Leeds seems to be undergoing somewhat of a regeneration at the minute. With the new Trinity Centre and countless new restaurants and bars springing up, Leeds I dare say is becoming exciting again. There’s a new (ish guy) in town. Opened just a few months and sitting in La Senza’s old, high-street spot is Byron. The ever popular London chain has set up shop in Leeds. It’s out with the old nylon panties and in with a spanking new burger joint.
Byron’s menu is simple, a range of nibbles to start and 8 burgers (if you include veggie and chicken). Byron’s focus is on doing a simple thing well. This should be lauded. They say variety is the spice of life – however a line must be drawn. Endless variations on what is essentially brilliant in its simplicity get on my la Senza padded tits. However, Byron do offer a special patty every few months or so to maintain that spice of life. I came down specially to try Byron’s new flavour of the month, ‘The Shady’; their standard 6 oz patty, cooked as you like, accompanied with pickle relish and crispy cheese, American cheese, onion and ketchup.
Byron’s menu is simple, a range of nibbles to start and 8 burgers (if you include veggie and chicken). Byron’s focus is on doing a simple thing well. This should be lauded. They say variety is the spice of life – however a line must be drawn. Endless variations on what is essentially brilliant in its simplicity get on my la Senza padded tits. However, Byron do offer a special patty every few months or so to maintain that spice of life. I came down specially to try Byron’s new flavour of the month, ‘The Shady’; their standard 6 oz patty, cooked as you like, accompanied with pickle relish and crispy cheese, American cheese, onion and ketchup.
| To go with the special, we ordered ‘The Smoky’ under the recommendation from our knowledgeable and friendly waitress, Jordan. While we waited we nibbled Sicillian olives which were damn good. Bright green, juicy and moorish. To drink we had Byron Lager and Byron IPA pale ale. Both were light and hoppy (and I’m told made by Camden Brewery) and the perfect accompaniment to our mains. |  |
The burgers arrived, cooked perfectly medium rare. The meat in both was soft and quite tender on the inside, reminiscent of the steak hache I used to get on my family holidays to Brittany. Turning first to The Shady – the pickle sure packs a punch, tingling on the tongue, and the fried cheese provides an interesting crunchy texture (taking the place of the crunchy lettuce it told to piss off to yoga class).
I must say however that the winner by a stretch was The Smoky. Consisting of smoked cheddar, streaky bacon, crispy fried onions, shredded iceberg, pickles and smoked chilli BBQ sauce it is well balanced, smacking with flavour and providing all the different textures essential for a satisfying chow. It made me happy and ill-inclined to share with my dinner date. These little tastes were munched down with fries and creamy coleslaw, which although nothing to scream about were perfectly fine.
I must say however that the winner by a stretch was The Smoky. Consisting of smoked cheddar, streaky bacon, crispy fried onions, shredded iceberg, pickles and smoked chilli BBQ sauce it is well balanced, smacking with flavour and providing all the different textures essential for a satisfying chow. It made me happy and ill-inclined to share with my dinner date. These little tastes were munched down with fries and creamy coleslaw, which although nothing to scream about were perfectly fine.
 The Shady |  The Smoky |
All in all a thoroughly satisfying dinner. If you want to know more about their specials sign up to the Byron Burger Club. This offers information, a heads up about what’s new and offers invites to their one off events.
9a Lands Ln, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 6AW
0113 243 4444
www.byronhamburgers.com
9a Lands Ln, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 6AW
0113 243 4444
www.byronhamburgers.com
| Article written by Erin Goodall Northern Correspondent for FoodGoblin. |  |
