MEATLiqour

Last week, it got cold and it rained. So what better way to console ourselves over the deepening of Winter than to chow down on some good old fashioned burgers. Burgers, it seems, are getting better and better and yet the quest for perfection is never at an end.
I'm quite happy to munch through the burgers on offer in most places but the problem is, once you've had a really amazing burger, no other burger can compete and to even contemplate a McDonald's is bordering on criminal.
Last Thursday, three friends and I ventured to the hottest burger joint in town, MEATliquor. The trendsters out there will know that this is the new home of the Meatwagon, a burger van that travels around London, unveiling its location on twitter with #meateasy. I'd heard about the meatwagon, the way you do these things but it wasn't until my friend @PollyButton invited me to join her and two friends for a visit to MEATliquor.
When I checked it out online, I realised that this was indeed the mystical place I'd spotted through the bus window but a week earlier so couldn't wait to see what was on offer. Tucked away next to a multi-storey car park, inhabiting what once was an Italian restaurant, I'm told. It doesn't give much away from the outside with the queue being the only real give away of its location. MEATliquor has a strict queuing policy, as detailing on its website (as well as the front door!) and it is enforced so if you join a lengthy queue, fear not for there are no shove-ins allowed and you're not even allowed to head straight inside if you're friends are already there. So that's just how it is and if you're willing to wait up to two hours for a burger then...there's no choice but to join the queue!
Once inside the door, two of us were able to head to the bar to get hold of some much needed lager to see us through the last bit of queuing and gawping at the decor, other diners and of course the trays of burgers flying past. With American rock and roll music blaring and 'burgerettes' strutting, there's a lot to take in until you get your seat.
Once sat down, you'll probably have decided what you're eating, and it won't stop at burgers! The sides, starters and more are hard to choose between and we ordered a bunch. The burgers may look small compared to some, more commercial ventures, but commercial this ain't.
Our order arrived, sides and all on one massive steel tray, covered in striped paper. No plates for your burger, wings, onion rings or pickles, the messier sides like slaw and macaroni cheese came in a bowl, as did the fries but I liked how some of the food was just piled on so you can dig in. My choice was a chilli cheeseburger, and it was beautiful. Juicy, succulent beef with a crisp pickle and american cheese and best of all, the lip-stinging chilli. All of this tucked up in the softest bun ever. The juice gets everywhere so be thankful for the rolls of kitchen roll that grace every table.
For me, the Buffalo wings were as authentic as I've ever tasted outside of buffalo and the blue cheese dip, even better! The mac and cheese had a crunchy topping and was creamy and spiced with nutmeg, the slaw was probably about the only thing to cut through the carb load.. unless deep fried pickles count? They were sensational, moreso for me as I've only eaten pickles at all for about two years!
I sincerely hope the MEATliquor is here to stay, I'm thinking on any opportunity to squeeze in another visit.
Honourable mention must go to the Q-man! How on earth he manages to maintain his sanity with hundreds of burger fiends in his face all night, God only knows but the man has my respect.

Highlights:

• The lagers on offer are great.
• They serve cocktails in jam jars - what's not to like?
• Burgers
• Wings
• Deep. Fried. Pickles. + Blue. Cheese. Dip.

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