Pilgrimage Special

In June and July, I walked 320 miles across the South Coast ("The Old Way") from Canterbury to Southampton. I then transferred to Spain and completed the Camino Ingles ending in Santiago de Compostela.

This gave me the opportunity for a special edition of the blog - here it is.

Somewhat short on detail comparative, but consider it a highlights package:

Chuck & Blade

25 Sun St, Canterbury CT1 2HX

Purpose: Burger Assessment
Good for: Beer
Verdict: Canterbury starting point, good selection of burgers, beers and accompaniments. The burger was fine, but not great, slightly greasy without the associated burger flavour, and the patty reflected that. Only having mustard and ketchup didn't mean the cheese came through which was a shame. I didn't like the skin on chips, a bit of a return to the bad old days. Beer was OK though.

Burger: OK
Cost: £££
Web: https://chuckandbladeburgers.com/
Stars: ***

Real Burgers Lewes

Waterside Centre, North Street, Lewes, BN7 2PE

Purpose: Burger Assessment
Good for: Surprises
Verdict: The only craft burger option in Lewes, although the pub options look good (which is unusual, also why I don't blog pubs often), and I can say that from experience that the Pelham Arms do a good one. It didn't look promising to be fair, the football burger trailer in an office car park, which proves appearances are deceptive. I liked the packaging - the burger wrapped in greaseproof inside a cardboard burger box which I should have photo'd, Five Guys could learn from that. The burger was really good, maybe too much sauce and salad, but I could still taste the beef from the flat-topped and the cheese sauce was layered on so some of that as well. Bun held it altogether and it was quite a mouthful. Simple but delicious. No beer, and I didn't have chips.
Burger: Excellent
Cost: ££
Web: https://www.rblewes.com/
Stars: *****

The Burger Shop

14 - 16 High Street, Arundel, BN18 9AF

Purpose: Burger Assessment
Good for: Onion Lovers
Verdict: Certainly looks the part, good size, all the parts showing, and it doesn't really disappoint - he says damning with faint praise. The overriding taste is of caramelised onion which does overdo it, but you still get a feel for the nicely cooked (medium pink) patty, which has good texture and a bit of competitive flavour. Lettuce is crisp, can't taste the sauce or cheese (you can choose American or Blue, obviously I always have American for blog consistency, but it would work better with blue. Bun barely made it, but wasn't toasted which I always think is a no no. On the whole, pretty decent. Would have been better with less onion. No chips, walking, and no beer- although they do a mix of beers and ciders, and a wine.
Burger: Reasonable
Cost: £££
Web: https://theburgershopco.uk/menu/
Stars: ***

Pass Street Café

26 Deanery Farm Lane, Southgate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1ES

Purpose: Burger Assessment
Good for: Value
Verdict: Another burger only visit, this time in Chichester. Fairly dry, despite the salad and sauce, which is mostly mustard so not overly sauced. Hand shaped, medium cooked patty was also quite dry, nicely seasoned and charred but lacked flavour outside the seasoning. Bun wasn't toasted and only lasted because the content didn't challenge it. Salad (pickles, tomato, lettuce) all good. Decent effort.
Burger: Decent
Cost: ££
Web: https://thepassstreetfood.co.uk/#menu
Stars: ***

Moana Surf Bar

Travesa Street, 9, Ground Floor, 15300, Betanzos

Purpose: Burger Assessment
Good for: Service
Verdict: A very dry bun did not detract from a good burger, decent combination of sauce and excellent tasting meat - albeit with the one bit of bone - nicely seasoned and cooked. Occasional pickle but no other veg (as advertised, but could have done with it). Spanish chips, pale and looking not great, but actually crisp and tasty. Smart service, recommended. Pub,/bar, so beers etc. all good.
Burger: Tasty
Cost: £££
Web: https://moanasurfbar.com/carta/
Stars: ****

Goiko

R. da República de El Salvador, 34, 15701 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain

Purpose: Burger Assessment
Good for: Sauce
Verdict: Normally I wouldn't do a chain, I'm doing two for my last Spanish entries. This is the first, obviously. Massive amounts of veg and sauce swamp what's probably a nice beef patty (choice of rare, medium, well), to the point you can't really taste it - or the pickles which is a trick. Bun squishes but holds together well and the patty eventually appears, good char and decent if maybe over-seasoned flavour. Skin on but crispy fries (alternative choice of wedges), and a decent drink selection seal the deal.
Burger: Enjoyable.
Cost: £££
Web: https://www.goiko.com/es/carta/hamburguesas/
Stars: ***

Pepita

TPraza de Galicia, 3, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain

Purpose: Burger Assessment
Good for: Bread
Verdict: Second chain from Spain. Fries really nice, crispy, not skin on and still managed to taste of potato. Arrived early so not many left by the time the burger arrived which is a little odd but appeared to be standard practice. Weird choice of untoasted artisans bread, not hideous but didn't add anything in my opinion. Also too big for the patty, which when you find it is really good despite being medium to rare and no char, but good and meaty - quality beef, or as we say in North London, ternero. Weirdly you can also taste lettuce, there's also onion, and sauce and cheese which are anonymous. Good wine and beer - Galicia's finest on tap. Filling and enjoyable.
Burger: Quality
Cost: £££
Web: https://www.lapepitaburgerbar.com/nuestra-carta/
Stars: ****

Notorious B.R.G.

72 Castle Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2QD

Purpose: Burger Assessment
Good for: Artistry
Verdict: A very fine looking burger, well presented, constructed, colourful. Never thought I'd say that. Patty a little overcooked, but difficult to tell the taste regardless due to the amount of mustard - which was nice, but a bit swampy. Where not swamped, the burger was really tasty, although none of the parts shone (lettuce, tomato, crispy onion) the whole was very good. Mustard as the overriding condiment is a thing in several burger emporiums, and so again here, but I stress not in a bad way - except perhaps quantity. Skin on fries were good, thick and with the Cajun seasoning (£0.50 extra) crispy and tasty. Selection of bottled beers and canned cocktail, and award winning homemade lemonade.
Burger: Enjoyable.
Cost: £££
Web: The Menu | Meat Eater Options | Notorious BRG (notorious-brg.com)
Stars: ****