My prayers have been answered, the only problem is that they have been answered in Portlaoise
Posted on November 8, 2006, by Conor O'Neill, under Restaurants, Reviews.
Best burger ever in Ireland?
Nov 1, 2006 by
Conor
★★★★★ Well over a year ago, I blogged about the lack of burger innovation in Ireland. I recently did a pit stop at the new Midway Food Court on the M7/M8 split outside Portlaoise but was disappointed to only find O’Brien’s open. I went back again on Monday to grab a quick sambo and noticed that one new place was open - “Real Gourmet Burger“. I ran as fast as a fat man can to the counter and was handed a menu. Tears of joy welled up in my eyes as I read “original chargrilled burger with red onion and tomato relish”, “lamb burger with mozzarella and pesto” “spicy chorzio sausage….. I had to sit down to compose myself.
It’s a lovely setup with disposable wooden cutlery and recycled cardboard trays and beautiful seats. I ended up plumping for a guacamole burger “zesty guacamole, aged Irish cheddar, crispy pancetta and tomato relish”, chunky chips and a latte which came to a bit over €14. That is pricey but it was more of a dinner than a lunch and all the ingredients are top quality. The burger was fabulous in a bun by the Bretzel Bakery but I’d have preferred it a smidge less well done (they quote it as medium). Chips were fab and the coffee made O’Brien’s look like a bad paddy joke. It does take 15 mins to get the burger but it is well worth the wait. I was the only diner at 12 midday just after opening but a few more had arrived by 12.30.
This is fast food done right and I hope hope hope that enough people become regulars to allow them to grow into an empire that stretches to at least Cork. If you live in the midlands or are going anywhere on the N7/N8, this is a must-try.
Their web-site is just a holding page right now. If anyone is interested, I’ll scan the menu and post it here. I’m sure they won’t mind a bit of copyright infringement if it drives some business their way.
15 Replies to "My prayers have been answered, the only problem is that they have been answered in Portlaoise "
conor on November 9, 2006
No probs, scanning as I type.
Branedy on November 11, 2006
Maybe too much of a good thing is not a bad thing to be at a distance. If you had this nearer you might be as big as I am 
conor on November 11, 2006
My excuse at the minute is that it is empathy fat for my pregnant wife. I’ll have no excuse come Tuesday, the treadmill will have to be dusted off.
Caroline@Bibliocook on November 17, 2006
Seeing as the Cottage is in north Cork but the job and life during the week is in Dublin, the Boyfriend and I have spent plenty of time on the N7, with not a decent bite to be found anywhere. Looking forward to trying this out - and congratulations on the baba!
Branedy » Real Gourmet Burgers on January 12, 2007
[...] Having read Conor’s experience, with Real Gourmet Burgers I finally had the opportunity to try them out on the way back to Cork from Dublin Friday night. And while I did think the chips (cooked in non-GM oil) were interesting, they were a bit greasy. But the Barbecue Burger was just great. [...]
Branedy on January 13, 2007
I finally got a chance to try a burger there last night on the way down to Cork. The Barbecue was quite a treat, the chips were a bit greasy even though they were using non-GM oil The fryer temp just needed to be up a bit.
The only problem is, I told the wife about it, and now she will be monitoring my visits there 
conor on January 13, 2007
I didn’t like the chips on my second visit - more like wedges really. I think they’d be better off doing very thin frites.
BBQ is next on my list!
All that Foodcourt needs now is a sushi bar and I’m happy for life.
Roger on January 14, 2007
They’re opening up a branch in Dun Laoghaire under the 40ft beside Meadows & Byrne (where Kafe Mocha used to be). Not open yet but expect it to be open pretty shortly.
Caroline@Bibliocook on January 18, 2007
Thanks for the tip-off, Conor. We stopped off there en route back to Dublin after Christmas and I enjoyed their blue cheese burger, although could have done with it being a little less cooked. The Boyfriend had a nice, juicy lamb burger and he was happy with the wedge-style chips too. Well worth a pause in the journey and it definitely beats any of the other options on the Cork-Dublin road!
conor on January 18, 2007
Mmmmmm, Blue Cheese Burger. Hungry now, must eat.
Carol in dublin on January 20, 2007
Yes boys and girls, the Dun Laoghaire branch is open! I had a peek in there today and the menu looks fab, the food smells uuummmmm good, the staff are friendly and the customers were all happily munching away. For Ireland the prices look pretty good. I would behappier if they would do the burgers medium-rare on request but hell, I’ll try it anyway. My mouth watered just looking at the menu. I would’ve eaten on the spot except I had promised the kiddies I’d be home soon with chinese take-away. Maybe tomorrow!
conor on January 21, 2007
Let us know how it goes when you do eat there. I was spreading the burger gospel at BarCamp Ireland SouthEast yesterday!
wonderboy on February 18, 2007
OK, I have now made 3, yes 3, attempts to savor the delights of the Real Gourmet burger but alas no joy..
1st time I was too early
2nd time was a Monday and they are currently closed Monday due to satfing prroblems
3rd ttime was today, Sunday, closed because of a faulty extractor fan!
I WANT A GOURMET BURGER! Reading all your comments just made me hungrier……
Roger on February 18, 2007
I’ve tried twice (in Dun Laoghaire) and they’ve been too busy on both occasions.
elly parker on November 8, 2006
I’d love to see the menu if you wouldn’t mind scanning it!