Burger Wars Round Two: Plan B vs. Grinders

Put on your loosest pants, the Beijinger Burger Cup is back! In the lead up to the Burger Cook-Off Launch Party on August 23 and the start of voting on August 25, we are kicking off with Burger Wars: a series of face-offs pitting Beijing's beef patties against each other. These will not necessarily reflect the ultimate match-ups in our Burger Cup bracket, but give burger fans and burger chefs an idea as to how the product may fare in the final competition.

Come back often for more Burger Wars, information about the upcoming Burger Festival and news on how to vote.

Round two has been dubbed the "Shuangjing Showdown," at least it has by myself and Robynne. Grinders, a firm favorite in Shuangjing's boozy hot bed along Tianzhi Jiaozi faces off against a familiar foe in the form of Plan B, last year's runner-up in our annual burger-off. A tall ask for Grinders, perhaps, to face off against a Shuangjing burger institution like Plan B in a Burger War, but we wouldn't have thrown them in the ring together if we didn't think it had a chance. Heading into the showdown, we gave them a puncher's chance of toppling the Pingod heavy hitter.

Contestant one: Plan B
2013 ranking: 2

Plan B's house cheeseburger consists of a thick beef patty and a serving of chunky crinkle cut chips. The patty is grilled out front on the bar's gas barbecue and comes served on a sesame seed bun with a selection of fixings including tomato, pickle and thick cut fried onions.

Price: RMB 50

Contestant two: Grinders
2013 ranking: 35

Grinders' cheeseburger takes the form of a hugely thick beef patty with melted cheese and two well-cooked slices of bacon on a lightly toasted white sesame seed bun. It comes with a portion of crinkle cut chips and a helping of salad.

Price: RMB 55

Verdict
In the end, the know how of the Plan B kitchen just put them ahead. It's the small things that count in these tight fights and the thick cut fried onions, as well as a nicely toasted bun and the thick chips fried to the cusp of perfection just gave the Plan B burger the nod. It's a consistently good burger, which rarely encounters a disappointed diner. Thankfully, a short-lived experiment with a mealy wholewheat bun seems to have fallen by the wayside.

We always knew it was going to be a big ask for Grinders to come out on top in this battle. In truth, we expected no contest, but the Grinders cheeseburger was far, far better than we'd anticipated. On this showing, it's sure to improve dramatically on its final placing from last year. The patty was thick and the meal itself is good value for money at just RMB 55 (with huge discounts available for ordering online). One minor grumble would be that the patty takes on an almost paste-like texture, but that's nitpicking – it was a solid burger. If they can maintain this consistency, they'll definitely put up a good showing in this year's contest.

Check back on Monday for the next installment of Burger Wars.

RELATED - Burger Wars Round One: The Local vs. Flamme
RELATED - Home Plate Bar-B-Que Wins the Beijinger 2013 Burger Cup in Close Race

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Email: paulryding@thebeijinger.com
Twitter: @pjrydo
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Photos: the Beijinger

Comments

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i live around that area .so what i say really counts.. and tell you this ... several months ago the best burger there was mainstreet... now they always burn the bread and the patty.. dont know why....its like eating carbon... now back to grinders and plan b..... the best burger in town.... PLAN B!!!! the burger just taste like how my granny use to make them...... just plain BEEF, salt and pepper for patty....thats how granny use to make them...... so everytime i take burger there.... i get homesick....

What fuss about a bloddy Burger.I never had a real decent Burger anywhere in Beijing. Best Burgers you get back in the US.

Homeplate was the winner last year??? Well,I had the 'worst burger`' ever in China there the other week.Hard, dry, gristly,small pattie, almost inedible, low quality bun. Sad to see Homeplate deterioating like that.

I believe that the right Meat Quality is not available in China for a good Burger, unless imported..

Totally overhyped this Burger Cup nonense.

As to Hygiene in Restaurants in Beijing read below.

Pretty sure there is many places like that with the low level of education of many Restaurant staff.

A Korean barbecue restaurant in Beijing was exposed by reporters for serving leftover food and fish abandoned on the ground near trash bins to customers.

The Korean barbecue chain restaurant, called the Han Li Xuan Barbecued Meat Market ( Han Li Xuan Kao Rou Chao Shi), is located in Beijing’s Changping District and provides all-you-can-eat buffet service.

After receiving tips from a former staff member named Chen Wen, undercover reporters from Beijing News posed as employees to get an inside scoop on the restaurant.

Wow, while I really appreciate the endorsement, I hope grinders has not gone so far poor. In fact I ate there the other day and I have to say everything I had was very good. My business partner Ian said the ribs were amazing. My burger was seriously good. Thanks very much for endorsing Plan B and please introduce yourself when you come in, but give Grinders another shot as they have been working hard to up their game and it was very decent when we went last week. Cheers!

The Dude Abides.

Wow.

Who the hell would wanna go to a shit hole like Grinders for anything? The place was good when it first opened but after a year and a half or so went downhill as the prices went up and the quality of the food and drink evaporated. Plan B is fun, clean, delicious, and good value for my hard earned RMB. Overasll it just feels more welcoming. Speaking of cleanliness, I remember the last time (and it will forever be THE LAST TIME) I was in Grinders and some chick had brought in a jackfruit and was eating it at the bar, stinkin' up the joint!! I guess if the prices remain exorbitant, you're allowed to bring your own grub?

PS

There are plenty of hand washing sinks at Plan B, maybe check your facts before pissin' and moanin'.

Let me extend an invitation for you to visit Plan B and let me see if I can make your visit more enjoyable and allay your concerns. We are proud to be considered by many as having the best burger in Beijing and we are proud of our kitchen.

The Dude Abides.

Right.No proper Refrigeration, no Handwashing sink.Condiments displayed at high temperature!!!! Enjoy the Burger.

Thank you mtnerror! I owe you a coke.

The Dude Abides.

@Vincee: I've never had an issue with hygiene at Plan B. In fact, kudos should be offered to anyone who cooks their burgers in plain sight for all to see.

Ah Vincee, I see you signed up as a Beijinger user this very day to write that fine review. Me thinks the lady doth protest too much.

The Dude Abides.

May be the Burger is good, but how about Hygiene at Plan B?? I think it's a filthy dump. Baaaaaah!!!