In the spirit of the Women’s World Cup 2023, Fat Hippo’s latest summer special takes its inspiration from the sunny rays of down under. This beautiful game calls for even more beautiful burgers, and Fat Hippo’s iconic BurgerLabs are back with a stacked-up bangin’ brioche and a smooth shake.
Fat Hippo is a popular independent burger chain, specialising in the best burgers and dirty fries, and recognised for their quality ingredients. Their menu certainly has some stand-out selections – from their PB+JJ burger to their ‘frickles’, it’s definitely not your average burger restaurant.
Their summer special features the Sweet Carolin-a – a single beef patty, flat top Cajun chicken, chipotle ketchup, Swiss cheese, Sweet Carolina onions, candied jalapenos and smashed avocado ‘slaw. This is served with a free side of your choice, and vegan and gluten free alternatives are also available.
This is accompanied by the Bronz-Coff Shake – with Dappa nut blend soft serve, Biscoff sauce, and topped with whipped cream and Biscoff crumb. Again, Fat Hippo also offer a vegan version of this upon request.
Not only are they standing with the Lionesses in the launch of their summer special, but Fat Hippo are also supporting girls’ grass-roots football teams, with 50p from each burger sale going directly to a local club to support the next generation of girls’ football.
My Experience
Fat Hippo was very easy to find, just a 5 minute walk from New Street Station. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by a very friendly waitress and shown to a lovely well-lit table, with a view of Birmingham’s Bennetts Hill. Throughout my visit, I experienced very quick service from the staff, who were all hospitable and attentive. The restaurant itself had a great atmosphere, industrial-style decor and soft lighting. On a Sunday afternoon, the place felt lively, family-friendly and welcoming, with music playing at a comfortable volume.
There seem to be restaurants popping up all over Birmingham offering these monster-size burgers, and there’s obviously a concern that it may just be style over substance. The Sweet Carolin-a, however, was truly packed to the brim with filling, and a combination of flavours that, in my opinion, worked really well together.
The smashed avocado ‘slaw offered something fresh and crunchy, while the slight spicy kick from the chicken and the candied jalapeno added a little heat, without being too much (from someone who can just about handle a medium at Nandos!). The chipotle ketchup was also a real winner for me, smoky and sweet without overpowering the rest of the burger. You could tell that a lot of thought had gone into crafting a burger where all the flavours played off each other, resulting in a truly delicious experience.
You really are spoilt for choice when it comes to sides – from waffle fries and onion rings to vegan dirty fries and purple slaw. I chose the tater tots, which were cooked to perfection – just crispy enough on the outside, and soft in the middle. Like mini hash browns, they were a great accompaniment to my burger.
I also tried the Bronz-Coff shake, which was honestly delicious, and exactly how a milkshake should be. It was nutty, sweet and creamy, and perfect for fans of Biscoff – its absolutely loaded with the stuff! Despite being completely full after my meal, this shake was so good that I couldn’t help but finish the whole thing!
I had a great experience sampling Fat Hippo’s Summer Special, and I will definitely be returning to try out some of the other weird and wonderful selections on their extensive menu! I would definitely recommend this place, and with their great selection of gluten free and vegan options, there really is something for everyone on the menu. The genuine friendliness and warmth of the staff will only add to your experience, and their hospitability makes this a great place to visit with kids.
To check out their menu for yourself, or to make a booking, head to the Fat Hippo website. Their summer special is available until 20th August, so scrub the boots down and head to your home Fat Hippo ground, as we all support the Lionesses to bring it home one more time!
