HONEST Burgers in Reading celebrates the best of Berkshire with the town’s very own burger, as well as seasonal offerings.
The restaurant on King Street in the town centre is the home of the Reading burger, which uses regional ingredients to form a Ploughman’s patty.
The beef burger is topped with Waterloo and Heckfield cheeses and handmade tomato and chilli chutney from Berkshire cheese makers Village Maid.
It is then finished with bacon, apple slaw, and rocket, and served with Honest Burgers’ signature rosemary fries.
Adam Layton, head of food and drink, said: “It’s all about the beef, and we’re passionate about it; making it the star is the way it should be, and we’ve always done it at Honest.
“We’re proud of our investment in butcheries and local ingredients; previously we’ve worked with local breweries, even, which imitates what we try to do with all of our ingredients.
“So we always want to by direct from producers and it’s a real joy to deal with the people who have a hand in making those ingredients.”
Mr Layton often travels to source inspiration and ingredients for the restaurant’s seasonal offerings, including visiting the Brooklyn Brewery for last month’s pilsner-infused special.
Of the Reading burger, he said: “Village Maid is a bit of a Berkshire success story; the producers had a really hard time during the pandemic, so we always want to get more people trying their cheeses.
“Heckfield brings the melty cheese, and the Waterloo is more Camembert-style, and that comes from Gary, who unfortunately is no longer with Honest Burgers.
“But he wanted to create a Ploughman’s Lunch in a burger, and it was a perfect fit.”
He explains that the Reading special also proves popular, with around 10% of people who eat at the branch choosing it.
The use of regional ingredients is a big part of the ethos of the company: “We do what feels right to us, which is what reflects the ethos of the two founders, Tom and Phil.
“We do things their way, but it’s also important to be distinct, and we have that reputation to live up to.
“We do things the right way because we like burgers and we want them to stick around, but because its the right thing to do for future generations.”
As well as regional variations, Honest Burgers offers monthly specials: last month saw the Brooklyn Burger, which infused Brooklyn Pilsner into burger, with American cheese, braised onions, and candied bacon.
This month’s is a returning celebration of Christmas, featuring smoked bacon, deep-fried Camembert, cranberry sauch and rocket, and is available with vegan ingredients too.
Honest Burgers also offers plant-based options with Beyond Meat and vegan cheeses, as well as smashed burgers, buffalo burgers, fritters, and grilled chicken.
Full details of what’s on offer, including the monthly specials, is available via: honestburgers.co.uk
