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“My burger is better than your burger,” she says looking up at me through her long eyelashes and taking a huge chunk out of her cheeseburger.
“Is that so?” I replied twiddling my thumbs and waiting for my Mexicano to arrive.
It was our first date, well a meet-up. Something casual to try and get to know each other, and I had chosen Let’s Burger, an American style burger joint in the hip Sanlitun. Nothing too expensive, and a really easygoing but classy atmosphere that’s spacious but intimate enough for two people.
“Yeah, well, I already know. I mean look at it: crispy bacon, Spanish onion, gherkin and look at this cheese! It’s…mozzarella! Not like that plastic cheese you find in other burgers.”
I was salivating already. Looking at the open kitchen in front of me I was itching for my burger to arrive and already I could see them in the process of putting my burger together.
“Here it comes,” I say, as the waitress places it in front of me.
“Whoa!” we both exclaim.
This was a Mexicano like none I’d ever seen before. A chunky beef patty with organic lettuce, tomato and mushrooms, covered with homemade chilli con carne and a sparkling jalapeno garnished on top.
“OK, let’s see if I can tackle this.” I cover it with the bread top and attempt to pick it up with my hands, but already I could tell it was going to be a messy affair.
“Better use my fork and knife. Mmmmm, good!” I say nodding my head.
It was slightly spicy, with quality grilled minced beef and with the kidney beans I felt like I was getting my daily required protein.
“It’s a pity they don’t have set meals. I’d love to try their fries and salads.”
“Shall we order some more then?” she asks.
“Sure.” This was great. I loved a girl with an appetite.
Looking at our menu we ticked the gravy fries and the tuna salad, then went to the counter to place our order. I really liked the DIY service of the place. Shouting “fuwuyuan” all the time makes me feel so bourgeois.
As we waited for our other orders to arrive we chatted in between burger bites, and before we knew it our salad and fries had arrived.
“Feel free to choose from our 13 different sauces over there,” said the waitress pointing over to the sauce bar against the wall. However, it didn’t seem necessary. The fat, chunky hand cut fries were drenched in a thick gravy sauce. It was a small serving, especially compared to the price that we paid, but biting into it the quality was all worth it.
“Here’s your portion of the tuna steak,” she says, separating the slightly pink and peppered steak lying in between the two-heaped portions of colourful salad.
“Oh my God!”
“What’s wrong?” I say.
“This tuna steak. It’s divine! Try it.”
And as surprising as her reaction, so was the taste. Soft, tangy, and slightly peppery, this was much better than our burgers combined. But after a few bites it became all too much. The quality burgers, the plate of fries and possibly the best tuna steak I’d ever had had caused our date to come to a filling and satisfying end.
“Can I get you anything else?” says the waitress.
“No, we’re more than satisfied,” I say with a smile. And we were, in the belly, in the quality of the food and atmosphere, and the opportunity to sample burgers the way they should be.

-by Shuk-Wah Chung

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