According to their brand identity, Fatburger is described as “The Last Great Hamburger Stand”. Don’t get us wrong, we think that there are loads of great burgers to choose from both locally and internationally, but Fatburger does have a certain je ne sais quoi to it that makes it if not the last great hamburger stand, a classic one that’s sure to satisfy, and even surprise.
Fatburger’s Kuwait franchise represents the brand well. It is a known fact that in its original Los Angeles location has been delivering some of the best burgers to ever grace anybody’s taste buds since 1952. So what’s impressive is when those who have experienced the founding location can compare its brilliance to Kuwait’s take on its taste, we know that quality comes directly from the source of Fatburger, and that Kuwait is preserving it well.
The Burj Jassem location in Kuwait City offers a modern ambiance that still gives a respectful nod to the Fatburger’s love of all things 1950s – from the diner-style stools at the counter, to the plush vinyl booths throughout the restaurant. Though it is a casual dining experience, comfort is not at a loss and a nostalgic vibe is offered with black and white photos and memorabilia adorning the walls.
Source: bazaar
The menu is no muss, no fuss – burgers, fries, a hot dog, and onion rings. However, the simplicity ends there. The beauty of the Fatburger experience is that it is truly bespoke. While there are existing options consisting of burger toppings to create sandwiches such as The Western, Swiss Mushroom, and Spicy Crispy Sandwich, you also have the option to add up to two extra patties to make a triple burger, and choose your protein between beef or chicken. The choices don’t end there! Chicken options come in both crispy fried or grilled, and you could even opt to any sandwich’s bun in favor for a lettuce wrap, or what is called the Skinny: two patties sandwiching toppings of your choice, from mushrooms, jalapenos, veggies and cheese, to a fried egg and beef bacon strips.
We decided to order a variety of menu items to try out during our visit. A double Fat Burger with two patties, cheese, a fried egg, and the works (lettuce, onion, tomato, pickle), a lettuce bun burger with the works, and a Skinny. To compliment our meal, we added in both fat and skinny fries, a side of cheese sauce, onion rings, and a hot dog for good measure.
Let’s start off by saying that FatBurger’s delicious beef makes a gorgeous patty. Juicy, and wonderfully flavorful, even a mountain of this beef would make for a pleasurable experience. I personally had a single patty, but my double-decker dining counterpart was positively swooning over her bold choice. Imagine what a triple would taste like!
Source: bazaar
The fries are what would be described as sublimely good. What’s nice about Fatburger is that you can choose between skinny fries and fat chips, so disappointment is simply not an option at this diner. While I’m a huge fan of the fat, others were more drawn to the skinny. But the onion rings – these are a non-negotiable for any visit that might be paid to Fatburger. Their onion rings are made from scratch, out of real, never frozen onion, made fresh daily. The best thing about them, besides how crisp and crunchy they are, is that there’s no awkward onion pull! Also, they’re spiced to perfection – if you must have them with sauce, an accompaniment is readily available, but trust me when I say that eating them solo is just as good.
Perhaps because LA sees itself as a middle ground for all American food politics, the Hot Dog was presented in a plethora of varieties. Sliced open, Chicago-style, topped with chopped onion and relish like New York, and shredded cheese like you would find in the Coney Island-style hot dog, it posed as a neutral Switzerland type delicacy for us to enjoy. Enjoy it we did, and it’s worth mentioning that this sandwich was large enough for us to share.
And what’s a visit to Fatburger without indulging in a sweet ending? They do offer a brownie for dessert, but while it admittedly looked enticing, we were there for the milkshakes. An Oreo milkshake, to be specific, blended to perfection and chockfull of decadence to wash down a perfect, comforting meal. Now that’s a fat we’re into.
Fatburger has two locations: Burj Jassem (2296 0601), and Cube Mall (2205 6603/02). They are also available for delivery via Talabat.com. Follow them on Instagram for updates @fatburgerkw. Photography by Muneera Alkhulaifi, @i9ora on Instagram.
