Foodies can be a fickle bunch - one minute it’s all about New Orleans soul food, the next it's ‘hipster’ pizzas – and many restaurant trends come and go almost overnight. But there’s one craze which has stuck around – and that’s ‘dirty food’, aka fast food with a foodie twist. Even now fast food joints are opening up around the country, serving up big gourmet burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, doughnuts, shakes and even bigger side orders of fries and sides. All with lashings of plastic cheese, of course. Perfect for a hangover, a miserable Monday, or any other time you so fancy. As one writer recently put it: ‘it’s the best worst food you’ll ever eat.’
One of the first to the dirty food trend was restaurant chain Dirty Burger, and its’ cousin, Chicken Shop. I have been a regular visitor to the original establishment in Kentish Town since its opening so was intrigued to see how the new venue in Whitechapel would differ. And I wasn’t disappointed.
THE RESTAURANT
The first difference is that Whitechapel is a Dirty Burger / Chicken Shop combined, where chicken and burgers are joined in meaty harmony under the same roof. Conveniently they are served up with the option of eating in, so you can make a night of it if you want to.
THE SERVICE
Rest assured, service was super speedy as always - so grabbing a quick bite to-go on your way to East London couldn’t be easier (or tastier, for that matter).
DÉCOR AND ATMOSPHERE
The whole place looks (pleasantly) like a gutted out garage, with exposed brickwork, piping, and graffiti in the large doorway. We took a seat at a long wooden bench table, filled with people enjoying the food and atmosphere; the whole place had a warm, friendly vibe, encouraging conversation between friends as well as tables. As the summer gets into full swing (we hope), the restaurant will host a further forty tables outside, and daily special cocktails to keep you cool.
THE FOOD
We opted to try a burger AND chicken (who could blame us?) with a side of corn, coleslaw and fries. Everything was delicious. The chicken, tender and moist, and the fries, crispy but fluffy inside. Dirty Burger in Kentish Town is known for serving the best burger around, and it’s East-London brother doesn’t disappoint. If you want one of the moistest, meatiest burgers around – get yourself down there!
Chicken Shop and Dirty Burger, Whitechapel, 27 Mile End, E1 4TP.