Restaurant review: Byron

Stating they serve hamburgers "as they should be", Byron had a lot to live up to when a colleague and I visted the newly-opened Exeter branch.

We visted Byron on a sunny weekday and it appeared the people of Exeter had defintely heard of the burger joint’s good reputation, with tables full both inside and out. Byron has been in Exeter for less than two weeks, and is the first to open in the South West. There are over 30 Byron restaurants throughout the UK.

The restaurant was created after it’s founder Tom Byng fell in love with the simple burgers he consumed whilst dining at the Silver Top in Providence, Rhode Island. This American influence is noticeable in both Byron’s décor and menu. Inside the resturant you can chose to sit at a booth table or at a regular table, consisting of a basic table and chairs. If the weather is nice, as it was on our visit, you can opt to sit outside.

I looked at the menu ahead of our visit, and have to admit I was disappointed. Although all eight burgers sounded delicious, I had expected more choice. Since dining at Byron’s I can tell you my reservations were unfounded.

My colleague and I both tried the Byron burger, which consisted of a hamburger, dry cure bacon, mature cheddar, lettuce, tomato, red onion and Byron sauce.

Since eating at Byron I have discovered that you don’t need vast choice when the burgers taste that good. The quality of the meat, with the beef sourced from Scotland, can clearly be tasted. Additional toppings and wacky sauces, I feel, would have just taken away the flavour. Despite loving our food charcoaled, my collegue and I were advised to try our burgers either medium or medium done, so as to taste the full flavour of the beef. I cannot stand a pink burger, but next time I dine at Byron’s (which I will be doing) I shall choose for my burger to be cooked medium. If my burger tasted that good cooked medium done, I certainly want to try it cooked medium!

As well as our burgers we also shared a portion of skin on fries with aioli dip, which was recommended by the friendly waiter. Both were delicious. However, if you are going to Byron on a date do not order this extremly garlicy sauce!

To ensure we had fully experienced all Byron had to offer, we also treated ourselves to dessert. I consumed the extremly creamy White Chocolate Cheesecake, whilst my colleague had the strawberry and cream sundae. The cheesecake can’t be faulted, but is perhaps not the dessert of choice for a lunch hour! The strawberry and cream sundae is a much better choice for those after a refreshing and light dessert.

Our meal was washed down with both fresh lemonade and lemon iced tea. However, those after something with a bit more of a kick can choose from a whole host of alcoholic beverages.

If you are after a cheap and cheerful lunch/dinner, then Byron is perhaps not the place to visit. However, if you can afford around £10 for a burger, then you are in for a treat as the quality is well worth the price.

Byron can be found in Exeter’s Princesshay Shopping Centre.