The familiar buzz of a Wetherspoons pub often signals a reliable meal, but the chain's latest festive offerings have left one reviewer seriously unimpressed. With the launch of its new Christmas menu on Thursday, November 13, BirminghamLive decided to put the much-hyped burgers to the test at The Figure of Eight on Broad Street in Birmingham.
The Festive Feast Arrives
After a wait that consumed 23 minutes of a 30-minute lunch break, the two limited-edition burgers arrived at the table. The mission was to compare the returning favourites: The Big Cheese Plant Based Burger and the Big Cheese Fried Buttermilk Chicken Burger, both priced at £11.89 including a portion of chips and a drink.
To the eye, the presentation was promising. The burgers looked remarkably similar, each featuring brie slices, two halloumi fries, a mixture of salad, and an Emmental & Cheddar cheese sauce. The key difference lay at their core: a plant-based patty for one and a fried chicken fillet for the other.
A Bite of Christmas Disappointment
The first taste of the chicken burger revealed a crisp fillet and fresh salad, but the overall experience was lacking. The reviewer noted it felt like something was missing, suggesting it "could have done with a touch of cranberry sauce, or even a dust of seasoning on the chips to just add a punch of Christmas." The strong flavour of the red onion in the salad was also criticised for overshadowing the cheese.
However, the mood dipped further with the plant-based option. Despite the reviewer's past experience with vegetarian products, this particular burger was a "massively disappointing" letdown. Both the smell and the taste of the plant-based patty were found to be unpleasant, ultimately ruining what could have been a good burger.
The Final Verdict
There was one saving grace: the chips. Described as "top notch," they lived up to the classic Wetherspoons standard that fans know and love. But when it comes to the main event, the conclusion was definitive.
When asked if they would opt for the Big Cheese festive burgers again, the reviewer's answer was a resounding and sad "hard no." For those seeking a truly satisfying festive treat from the pub chain this season, it seems the search must continue.
