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After more than a year, I was back to BRGR.Co. Considered to be one of the high-end burger places in Lebanon, this fine eatery serves gourmet creations created by the renowned Chef Hussein Hadid, a person I appreciate and respect. To understand the concept, you have to know Chef Hadid… You have to understand how Hussein thinks, the way he talks about food and prepares it, his opinion about low quality ingredients, his aversion to sauces which he thinks mask mistakes, his motto of preparing everything in-house… and so on.
You might love Brgr.Co, or not be a fan for some reason, but you can never deny the fact that interesting, fine dishes are prepared at the restaurant. The meat is simply meat, without breadcrumbs, eggs, or sauces. The bread is not from Prunelle, but from another, secret supplier and the difference is clearly felt. The side orders are unique on all fronts, like truffle fries, the sloppy Joe or the American hotdogs.
I was back, back for the burgers, back for the finesse and it was all just superb!
Brgr.Co’s interior is unique - concrete floors, three TVs decorate the right wall while a long mirror on the left gives the place a spacious feel. The mix of wood and black leather furniture fits the restaurant perfectly, and small details add a signature touch. My favorite detail must be the cow heads, each uniquely designed by one of Lebanon’s high-end designers, including the likes of Nada Debs, Bokja, Marc Dibeh, Najla El Zein, Karim Chaya. Each cow is designed differently and they create a stunning ambience. I’ve heard that the cows will be auctioned off at the end of the year.
The menu sections:
- Pick a Side, Any Side... (Salads)
- The Burgers
- Hussein Hadid, Gourmet Signature Burgers
- Hand Cut Fries
- Cheeses
- Side Orders
- BRGR.Co Sauces
- BRGR.Co House Dips
- The Sweet Life
- Drink Up
- Ask our waiter about our black board specials and catering
Written on the place mats:
- MARBLING: Marbling is natural fat that is literally "larded" throughout the meat. Good marbling gives beef a superior juiciness and flavor, as this fat melts during the cooking process. Grain fed beef has exceptionally good marbling. Grain fed Australian Black Angus beef, the kind we use at BRGR. CO, is the best of all worlds. Grain fed beef may be more expensive than grass fed breeds, but such superior quality is well worth the extra cost.
- SEASONING: Burgers made with lower quality beef have probably had their flavor enhanced with spices and artificial flavors, often including MSG. Not at BRGR. CO. We're very proud of the way our beef tastes; to alter it with anything more than a shake of salt and grind of pepper would be lacking in integrity, some might even say criminal.
- Grain fed Australian Black Angus beef, the kind we use at BRGR. CO is the best of all worlds. A great experience everyone should try... Save some cash and go try it. It's worth it on all levels.
The food philosophy was described to us; Patties are simply meat. Yes, no ketchup, no sauces, no breadcrumbs, no eggs... Just nothing more than meat, pure cuts of a blend prepared by the finest chefs, Hussein and Dany.
I personally prefer the 6OZ steak, just the right thickness, cooked medium and served with cheddar cheese and caramelized onions on the side. We were lead through the differences between the three versions of meat 4OZ, 6OZ and 8OZ, highlighting the fact that they all contain the same quantity of fat, with more meat as the weights increase. As for the Hussein Hadid’s specials, they are the same, with less fat, and the wonderful chef has added a little magic.
We ordered:
- 6OZ "The Original Blend" A 170g, phenomenal blend of the most tender beef cuts, served medium to preserve the juiciness and the flavor: I agree, the 6OZ is the best one of all. A thick piece of Australian beef, perfectly cooked, brownish from the outside and red on the inside, filled with passion and love. A burger that is fatty – it’s certainly not an everyday meal - but that contains a proportional quantity of fat that melts under your teeth, activating all your palatal buds. Enjoy it without sauce, without ketchup, without mustard. The meat's juice is enough to soften the bun and make your every bite unique. You can’t compare with others in town. Many serve premium burgers... but BRGR.Co serves fine pieces of art.
- 8OZ "The Masterpiece" A culinary work of art containing delectable cuts of beef that carry the flavors of free-range steak. This is a meat lover's dream, best served medium rare to medium: Enjoy a thick piece of meat, red on the inside, served in a large bun, slightly buttered then toasted.
- The 4OZ, NoGarlicNoOnions style: That’s the finest of all and I recommend you try it. Ask for your 4OZ with some add-ons. Sweet relish, the Brgr.co sauce, thinly sliced tomatoes, lettuce and pickles. Now all you have to do is close your eyes and prepare yourself for the thunderstorm.
- Flamin' Chili Fries: Crunchy fries seasoned with fiery chili con carne and paprika spice
- Parmesan Truffle Fries: Crunchy fries tossed in truffle oil and grated Parmesan. An elegant take on an old favorite, Brgr.Co’s truffle fries are different from the others in town and the only ones using a creamy add-on to the fries. The fries are tender and the truffle oil is subtle adding an interesting light aroma and a rich flavor felt like an essence, a truffle essence. Dip in the white cream and enjoy.
- The onion rings are unique indeed. I'm not a fan of onion rings and usually try to avoid them. Today, I was invited to try just one, which led to another and another. Thinly cut, large rings of crunchy onion, finely breaded, oil-free and enjoyable to the last bite. They don't smell of onions and, most importantly, the batter doesn't detach from the onion as you bite into them.
- The special edition Truffle Burger: That’s fine food, just perfect. Just imagine the superb Brgr.Co burger, its premium meat, its fluffy bun, and its juiciness and add to that thinly sliced black truffles. A slight crunch, rich aromas, creating a mix that will make you scream, “AWESOME!”
- The special edition mozzarella and pesto burger with rocket leaves. Even though the mozzarella adds an unpleasant watery effect, I liked this burger, its different textures and tasty finish.
- The hotdog is unique. Imported beef dogs, carefully cut before grilling. They are grilled inside out, which maintains their juiciness, and they are topped with relish, mustard and ketchup. You can ask for some cheddar on top. How about some crunchy chips as well?
- The sloppy Joe sandwich: A Sloppy Joe is a sandwich, originating in the United States, consisting of ground beef, onions, tomato sauce or ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and other seasonings and served on a hotdog bun. If you like meat, that’s your sandwich… it’s crammed with meat and flavor.
The fine culinary experience:
Many don't like it, because many don't understand it. It is not a burger that you grab on your lunch break, but a fine culinary creation to savor a couple of times a month. Compare the comparables, don’t compare others with Brgr.Co.
The details I like:
- Recyclable place mats where "Marbling" "Seasoning" "Australian Beef" are described
- The lighting is just right and very relaxing
- Even though they have an open kitchen the restaurant doesn’t smell
- The staff is very happy and synchronized
- The toilets are very high end
Lunch ended with the Banoffee, a dessert served in an ice cream cup. Cream, bananas, caramel and biscuits. Mouthwatering!
The experience was great, as always. Tasty diner food revisited the fine dining way. Give it a try without any comparisons: Just enjoy it!
