Burgers are having their moment – again – and I for one am thrilled. Brighton and Hove has always had a healthy hamburger offering, but the current burger boom sweeping the city is a joy for my family. At least once a fortnight, the humble hamburger is our treat tea, and we have tried A LOT of the city’s burger joints, from cheap and cheerful to premium patties. We heard only great things about the recently opened Matador, whose mission is to elevate the whole burger-restaurant experience… and where better to do this than in Hove (actually).
Weekday Wonder
The added joy of going out for midweek burgers is not having to think about, cook and clean up after dinner… Never underestimate the joy you feel when dinner is made for you! Also, the vibe in a restaurant on a weekday is usually much more chilled than weekends – and that was the case as we walked through the doors of Matador.
First Impressions
The restaurant is a beautiful space: elegant, cool and welcoming. Artwork showcasing the majesty (literally, the Queen) and playfulness of burgers lines the walls. I think it’s the best spot in Hove for people watching, and we were seated in prime position, the corner window. Drinks were promptly ordered and delivered: a glass of Malbec, local brew Abyss Super Pale, and a Fanta, while we drooled over the menu.
Safe Hands
We discovered owner Ali is the founder of Joe’s Burgers (one of our faves) – this man has form crafting the perfect patty, and we were excited to taste the evolution from those brilliant burger beginnings.
My teenage son quickly chose his favourite. The classic cheeseburger – done right – wins hearts. My husband couldn’t resist the Matador burger – beef, smoked cheese, slow-cooked brisket, shoestring fries and house chilli sauce sandwiched in a fresh brioche bun. Knowing I’d get a bite of the beef burger from at least one of my dining companions, I opted for the Chicken Burger – fried buffalo chicken, house ranch, onion ring and house slaw.
Must-have Sides
The side options are simple yet special. The crispy BBQ popcorn cauliflower and truffle halloumi sticks were a must-have, joined by tenderstem broccoli. Of course, no burger feast would be complete without fries and onion rings. We were advised to order one of each to share by our lovely server, and she was absolutely right.
Nice Buns
Our table was soon covered with food that all smelled amazing! Whilst I took some pics, the boys couldn’t resist digging into the chips. I barely got to see the cheeseburger as my son practically inhaled it. The disappearing trick speaks volumes, as does the minimalist teen review that followed – “Really, really good!” (thumbs up). The signature Matador burger was a big hit too. Piping hot, moist, and bursting with flavour. I managed to secure two bites of that one, omg burger envy.
My Chicken Burger was a jaw-snappingly generous bun-full that I just managed to sink my teeth into. Fresh, crispy and succulent, with a great lingering heat from their house sauce. The quality of the ingredients shone through. The buns held their own – flavoursome, firm yet fluffy, and did their job right down to the last bite. The classic sides were cooked to perfection; the halloumi sticks were barely allowed to cool! The cauliflower popcorn was a delight. We couldn’t have eaten any more if we tried… but we wanted to.
The Verdict
Every meal out should feel like a treat, and dining on a humble burger is no exception – Matador gets this and has nailed it. If this is burgers in Hove, actually, we are sold! Time to try it for yourself…
