First post of the year! Happy new year, everyone! I’ll start the year with a great restaurant that’s local to us, one that’s a short bus ride away from me (though likely more of a train journey for most people in London).
I know that there are a million and one burger restaurants and many of them are of a few particular chains. This restaurant, Dexter Burger, is an independent and has some seriously good burgers. Their prices may seem steeper than other burger joints (£9 for a hamburger) but a side of their excellent rosemary and sea salt fries are included. Bearnaise and rocket leaves are default, tomato and onion and jalapenos are free, and other toppings (like cheese) are a small supplement. For a supplement, the fries can also be upgraded. On our first visit there, we both got cheeseburgers (+£1) but I upgraded my fries to sweet potato fries too (+£1).
I really like their burger – it’s incredibly juicy and meaty and they mix a tiny bit of minced onion into the patty as well. The bun is excellent, holding its structure in the face of all those meat juices. Sweet potato fries are, of course, amazing.
Do ask for their homemade sweet chilli sauce (photo above, top right) – it’s wonderful and very addictive.
On a more recent visit, we tried their courgette fries (£3.50) as well and they’re just as good as I expected them to be.
I pushed the boat out and upgraded my fries to chilli rub fries (+£1.20). I had no idea what to expect but was delighted when presented with my pile of fries topped with a chilli sprinkle (the rub, I gather), a chilli mayo, and lots of pickled jalapenos.
The dessert list is short (two items) but the one dessert we have tried (their banoffee pie) was fantastic with lots of cream and toffee sauce.
I love them and am very happy to find a local independent burger place that’s excellent. Watch out for their opening times as they close earlier on Sunday evenings. They have a separate weekend brunch menu as well that’s enticing – baked eggs, pancakes, pork burger?! I’ll be seeing you again, Dexter Burger.
Dexter Burger
10 High Street
Purley CR8 2AA
Tamarind and Thyme 
Tue, 10 Jan, 2017 at 23:50
everything looks great, happy 2017!
Sun, 15 Jan, 2017 at 16:52
It is! Happy 2017 to you and Satoshi!
Wed, 11 Jan, 2017 at 08:40
yum
Sun, 15 Jan, 2017 at 16:52
Oh yes!
Wed, 11 Jan, 2017 at 12:06
I’m so pleased you liked it – it’s my local too, and I love it! I’ve not tried the banoffe pie yet, but having just seen it, it’s certainly something I need in my life very soon.
Sun, 15 Jan, 2017 at 16:52
We need to try the brownie next time!
Sun, 15 Jan, 2017 at 22:26
Looks good – I don’t think I’d realised Purley had anything so interesting – I wonder what else I’ve missed!
I live just down the road in Coulsdon and feel the need to fly my local flag; we’ve had, for about the last six (eight? I’m losing track) months, a new and (IMO) fantastic fine dining restaurant, The Quintessential. I’ve been reading your reviews for years; I think you’d enjoy it, and I’d love to read you review it!
Fri, 28 Apr, 2017 at 12:57
Oh WOW! I need all of this food right now! The chilli rub fries look soo good! The burgers look good too, are they brioche buns?
Sun, 4 Jun, 2017 at 21:16
Yes, they are!!