Tiong Bahru Burger - A Fresh Start

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Tiong Bahru Burger - A Fresh Start

I've never been a huge fan of burgers – that fast food that can easily lead to heart disease. Typically, burgers come with oily fries on the side, so I tend to steer clear. But at Skirt & Dirt in Tiong Bahru, everything felt much more palatable without being overwhelming.

Despite my usual preference for classic fast food joints, I decided to give the burgers here a shot for the first time. Here’s what I experienced at Skirt & Dirt.

Exciting Finds at Skirt & Dirt

I spotted the SND Hamburger (S$7.80) on the menu but was immediately drawn to the Chef's recommendation – the Cheese Skirt Burger (S$9.80). Its unique “cheese skirt” was simply irresistible... quite literally, it resembles a skirt! Instead of a boring square slice of cheese, the chef has grilled the cheese into a perfect circular shape.

I couldn't wait any longer, so I tore off a piece of the cheese and took a bite. The delicious flavor of the cheese is a crowd-pleaser, and grilling it added a tantalizing smoky aroma. The grilled cheese was placed under a generous beef patty. At first sight, I thought, “Wow, this patty is huge!” But when I lifted the top bun, I was a bit disappointed to find that the patty was just over half the size of the bun.

However, the patty was thick and seasoned just right. Although I didn’t detect any onions in the meat, I could sense a hint of onion flavor. The patty melted in my mouth, tender like braised beef. It was delightful!

A Fantastic Combo with Dirt Fries

I’m a big fan of grilled food. The dark brown grill marks on the meat confirmed that this was quality beef. The excitement from the cheese was keeping my taste buds on high alert. Moreover, the cheese flavor didn’t get overshadowed by the meat as it does in many other places. Still, I prefer burgers that focus more on the meat itself.

While enjoying my meal, I decided to add Dirt Fries for S$3.20. Who doesn’t love fries piled high? Seasoned with Cajun spices and topped with nacho cheese, I couldn’t stop munching on them throughout the meal. The toppings like bacon, pickles, and jalapeños set the Dirt Fries apart from regular fries.

Second Visit - Trying the Truffle Mushroom Burger

On my second visit, I craved the flavor of truffles and was thrilled to see the Truffle Mushroom & Rockets Beef Burger (S$9.80) on the menu. This dish featured more ingredients; in addition to the thick, juicy beef patty, there were sautéed mushrooms, truffle mayonnaise, American cheese, and arugula.

It was fantastic to see that the beef patty in this burger was much larger, fitting perfectly with the bun. Despite the seemingly abundant ingredients, I loved the combination of mushrooms, truffles, and beef. There was also balsamic sauce, but I couldn't really taste it.

Rich Ingredients

I had to pay an extra S$2.20 to upgrade to cheese fries with nacho and mayonnaise sauce. Given the prices, I found the sides here to be quite worthwhile. There are plenty of side options for diners to choose from when ordering Western dishes. Unfortunately, fries were the only option for the burgers.

So, I ordered a plate of Onion Rings (S$4). They arrived quickly and were perfectly crispy. Finally, I found a use for the packets of chili sauce that came with my earlier burger.

Final Thoughts

My first hawker burger experience was anything but disappointing! I appreciated the creative twist that the team here brought to this calorie-laden dish. However, as a meat lover, I would be willing to spend a bit more for burgers with higher quality meat.

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