Restaurant Review: Burger Shed 41

I’ve always been a fan of the burger so I can’t lie, a place claiming to have a shed full of them was definitely appealing.

And after a particularly tiring work week, my colleague (and friend) Fran thought we more than deserved a night out of decent grub and gossip, and suggested Burger Shed 41, a place we had been meaning to try ever since it opened last year.

Fran’s enthusiastic excitement that they served poutine (£3.50) on the menu – an intriguing sounding concoction of fries, cheese and gravy, was the clincher and we almost skipped out of work to get there.

It’s small wonder I have been a lifelong devotee of the Big Mac, because although many places in Chester can and do make a cracking burger, I wouldn’t say there are many places in the city that is exclusive for them. So with this in mind, I was ready to put Burger Shed’s boast that they make ‘the best burgers in Chester’ well and truly to the test.

The latest venture from Ian Wade, the award-winning owner of The Ring O’ Bells in Christleton and pizza restaurant Urbano 32 just across the road on Bridge Street, Burger Shed 41 is based on a classic New York burger bar with an ‘industrial meets vintage’ style interior.

When we arrived we were seated in a booth right in front of where the chefs were cooking. The staff were friendly and attentive, but not too overbearing, which can get on my nerves. We hadn’t picked a busy night but there were still a fair few customers in there.

However, we were well looked after and didn’t have to wait too long before we were asked what we wanted to drink. If I’m being ridiculously picky, the close proximity to the cooker did make us a bit too warm but we persevered as there were more pressing matters, like the drinks menu.

I was intrigued by the Hard Shakes (£7) – consisting of either bourbon, Baileys or root beer mixed with all kinds of delicious sounding delights such as chocolate Oreo, ice cream, maple syrup and ice cream, which sounded absolutely amazing, but sadly I was driving. The shakes also come in a non-alcoholic form but I was worried I’d not have enough room to splurge on the food, so I sensibly opted for an old classic cream soda (£2.50), while Fran had a root beer.

Immediately I was torn between ordering a burger and trying one of the hot dogs, because who doesn’t love a hot dog? (Well, Fran actually because she’s vegetarian) But since I WAS at Burger Shed, I felt I had to go for one of the burgers, and what a choice there was.

Chicken, cheese, bacon cheese, chilli – there seemed so much choice and typical of me, my eyes were bigger than my belly, I wanted to order the lot. But being realistic, I knew I could only actually manage one, so I eventually opted for the Shed Hot Burger (£8) – a beef patty with spicy n’duja Italian sausage, chillies, American cheese, lettuce and tomato.

All the burgers come cooked medium, served in special brioche buns and don’t come with sides, only a gherkin, so I ordered the crinkle cut fries separately, harbouring the sly hope I could help myself to some of Fran’s poutine which we both agreed you can’t eat too much of before the inevitable calorie guilt kicks in. It’s super tasty but slightly sickly if you have too much of it.

For her main, Fran ordered (obviously) the Shed Veggie burger (£7.50) which, even as a hardcore carnivore, I had to admit sounded nice.

Crinkle cut fries (left) and poutine at Burger Shed 41

This consisted of a spicy butterbean and cheese patty, with smashed avocado, lettuce, tomato and crispy onion and she was impressed with it, although not blown away.

If you’re on a carb-free diet (which I most definitely wasn’t), you’ll be able to enjoy the burgers ‘protein style’ in lettuce leaves which come served with the special shed sauce.

This is something that will also please coeliacs like our colleague Jo Henwood, who wages a battle with gluten almost every time we set foot in a restaurant. Gluten-free diners must ask for theirs without the sauce, however.

Service was swift, and it wasn’t long before we were tucking in. I always feel quite overwhelmed at how to attack a burger of a certain magnitude so I cut it in half and ate it that way.

I think my words to Fran were: ‘Omhgmmmmm this is amazing’. It wasn’t too spicy but had just enough of a kick to it, and I actually had to put my knife and fork down to stop me demolishing the thing in seconds.

The fries tasted good, there was a decent portion, but I could have done with a few more of them. Perhaps I am greedy but I think maybe something else on the main plate, like coleslaw, wouldn’t have gone amiss. It didn’t take me long to devour every morsel.

Although I probably could have found room, I didn’t go for any desserts, although the Shed Brownie (£4.50) and doughnuts (£2-£2.50) did sound good. I left with a satisfied tummy and a vow to go back, and try those hot dogs next time.

Chester Chronicle reviewers always pay for their own meal and we don’t tell them in advance that we’re coming to visit.