Having passed by Neat Burger numerous times and gazed at the Instagram-worthy interior, I would always find myself wondering if it was just another fast food outlet that doesn’t quite live up to the hype. Fast forward a few months and, after finding out that the establishment is backed by a plant-powered Lewis Hamilton, myself and Katie ducked into the Regent Street branch to escape the rain. The allure of the neon lights, as well as a chance to shoot my outfit in a dry environment, was just too much. As was the chance to try “the vegan answer to Five Guys”.
The interior is covered in the photos above; clean, slick white adorned with hints of green and pink. I quite liked how bright and airy it felt and, even though we popped in at lunchtime on a Thursday, there was plenty of seating to cope with any crowds. Service itself was friendly and fast; Neat Burger has a fairly limited menu (not surprising given the reliance on their partnership with Beyond Meat as the main ingredient) which was a breath of fresh air. I decided to try the Cheeseburger and Sweet Potato Fries. Coming in at a total of £11, it certainly is a little pricier than some meat-based counterparts. However, protecting the planet and thinking about the future does come with a price; Neat Burger works in association with The Eden Projects and for every product sold, a tree is planted. Having a little less change in your pocket doesn’t feel so bad when you bear this in mind.
Now, on to the verdict. It is good. Very good. If you had put a blindfold on my, it would have been difficult to tell the Neat Burger Cheeseburger from a meat alternative. Slightly reminiscent of a McDonalds Cheeseburger, the burger itself was full of flavour and was not dry at all. The “cheese’ tasted like cheese, and the bun from Miller’s Bakery in London was fluffy and sweet. It was moreish and, if it didn’t come with a substantial price tag, you would definitely be hankering for a second one. On the side, the Sweet Potato Fries were a solid option; although I do definitely want to try the numerous variations of Tater Tots on subsequent visits.
There is a plan to roll out Neat Burger nationwide over the next year or so but, until then, you’ll find the only UK branch just off Regent Street. The full menu is here, and I highly recommend checking this place out if you are on the hunt for some decent plant-based fast food. While I’m not sure I could permanently commit to this type of diet, Neat Burger certainly (and literally) offers plenty of food for thought.
