MEATliquor, the badass UK burger chain famous for its food truck-to-empire story, strict ‘no reservations’ policy and messy burgers served alongside craft beer and cocktails, brings its winning format to town. The burger bar, with outposts in London, Brighton and Leeds, plants its first flag overseas by way of Oxwell & Co’s owners, Ben Jones and Jacques Dejardin.
Expect to get your stomach stretched with stacks like the dripping-with-mustard Dead Hippie ($22) and green chilli cheeseburgers ($19.50). Or with sides such as battered pickles ($9), chilli cheese fries ($12) and MEATliquor’s made-for-SIN fried egg-topped sambal fries ($10) – buyer beware: the 'sambal' they slather on chips here are more reminiscent of sweet bottled chilli sauce than your grandma’s mortar-and-pestle paste. These sloppy fries, while a yummy mess, need a rebranding.
MEATliquor is also one of those rare restaurants where the drinks menu is thicker than its spread of burgers, bits and bobs. Signatures like the bottled New Cross Negroni ($22) and House Grog Slushy ($24) are carry-overs from its UK-side restaurants, while cocktails like the mezcal-laden Charrito Negro ($22), and gin, Kickapoo and orange sorbet Joy Juice Floater ($22) are made with local audiences in mind.
The brand’s founders, Scott Collins and Yianni Papoutsis, have made multiple trips here in the making of their dark, gritty restaurant to set things up just so. The visual brief to their decorators here: Tom Wait’s tune, ‘Singapore', which is manifested in scratched messages on the table, graphicky ceiling boards and the 'SIN' emphasised on a 'Singapore' marquee over the bar and open kitchen. At least you know what to prepare for.