Burgerij is incredibly family friendly, to the point where my dining companion and I find ourselves having to talk very loudly to hear each other. To be fair, we are seated in the part of the restaurant that also doubles as a playroom for kids. The carpeted area right next to our table is filled with games and toys and, well, lots of noisy children.

We don’t actually mind, as we can see that this concept is a huge success, giving parents the chance to dine out, relax and enjoy a good meal.

The specialty of the house is gourmet hamburgers, made with a nice crusty bread, super fresh ingredients and homemade sauces. “We got the idea from similar restaurants in cities like London, Berlin and Amsterdam,” says Flemish sports journalist Robin Janssens, who started this venture together with former Dutch professional footballer Björn Meeuwsse. They now run a Burgerij in Antwerp and another in nearby Schoten.

The menu lists many tempting options with names like Double Decker (two beef patties and barbecue sauce), Dolce Vita (burger with Provolone cheese, tomato, rocket salad, pancetta, grilled veg and basil-mayonnaise) and Funky Tuna (seared tuna steak with fennel, iceberg lettuce, tomato and wasabi-mayonnaise).

It’s the Smokey Bacon and Matterhorn Cheezy that win our order. Both are enormous, with no less than 180 grams of freshly ground beef of the Belgian Blue variety. They don’t ask you how you’d like it done, so we’re pleased to find it just right – pink and juicy. Mine comes with strips of bacon, which add a whole lot of salty, smoked flavour, plus melted cheddar, crispy lettuce, tomato, pickles, fried onions and a spicy-sweet barbecue sauce.

On the other side of the table, my friend’s tucking into his Matterhorn Cheezy. It only differs from mine in that the cheese is a lovely bitter Swiss Emmental, the red onions are fresh and the sauce is tangy ketchup.

While each of these burgers cost €14.50, you get your money’s worth. They come served with heaps of fresh-cut fries and mayo and a fresh leafy salad. Burgers a la carte cost less, and vegetarians, take heart, there is both a falafel and a veggie burger option for you.

One interesting twist to the Burgerij concept is that patrons are encouraged to suggest their own creations. If you have an idea for a delicious stacked burger combination using up to seven ingredients, then it could very well become Burgerij’s next “Burger of the month”, and named after you.

www.burgerij.be

Two locations (also take-away): Tramplein 2, Antwerp (Berchem); 03.294.06.68
& Brechtsebaan 298, Schoten; 03.345.12.11

Mon-Fri, 12.00-14.30 & 18.00-22.00 + Berchem Sat & Sun, 17.00-22.00;
Schoten Sat, Sun & holidays, 12.00-22.00

Mains: €13.50 - €16

Popular, kid-friendly joint specialising in gourmet hamburgers

Contact Bite at flandersbite@gmail.com