Are Reigning Burger Champs Q Mex Poised to Win Again in 2018?
In the wake of our 2018 Beijing Burger Festival and the ongoing Burger Cup, our Rock-Hard Buns
series will whet your appetite by taking a look at those vendors who
slung their wares at the veritable meat fest that just past. Remember to
vote for your favorite here!
There's little doubt that Q Mex is on the up and up. Since winning 2017's Burger Cup, they've opened their thriving sister restaurant Q Mex Taqueria dedicated to tequila and tacos, overhauled the menu at their original location, and on the strength of that, opened a second venue at Shuangjing's Space 3 Mall. We couldn't possibly suggest that their Best Burger crown last June has anything to do with their burgeoning success over the past 12 months (ok, we could) but without the right goods and a devoted fanbase, it's unlikely they would have shot to the top of the rankings like they did and are doing once again in this year's competition.
So what makes their burgers so special? Well, to be sure, they're only a small fraction of what's on offer at Q Mex's sprawling menu of Tex Mex-tinged salads, pasta, tacos, burritos, and desserts but it's an area that they've worked hard to cultivate. Take for example the cheese skirt, a hulking mess of beef patty, bacon, fried onions, jalapenos, and its namesake: a griddled toasted cheese skirt that cascades over the bun and coats each mouthful. Then there's the taco burger, Q Mex's special chorizo beef patty, guac, tomato, special burger sauce, and corn chips for extra crunch and to absorb some of the burn.
Will Q Mex reign supreme again this year? Only time – and your vote – will tell. Below we speak to head chef Marcus Medina about how he came to have Beijing's Best Burger.
In your opinion, what are the most important elements in making a great burger?
Thirteen years ago I was doing a chef’s benefit in New York City and I had the opportunity to meet Danny Meyer, the yet-to-be-founder of Shake Shack. Danny was already a long time legend in NYC with his super famous Union Bar and Grill and just opened Gramercy Tavern, both five-star top NYC eateries. It was then that he revealed to me his idea of opening a copy of his boyhood favorite burger drive-in restaurant that served only burgers, fries, and shakes. It was then that he told me that only two things mattered in burgers ... the beef; create your own blend of top quality lean meat to fat ratios, and the bun, and when we decided to go with a burger at Q Mex, I took this advice to heart. The burger was something we worked on really hard but I believe we have arrived at a place that we can be very proud of the product we serve.
Tell us about your signature burger. Name three reasons why it’s unique and potentially the best burger in Beijing.
Again, we work really hard on the basic elements of the best quality beef and once we found the sweet spot on fat to lean ratio and perfected our buns, the rest was easy. So you're asking me like which of my babies I like more ... Can’t do it. What I can tell you is the Double Burger is the most ordered. But I love them all equally! Our Classic is comprised of a beef patty, lettuce, tomato, onion and special sauce; the Double Burger is two beef patties, two slices of cheese, mayo and special sauce, and finally, the Chorizo Burger is a spicy patty, jalapeno peppers, and special sauce.
What burgers and sides did you bring to our 2018 Beijing Burger Festival?
Basically, we had the same fair as we serve in the restaurant which was the Classic Burger and the Double Burger. We also offered the Chorizo Burger.
What drink from your menu goes best with the burger?
Beer – any beer – and a shot of tequila!
Aside from your own restaurant's burger, what is the best burger you've ever had?
Shake Shack in NYC.
Have you tried Q Mex's burgers or do you have another Beijing favorite you'd like to vote for? Read up on who is in the running to be crowned Beijing's best burger here and then place your vote by scanning/extracting the QR code above!
Images courtesy of Q Mex
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