#FtLionAwards 2023 Burger of the Year shortlist

East London’s Bun & Sum in Eleanor Street’s Bow Triangle Business Centre has been a popular destination for burger aficionados.

They served us this American LA-style Pastrami Burger with two exquisitely caramelised beef patties topped with umami-rich layers of the most wonderous smoked pastrami slices you’ll ever have.

As part of FtLion’s Leicester Halal food tour, Cattle & Smoke on the busy stretch of Evington Road served us this stonking Southern Nashville Chicken Burger.

With a Southern Nashville-inspired batter that was herbaceous and very addictive, this was fried to a crispy finish on the outside, while being tender and succulent on the in, and completed with pink slaw, topped with cheese, gherkins and mayo, in a toasted fluffy brioche bun.

While Chef Brinder Narula at Kachori in London’s Elephant Castle has served contenders for ‘Best Main’ and ‘Best Seafood’, he also has this Chaas Chicken Burger in with a chance.

This absolutely floored us, with an astoundingly good buttermilk chicken fillet made even better by the mango chutney smothered on top. Incredibly moist on the inside while being lightly crispy on the out, swiping this through that blood red tikka masala sauce took this to another level.

Manzanos peri peri restaurant in Bristol was featured as part of FtLion’s Halal restaurant tour of Wales. Their recently introduced Tikka Burger had been turning heads, we were told, and we can see why.

Although presented with a marinated chicken breast, cheese, red onions, lettuce, and topped with mayo and burger sauce, we upgraded it at request with the inclusion of a juicy beef patty. The end result was a burger bursting with flavour. An absolute delight.

With their BBQ Beef Ribs up for a shout in the last category, ‘Best Grill’, this time it’s the Smoky Brisket burger that was introduced earlier this year.

With pieces of slow-cooked pulled beef brisket taken to the next level by the addition of caramelised grilled onions, some tangy coleslaw and gherkins, and mixed with a smoky BBQ sauce, it’s unsurprising to learn that this is already a best-seller.

Wing Stack in Wales’ capital, Cardiff, which already has its Mega Box in with a chance of winning ‘Best Main’, also served us their signature Wing Stack Burger.

“Extraordinary!” is how we described this. Coated in a light, delicate and flavourful buttermilk panko coating, this was enhanced with the addition of homemade slaw and inhouse sauces, as well as slices of pickled beetroot. One of the best.