Some people do not just like burgers – they love ‘em. I will admit that not irregularly I am overcome by a strong desire to run into an awful fast food chain that sells burgers, fries and the likes and order me a heartattack in fatty foods. We all have our weaknesses – and sometimes a girl just needs a lonesome night on the couch with paper bags draped all over her limbs while gnawing facetiously on bits of dry cheddar cheese stuffed in a bun with a slice of burger. And let me say: I adore those nights and I have come to appreciate this kind of food. We all know it is not quality stuff, but we all need our secret indulgences from time to time.

The Bird is the Word

So far for my personal history with burgers. Apart from the aforementioned naughty chain restaurant, I actually do not go for American fast food. But then, one day, my boss decided we needed another team evening – a casual get together with all collegues from the travel department during which we would eat food and drink drinks. And he chose the American burger joint called The Bird, in the middle of Prenzlauer Berg, am Falkplatz. Because – so argued my boss – we needed a burger-ish kind of place to make sure that everyone from the office would actually be able to eat the food. They were – he claimed – too classic for a Asian restaurant or a sushi soirée. And so we ended up in the Bird, after me personally taking care of the reservations.

Well, what kind of place is the Bird? It is a very casual, large restaurant that enables you to bring loads of friends. It is filled with big benches and simple seating arrangements and essentially caters to the hungry burgerlovers that simply want a burger. And the Bird prides itself in making real, home-made burgers that you are not even allowed to eat with a fork and knife – they want to promote the eating with hands. Also, you will not be adored if you order a burger well-done, since this goes against their own burger bible.

Maybe I am a little prissy bitch, but I never like it when I go to a restaurant and its employees imply they know what I want or how I should eat my food. If I want a black, charred burger and if I am willing to pay for it – they ought to serve it. And yes, I do like some of my meats well-done. So I was already a bit put off by this quite unfriendly semi-cool attitude (explicitly present on the website and the menu).

Burgers in Berlin

I will be succinct: I am not a big fan of the Bird burger meat. They produce really thick and fat burgers that – if you order them the way you are ‘supposed’ to – will be red and bloody on your plate. It is the kind of through and through meaty flavour and texture that I am not a fan of. I prefer my meat either well-done or crispily baked and very subtly juicy. The Bird makes their own burgers with quality meat, which might very well be true – they just do not prepare it the way I enjoy eating burgers. You can order all different kinds of burgers (with fries and gherkins) ranging from simplistic burgers with tomatoes and lettuce all the way to bacon, cheddar and extra onions. Eating the burger in all its glory is a job in itself, as most of the burgers are stacked and presented in such a way that eating the burger will be a mission impossible itself. What a challenge. The prices the burger meals go for at the Bird are quite hefty – starting at 11,50 up til 13 euros. They also offer steaks and side dishes such as chicken wings and caesar salads.

The Bird is a great place if you are into casual, meaty burgers and if you do not mind paying a bit more money for eating it in Prenzlauer Berg. On a side note: it is a very nice and chilled place to chill for a long evening with friends. Just do not expect fabulous cuisine food.

What makes this restaurant fabulous?

• The location is nice – looking out over the Falkplatz and in summer you can sit outside. Always enough space for bigger groups of friends.
• The atmosphere is very chilled and relaxed.

What makes this restaurant less fabulous?

• It is a quite expensive venue for eating a burger and some fries. But, if you are into burger foods: you might love it.
• The restaurant is not pretty or particularly cosy or comfortable. Think American eatery.
• They do not offer desserts. Only on occasion will they have/ make a cheesecake or a dessert-like substance, but their standard menu lacks a Nachspeise. As I love desserts, I was very sad.

Where to go?

The Bird | website
Am Falkplatz 5
10437 Berlin
030 5105 328

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