melt with Madras Curry Mayonnaise for those looking to try a new flavour. The Hardy's Fried Chicken Burger comes with a stuffed patty with 2 types of cheese, English pickles, herbed panko, four spiced mayonnaise, lettuce, shallot, tomatoes et al. It is good to see that they take their burgers seriously!
A local chain, Burger Hub is a one-stop shop for all kinds of burgers. Their menu pays an ode to the dish in all its variations. You will find the likes of Paprika Egg Burger, Fish Chilli Lava Burger, Paneer Thick Burger et al. The recipes for all the burgers have been made in-house and there is a lot of focus on fresh ingredients and flavours. Do ask them for recommendations on what flavours you are looking for. The Grilled Chicken Burger is always a good place to start.
While it might sound like an American chain, not many are aware that it is a home-grown brand spearheaded by a young entrepreneur from the city. It would be quite a miss if you visited the cafe style bakery and did not order their popular Big Black Burger with a portion of salsa fries and coffee. The burger packs in 2 juicy vegetable patties along with a good portion of lettuce and a sauce that tastes more than just mayonnaise. The black look, achieved with edible charcoal, is a conversation starter and actually gives crispness to the bun. It is best to enjoy a meal here without keeping a mental check on the calories. They also offer sliders like Chucklers and Sloppy Joes.
The menu at Boston Bites packs in everything from sub-style sandwiches, pasta, burgers, pizzas along with a good selection of burgers. Our pick is the Grilled Masala Chicken Burger and the Grilled Masala Paneer Burger. The lettuce and accompanying vegetables are usually fresh and you can also request toppings to suit your palate.
A seasoned journalist, Jagmeeta has worked with The Indian Express for 16 years writing extensively on food, popular culture and fashion. A Master's in English, she completed her honours in Journalism from Delhi University and started her career in journalism with New Delhi Television (NDTV) as a reporter. She was part of the launch team for NDTV.com. Having turned a freelance writer and editor in 2016, she has been writing for The Hindustan Times, Chandigarh and is also a contributor for The Voice of Fashion steered by IMG Reliance Ltd as well as Chandigarh's popular lifestyle portal - simplythecity.com.
When she's not reviewing food or dissecting the season's trends, she likes to travel with her daughter and husband, a professional photographer. A photography enthusiast herself, Jagmeeta has also curated photo exhibitions and calls herself a collector of cookbooks and recipes and a proud 'fauji' daughter and sister.
