Greedy Cow / Mile End

Who are they?

The Greedy Cow is a fairly well-known burger joint in the Mile End area and can be found just a stone's throw from the tube station. They have been through a few owners since I have been living in the area, but throughout the emphasis has been on burgers, steak and cocktails, with some signature sides and desserts thrown in for good measure. In particular, they have a penchant for offering non-standard meats, so in addition to beef, chicken and pork you can opt for camel, kangaroo or one of the rotating specials (horse, anyone?). Being that I actually live nearby, it seemed mad that it has taken me so long to get around to reviewing them, so here we go.

Thoughts

It's nice to see that even for a Thursday night there were plenty of people in the restaurant and a good mix of students from nearby Queen Mary as well as families and commuters. With such a diverse customer base and busy restaurant even on a Thursday, it's clear that the Greedy Cow must be doing something right.

As for the food, their offerings are limited to burgers, salads and steak, but as with all specialist restaurants, what little they do is done well. There is plenty of choice when it comes to burgers, including beef, chicken, pork and lamb as well as more exotic meats such as ostrich, camel and horse (yes, really), with the usual themed burgers as well as plenty of extras to craft your own.

I opted for the stock Kangaroo burger, made from real 'roo sourced from Smithfield meat market, accompanied by a soft toasted bun, bacon, cheese, lettuce and tomato. So in summary: all the trimmings that you would expect in a burger with a slightly different meat. So what does the bouncy marsupial taste like? The best comparison would be venison, but with a very gamey flavour to it. It certainly works very well in a burger and is a nice change, though it is unlikely to supplant the venerable beef any time soon. In terms of taste as a burger, the effort goes into showcasing the meat itself without too much seasoning, so any subtleties are not necessarily the result of cooking technique or a mix of additional ingredients. Expect something rather straightforward and supported by the extras in the bun, rather than a combination of meats, herbs and sauces mixed for a fine taste sensation. As always, depending on what you're looking this might be right up your street.

Speaking of extras, the cheese and bacon provided a strong complimentary taste but thankfully didn't overpower the patty. Looking on to the sides, the wedges and relish were a great accompaniment as well. With a piquant selection of spices and herbs sprinkled across a slightly crispy surface, each bite revealed soft fluffy innards and really hit the spot, though in retrospect these did seem quite similar to McCain wedges and this has slightly dulled the experience for me. Meanwhile, the massive onion rings also managed a decent outing, though whilst crunchy, they are lacking a little on the onion side of things. All in all was quite a meal to undertake - certainly good value and nothing seemed larger or smaller relative to the other parts of the burger. 

Conclusion

In comparison, these guys are clearly on par with Gourmet Burger Kitchen; much better than the average and nice to see some original and varied meats being offered as well.

Score

7.5/10

Where can I find them?

http://www.greedycow.com/

A stone's throw from Mile End tube station (District, Hammersmith & City and Central Lines)