It began with a small misunderstanding: no, not that kind of misstep, no need to post bail. We had an invitation to sample some burgers, at a newly opened fast-food restaurant. In my head I had an image of a slick production, with speedy delivery, and no frills or thrills. I could not have been more wrong. The first surprise was the venue. It would not have looked out of place in Covent Garden, London. There are gleaming black tiles, polished wooden floors, and embellished chalk boards, that list ingredients, the philosophy behind the food, and the specials. Honest Burger restaurants are founded on principles of excellent provenance, locally sourced ingredients, and meticulous attention to detail. Beef comes from small farms in the Scottish Highlands. The burgers are cooked, fresh not frozen, as are the chips. Honest own their own butchers:  their chicken is free-range. They make their own sauces by hand and they taste quite distinctive.

Words: Jean Hill

The staff obviously love what they do: we had great service. To be fair it was speedy, and the burgers melted in the mouth, and were beautifully layered. We loved the sharp taste and chewy texture of the halloumi alongside smashed avocado. The founders’ ethos is about delivering the best of British, and the food, very much including the rosemary-salted chips, is exquisite.

Using just British chuck steak and rib cap, Honest chops the meat rather than mincing it (which keeps the flavour in and the texture more natural and tender) and serves it medium-pink (or cooked to your taste). Their homemade rosemary-salted chips were described by food critic Jay Rayner as ‘edible crystal meth’.  Don’t consider their chips an extra, they are an essential. Almost everything is home-made.

The Liverpool special will be one of nine burgers available on the menu, alongside the Beef (£9 with chips) the Honest burger, the Tribute burger and the vegan Plant burger. Tom Barton, co-founder of Honest Burgers, said: “We met Hafla Hafla when we parked our field kitchen next to them at the Liverpool Craft Beer Expo. We’d heard about Liverpool’s love for all things salt & pepper…When we tried Liam and Tim’s halloumi fries we knew we wanted to get it in our local burger. Beef, halloumi, salt & pepper, sriracha mayo… it’s one of my all-time favourites.”

An exclusive beer collaboration with Black Lodge Brewing will also be available from day one. Bold St Pale is a 4.7% American-hopped pale ale with tropical and grapefruit flavours. G&T is on the drinks’ menu; made with small batch Honest Gin (using botanicals and including cucumber and dill). Bold Street has an exclusive offering of Liverpool Pink G&T, made with The Three Graces Rose Gin, Fever-Tree Aromatic Tonic, rose petals and lemon.

Perfect for lunch-time meets, or leisurely dinners, there is a soothing relaxing atmosphere, where stress melts away. We will definitely be back for more honest to goodness fare.

Tel. 0151 2944909

www.honestburgers.co.uk/locations/liverpool/

For more culinary inspiration, please pay a visit to our food & drink page.