Burger Fix is the latest joint to jump on the burger bandwagon, following a string of popular Taipei eateries including Burger & Co, CaliBurger and Evans Burger. But the new craft burger establishment aims to set itself apart from the rest by offering fresh, gourmet options — everything down to the buns are handmade.
Their motto, “healthy burgers, be awesome” is scribbled on a wall in the interior, which boasts a minimalistic design with white walls, tiled floors and simple wooden tables. Patrons can also watch their patties being ground and their buns being made from scratch by aproned chefs fluffing dough through a glass wall peeking into the kitchen.
“Our idea was to open a simple craft burger shop, which is not as simple as it sounds,” says Diva Yang (楊韻凡), a consultant for Burger Fix.
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Photo: Dana Ter, Taipei Times
Their beef, which is imported from the US, contains no added hormones. Every morning, the kitchen staff arrive early to put the beef through a grinder where it is ground not once, but twice, to achieve a soft and tender texture. After grilling, the patty is set aside for two minutes to ensure that the juice won’t soak into the bun.
“Steak-quality hamburgers,” Yang says, is what they’re aiming for.
The tenderness of the meat makes it such that “there’s no need to go digging for dental floss after a couple bites,” Yang says. Indeed, if a customer complains about meat getting stuck in their teeth, the burger goes straight back to the kitchen. And evidently, Burger Fix not only has their patties down pat, but their concept as well.
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Photo: Dana Ter, Taipei Times
“Everyone likes burgers,” Yang says. “You can eat burgers for breakfast, lunch or dinner, hence the name Burger Fix — to capture that craving and satisfaction.”
She adds that customers frequently inquire if Burger Fix is an American brand and are surprised when she tells them that it’s “proudly Taiwanese.” The fact that it’s a Taiwanese brand without a Chinese name might be part of the allure too, she says.
Served on trays with wrappers, the presentation follows that of any American burger joint — no frills. The double cheese burger (NT$265) certainly satisfied my constant meat cravings. The first bite was a memorable one. The meat practically melted in my mouth, and while grease is barely discernible on the outside, a pleasant juiciness was released as I sank my teeth into the double-layered patty encased with dripping cheese.
Photo courtesy of Burger Fix
The texture of the meat was moist, tender and broke apart easily, while the melted cheese provided a runny complement. The handmade buns, which are soft and warm and crisp around the edges, are a nice contrast to the meat and cheese, as well as the lettuce and tomato. I appreciated the fact that pickles and onions were optional — I wasn’t in a particularly savory mood, and quite honestly, the double cheese burger holds its own without added garnishing.
Another burger is the BLT (NT$185). Despite layer upon layer of sizzling bacon, you feel like you’re hardly packing on the pounds (although that’s probably a delusion) as each piece is thinly stripped with minimal oil. Mildly salty and slightly charred on the edges, the texture of the bacon paired wonderfully with the warm handcrafted bun laced with lettuce and tomato.
Fish lovers are not neglected either. Although the Baja crispy fish burger (NT$185) was not my top pick (too much tartar sauce), it’s suitable for diners seeking a lighter option — although who comes to a burger joint to eat something light? The layers of red snapper are warm, crispy and only a tad salty. The tartar sauce helps to bring out the pleasant saltiness of the fish. But there was too much of it, which ended up at times overwhelming the fillet’s taste.
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Photo: Dana Ter, Taipei Times
The BLT and fish burger are available until Sept. 30.
Of course, no meal at a burger joint would be complete without a milkshake. Consisting of three-quarters of handmade ice cream and one-quarter milk, the banana foster milkshake (NT$185) has a rich, creamy texture that’s neither too sweet nor too thick. The taste of the banana is highly discernible, lending natural sweetness to the milkshake. Overall, it is a sweet way to top a savory meal.
As a staunch burger devotee, I appreciated how Burger Fix treats their burgers like a craft. There’s no mass-produced, slap-the-patties-on-the-buns feel in their kitchen. Rather, each burger is carefully crafted down to the charred edges of the bun, yet still manages to deliver simple satisfaction to hungry customers. A fine addition to the growing market catering to Taipei’s gourmet burger lovers.
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