What is it about burgers that make them so devoutly loved by all? Well, whatever the reason, we couldn’t be more thrilled that back in the 1800s, Sir Ham Burgerston* – inventor of the hamburger – decided to combine his bread, salad, meat, and cheese into one easy-to-eat combo. Because if it weren’t for this intrepid foodie’s daring and innovative mind, the Beijinger never would’ve had the opportunity to host its annual, not to mention highly-anticipated, Burger Festival!

Every summer the Beijinger’s Burger Fest brings together the city’s most beloved slider slingers for a weekend of food-filled fun. Folks get to eat, play games, dance, listen to great music, watch ridiculously silly entertainment, and simply enjoy some amazing summertime vibes with friends and family all weekend long.

This year’s theme is “A Burger Oddyssy” so think everything space-related. However, if a full spacesuit in August sounds a bit too sweaty, feel free to take some inspiration from your favorite cosmic flicks such as Star Wars, Guardians of the Galaxy, or perhaps even Marvin the Martian.

This year’s Burger Fest will take place Aug 6-8 from 11am-8pm at Wangjing Walk. That’s three days of Beijing’s biggest, juiciest, most mouthwatering beef-on-bun belly busters – not to mention plenty of live entertainment, games, drinks, and all-around awesome times. It will be one small bite for a burger fan, one giant chomp for burger kind.

Per tradition, the fest will also mark the start of the Beijinger’s 2021 Burger Cup, an all-out battle royale to decide who will be elected best burger of the year! There’s no better way to decide who you’re voting for than to come out to the fest and give each patty a try!

Tickets are on sale now and you can snag an early bird for RMB 30 by scanning the QR code below.

Or better yet, win tickets to Burger Fest by simply telling us where your favorite burger is in the comments below! Then get your community to agree with you by liking your comment before 6pm Sunday July 18. The top three most liked comments will win 3 tickets each to Burger Fest 2021!

*There is no Sir Ham Burgerston.

KEEP READING: Day 1 of Burger Fest – Don’t Miss Out on The Fun!

Images: Uni You

Tucked into an alley slightly off the beaten path in Beijing’s Gulou neighborhood, there is a bar and restaurant serving an Indian-inspired menu. Easy to miss, the aptly named Side Street is housed in a fairly small space, decorated with local art. The brain child of two young entrepreneurs, Side Street fuses together different culinary experiences, namely Indian and American. For their entry into the 2019 Burger Cup, co-owners Uday Phalgun, Purnima Sharma, and cook Henry Timberlake developed three awe-inspiring new burgers with fantastically flavorful twists. Narrowly missing out on 3rd place in this year’s competition, these burgers are still definitely something we recommend you try.

K.O.

The K.O. (RMB 68) – the first of three new additions to the Side Street menu – features two 100g patties, dueling cheeses, IPA caramelized onions and their signature “Secret K.O.“ sauce, whose ingredients (though pressed) the owners would not disclose. Arguably the most meaty of the three, this burger is a prime example of what we imagined a fusion theme would inspire in a dish. Bursting with flavor, the caramelized onions are definitely a highlight which readily merges with the beef.

The Mountain (RMB 75), features BBQ sauce, a mound of keema (Indian Beef Chili), Jalapeños, Frito chips, and pickled red onions, making it an indisputable favorite among loyal patrons. The crunchy Fritos add a wonderful texture to the burger, which radiates aromatic spices. Like “The K.O.“, “The Mountain“ is served with an additional pickle – a welcome, though not overly spicy, surprise with an almost fruity flavor.

Southern Tikka Masala Burger

For those of you seeking to divert from the classic beef burger, Side Street features the Southern Tikka Masala Burger (RMB 58), featuring fried chicken marinated in jalapeño buttermilk, homemade masala gravy, melted cheese, tamarind aioli, and grilled slaw. Crunchy and flaky on the outside while wonderfully juicy on the inside, this chicken is packed with concentrated flavors – delivering in both taste and texture. The fresh veg is a welcome addition to this burger – adding a fresh feel while simultaneously satisfying your plan to eat healthily this summer.

Finally, if you are meat free, Side Street also has you covered as their vegan and vegetarian burgers are among the best in town, including the signature Hutong Hipster, which features a potato and spinach patty paired with a combination of tamarind and spicy mint chutney.

The Mountain

All of these massive burgers are served with a healthily portion of thinly sliced fries, a characteristic which allows them to retain their delicious crunch. This is also great because you don’t need to order it additionally on the side like some burger-focused venues, which makes for an added (ungracious) cost to those seeking the perfect burger experience. Who orders a burger without fries? Needless to say, if good service and fair prices are your game – check out Side Street. You won’t be disappointed.

Side Street

Daily 5pm-late. 113-02 Jiaodaokou Dongdajie, Dongcheng District

东城区交道口东大街113-02

(156 5280 3365)

This article appeared in the beijingkids July-August 2019 Teen Takeover issue

Photos: Kipp Whittaker