MESA in Hockley are said locally to be serving up the best burger in the city with their infamous Cheeseburger.
You all know that I am a loyal @secretburgerclub man but whenever I talk burgers with the guys even they told me the burger at Mesa was one of the best around. I couldn’t ignore that recommendation.
Add to that hearing Alex Bond of Alchemilla fame talking them up on a recent instagram reel with @NottsHappening and I felt the need and desire to come down and check this out for myself
MESA MENU
The menu description is short “Ex-dairy cheeseburger- bonemarrow burger sauce, onions, gherkins, milk bun”
Now that sounds good! Just what I want, a simple classic cheeseburger, no fuss, no fancy frills, and no gimics
I added a side of Fries for £5.50 which came with a miso dip and confit garlic mayo and of course I was going to need a beer to wash it down with so grabbed myself a bottle of Helles Lagerbier
MESA CHEESEBURGER
First sight of the burger and I was very happy this was looking good! The cheese blanket melting over a nicely seared patty is always a good sign.
The first bite was awesome a very comforting mouthful of soft bun, tasty meat and molten cheese.
I really had to restrain myself from gobbling this down in just a few bites, I felt the need to savour the burger so I did pause for a sip of beer and sample a few fries while I contemplated the moment
As well as that fabulous burger patty, simple accompaniments of a gentle and well flavoured creamy burger sauce made from bone marrow, paired alongside a layer of thinly sliced gherkins and onions add crunch and give just enough cooling tang to cut out any richness.
Pause over? Lets eat some more
BURGER CLOSE UP
After a few more bites I took a closer look at the burger revealing just how fantastic the char on the meat patty was. It was perfectly seared adding plenty of flavour and as with all top level smash burgers that caramelized crust was packing the Maillard made flavours from the press on the grill top adding that extra beefy flavour that all of us fans crave.
That layer of molten cheese dripping from the burger was a perfect foil to the meatiness, but more I say give me some more 🤣😎
The soft milk bun is just the right vessel to house the burger patty, and so important to the experience! There was no danger of it falling apart in your hands and no need for a knife and fork just as a handheld snack should be
FRIES
OK so we also ate some chips and these fries were very good with a good decent crunch, they were perhaps slightly over-seasoned for my liking but the accompanying mayo took the edge off the saltiness and the beer washed the palate clear for another bite of burger
You get a very decent portion, which is what you want considering that the fries are billed as a plate in their own right as opposed to a side dish.
BEER
Beer wise I fell or rather wandered into the trap of getting a big bottle of Helles Lager bier which turned out to be an excellent choice. I could have relied on the glass of tap water served to the table but that wouldn’t have been as much fun
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE BURGER
Final words on the Cheeseburger –
Overall this is a truly excellent Burger and easy 10 out of 10. To sum it up I would describe it as “Uncomplicated with no distractions, a perfectly presented burger cooked with an excellent sear and served up in a bun with just the perfect classic combination of cheese and pickle.”
Do I want another one? I most certainly do!
Will I be back again? I shall endeavour to do so very soon!
MESA in Hockley are located at 24-26 Goosegate fairly opposite the excellent 31K bar
They are not just here for the burgers, they serve up a rather good small plate sharing menu themed seasonally and featuring food cooked over fire. I really need to return to check out a more grown up meal perhaps one that includes a cheeky burger in and amongst the shared plates on the table
Check MESA out on their website and also on their Instagram profile