Restaurant Launch/Review | Burger King comes to India … #ChefVickyRatnani #RockyandMayur #BurgerKing
“I never needed much, and I never thought I’d get more than what I had. A trip to Burger King was the biggest thing in the world to me. Heaven.”
Dave Grohl
Driving down to the Burger King launch yesterday and I noted how funny it is that a foodie focuses on food signs on the way. A sign whizzed by ‘Chicken biryani masale wali’. It had me thinking about the key word there … masale wali or spicy. It’s a word that we in India associate with tasty food. It’s universal acceptance across the length and breadth of this land … spicy is good! Add juicy and crisp to it, and the party is on!!
Little did I know the thread of thought would continue. I was headed to Burger King as I was thrilled it was opening in India, a chain I have long waited for to show up. It’s possibly the one I enjoy most and have a nostalgic connect with. Back in my days with British Airways, the blistering cold winter days meant heading for Burger King to sink our teeth into a juicy crisp burgers. Flame grilled called my name. On a shoe string budget, and an outlet on every high street, Burger Kings flame grilled burgers were the ultimate nirvana.
And that connect completed my chain of thought once the launch took off. To enter the yet to be opened to public restaurant on time to find the sweet hosts already there and waiting warmed the cockles of my heart. I was swept with nostalgia seeing the ever sweet Rocky Singh, my old buddy from my days in British Airways. A big bear hug later meant all was well in the world, followed by hugs from the warm {and rather huge} Mayur, and then Chef Vicky Ratnani and I couldn’t have asked for more. I was in comfort ozone, familiar trappings, the old nostalgic burger king crown….India launch Saket, New Delhi
You need to talk to the large-hearted and down to earth Rocky {of Rocky & Mayur fame} to understand his passion for food, and importantly here the conviction with Burger King. One to call a spade a spade, this rather no nonsense very clear headed stalwart held a mesmerised audience hand in hand with the equally affable Mayur. Of course I wanted to know why fast food, why the burger chain association, why an international brand …. what brought them together.
And there is much. He spoke in depth about the association, the passion, their journey together, the tasting sessions, the trappings, menu development, the team behind it, the research specialist Dr who was quiet and charming. I was convinced. I might not be the daily burger chomper, but I am happy to reach out for the once in a while burger. Burger King meets me there. The taste, the selection and the old world charm with a special menu developed for India!
The menu is has been developed in India and is based on 3 parameters that popped up in every research held locally – JUICY, SPICY, CRISPY! A special addition, the Chicken Tandoor Grill, a tandoori chicken burger developed by the very sweet Chef Vicky Ratnani that he demonstrated at the launch too. You will be spoilt for choice. I’d recommend the Chicken Tandoor Grill which is already promising to be a runaway success, the Whopper of course, and the Chicken Royale. Oh and don’t miss the onion rings … they were delicious good!
The vegetarian line is impressive. I absolutely loved there paneer cheese melt burger and the red bean burger too… quite a leap of taste & creativity from a rather insipid aloo tikki burger that we see elsewhere. Now your chance to go to Burger King India! 
Oh did I mention that we made burgers behind the scenes too? Yes we did, and the cleanliness and the routine followed is impeccable as it is impressive. Not an easy job to do, it makes you sit and look at the team behind the counters with greater respect and admiration!
Deeba @ PAB
About me: I am a freelance food writer, recipe developer and photographer. Food is my passion - baking, cooking, developing recipes, making recipes healthier, using fresh seasonal produce and local products, keeping a check on my carbon footprint and being a responsible foodie! I enjoy food styling, food photography, recipe development and product reviews. I express this through my food photographs which I style and the recipes I blog. My strength lies in 'Doing Food From Scratch'; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. Baking in India, often my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients, and this has now become a platform to get creative on. I enjoy cooking immensely as well.
2 Comments
Dipti Bandekar
Hi Deeba,
Yes around that time only there was a launch of Burger King in Mumbai at Oberoi Mall and coincidentally I was there. There was a very big queue for Burger King and all other stalls did not do any business that day. But I was very sad to see the people of all the ages, specially children digging into burgers and fries with coke or pepsi, a deadly combination which has made US obese. We have that control and caution of eating it once in one month or so, it being very tasty. But, can we educate our children to do the same way? Its time that these companies find some more healthier alternative not compromising taste. I thought I can share this with you since you also always give healthy twist to everything where taste is not compromised.
Warm regards,
Dipti
Deeba @ PAB
Hi Dipti,
Thank you for writing in.I can see where you are coming from, yet this post is my personal opinion and a once in a chance trip I honestly enjoy. I saw the same if not longer queues when Bikarnerwala first opened in Gurgaon…serpentine queues, and I think it’s usually a case of first time curiosity and the hype created. It is up to us as parents to educate our kids…after all can we stop the sale of this and a LOT more on shop shelves, imported and otherwise? It is a never ending debate whether a maida chola bhatura which is native is healthier than the burger. I think it is what we eat, and the education we give our kids to make a healthier choice. It is possible but an everyday job. My larger question is “do we cook as often at home, involve kids in food on the table talk, offer them healthier options, think out of the box etc?” It is easy to blame companies, but I often feel we fall short ourselves. For years I baked with maida, until I woke up to healthier options. It is up to us to make the difference, take control of the choices we make.