Butch Annie’s is a new, independent burger restaurant in central CambridgeNigel Howell

Located smack in the centre of Cambridge only a few yards from the market square, even at first glance, this basement burger joint has a lot going for it. The overall appearance and décor doesn’t try too hard and so manages to exude a certain easy, urban underground chic; it’s just a relaxed, not overthought, comfortable place to enjoy a burger and few beers. The staff are friendly too!

Butch Annie’s is a new, independent burger restaurant that is quickly earning a reputation for the quality and provenance of its ingredients, sourced from small scale independent suppliers. The menu is simple, uncomplicated and not over-priced at around £7.00-£9.00 for a burger and around  £3.00 for the sides. There is also an impressive range of what are clearly carefully selected craft beers and lagers priced at around £4.00.     

I tried a couple of the burgers: I went for the ’Classic Butch’  hamburger – which was quite simply, excellent – I’ve eaten many so-called ‘gourmet’ burgers at different restaurants over the years, and this was the best I’ve had anywhere by an absolute country mile, doubtless due in large part to the superb 28-day aged Hereford beef. However, I also opted for the ‘Honolulu Babe’ Iberico pork burger, the meat being sourced from Spain, from a rare breed of free range black pig fed on acorns. If the classic hamburger was excellent, this Iberico burger, with its rich, dark meat, was truly stunning. The brioche buns have just the right mix of softness and cohesive firmness so the whole lot does not disintegrate when you take your first bite. The lettuce, onion and other accompaniments inside the burger were tasty, fresh and put together with care and attention. 

I couldn’t quite manage testing the veggie burger too (!); however, I did manage to eavesdrop on a group of fellow diners whose reaction to the vegetarian option was remarkably positive – they looked great too – so I am sure this option will not disappoint if ordered.

One for the Cambridge culinary 'bucket list'?Nigel Howell

The skin-on chips are extremely tasty but they are the cause of the only two tiny criticisms I can make here in this review. Firstly I opted for the rosemary seasoned chips, which were great for me as I really love the taste and striking aroma of this woody herb. In retrospect though, some people I think would have found them to be rather over-seasoned. Also, for me the chips were just a tad over-cooked – I do like a good balance between the crispy bite of the outside and the soft centre of the chip – and these were just a little short on the proportion of soft potato in the middle. I also tried the ‘Onion Popcorn’ which were extremely moreish – these come served with the fantastic ‘Butch Annie’s Spiced Yoghurt Dip.'      

For dessert, there is a range of ice creams and sorbets on offer at around £3.00 – the salted caramel comes highly recommend – all of which are exclusive to the restaurant and produced by an artisanal ice cream maker in Norfolk, who I’m assured uses only locally sourced ingredients, and are all additive free.

This restaurant has only been open for a few weeks, but if they continue to maintain these high standards, then having a burger at Butch Annie’s will surely become as much an integral part of any Cambridge students’ culinary 'bucket list' as, say, having a Chelsea Bun at Fiztbillies – the burgers here really are that good.