Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) is a sleek and modern restaurant on Friary Street in central Guildford that specialises, as the name would suggest, on providing a quality selection of burgers. GBK opened its first restaurant in Battersea, London back in 2001 and now has over 50 franchises nationwide that serve up some of the best burgers from Brighton to Edinburgh.
The restaurant chain was established by three Kiwis who wanted to bring their native love of the burger to the UK by opening a place that delivers quality, fresh ingredients and fun in equal measure! Since then they have established a menu full of classics and innovative new combinations in an attempt to be crowned the ‘best burgers in town’.
If you have never been to GBK Guildford then let us run you through a few things… The restaurant works on a self-service basis, so after you have been seated by one of the kind waiting staff, it is up to you to make your decision and go back up to the till and order away. This method seems to be more and more popular nowadays, as championed by Nando’s next door and in the newly opened Five Guys across the road in Friary Street. What this system does allow you to do is order fast, especially in a busy restaurant, instead of waiting around for someone to come and take your order.
Secondly, the menu- which is as extensive a burger menu as you are ever likely to see- something that GBK take a lot of pride in. Their beef patties are made with nothing but 100% West Country beef, simply seasoned and cooked fresh to order with most of the burgers being served in a soft sesame seed bun. Particular favourites on the menu are the ‘Kiwi Burger’ featuring beetroot, egg, pineapple, aged Cheddar, salad, mayo and relish (plus a 25p donation to save the kiwi), ‘The Don’ which is American cheese, gorgonzola, bacon aioli, rocket, onion jam, pickled onion and house mayo in a brioche bun and ‘The Wellington’ that includes grilled mushroom, horseradish sauce, rocket, pickled onion and truffle mayo.
And if that doesn’t have you salivating already, then there are plenty more options including a lamb burger, buffalo burger or four chicken options. Not to mention the haddock burger or delicious vegetarian options such as the ‘Billy the Kid’ featuring grilled aubergine, goats cheese, harissa mayo, artichoke pesto, rocket and pickled onion, or their handmade falafels. Also, if buns aren’t really your thing, then you can go ‘naked’ and have your patty accompanied by mixed leaves, homeslaw, tomatoes and onion if you would prefer. Plus, if you are feeling really creative and original then you can build your own burger by putting together whatever combination of ingredients you so wish for.
Of course, no burger would be complete without fries on the side and you have a great choice of rosemary, chunky skin-on, skinny and our personal favourite, sweet potato fries with a delicious homemade dip that is made fresh in the kitchen on the day. Plus if you are feeling really hungry, then you can grab a green salad, homeslaw, coleslaw, corn on the cob or portion of onion rings on top. And the final piece of indulgence to finish off your meal? A delicious speciality milkshake, with popular flavours including Orea, Peanut Butter and Honeycomb- simply heavenly!
GBK Guildford is an enjoyable restaurant with the feel of a diner where you can go for the guarantee of top quality burgers made with fresh ingredients in their open plan kitchen. It is ideally placed at the bottom of central Guildford and you will pleased with the polite and efficient service they provide, whilst walking away with a smile on your face as well as a belly full of delicious food.
James Martin