The Burger Joint and Craft Beer Bar No One Talks About
There’s no shortage of burgers and beers in Beijing – these streets runneth over with mouthwatering grease and hoppy suds. However, the sheer number of options inevitably means that some are going to fly under the radar, catering to a small but dedicated crowd while remaining largely unknown to the wider public.
Such seems to be the case with WasPark and Beer Guys – a burger joint and craft beer bar respectively – located a stone’s throw from one another near Houhai Lake. Perhaps it’s because they eschew slick marketing and complex menus, or maybe it’s because they’re ostensibly outside the hutongs proper (a friend once said that, from Andingmen, Beer Guys was too far to walk, and too close to call a Didi).
Or, maybe, I’m entirely misinformed and these spots are wildly more popular than I realize – you can sound off in the comments. Whatever the case, they’re worth a second look.
WasPark is about as humble as it gets
We begin with WasPark, which sits deep inside Ya'er Hutong. It's an easy-to-miss, humble spot in every sense of the word, with four tables, a relatively small menu, and one employee, Zhang Chao.
Bob's Big Boy, arguably one of the most iconic burgers in the US
After traveling around the US in 2009, Zhang wanted to bring the "classic-flavor cheeseburger" to the capital, and by 2011 he had opened his first storefront in Soho Shangdu.
Sometime later he moved to Fangjia Hutong, only to be sidelined by the Great Brickening. WasPark was then resurrected at Deal Beer in nearby Jiaodaokou Beiertiao, but that too ended, and in 2019 he once again packed up the grill and relocated to his current digs.
It's what's on the inside that counts
All the while, Zhang's mission has remained the same – no-frills burgers that strike to the heart of tradition. WasPark's burger menu consists of a cheeseburger, double cheeseburger, and cheeseburger with egg (RMB 48-78).
There are classic sides such as chili cheese fries, regular fries, and popcorn chicken (RMB 20-38) plus some add-ons like jalapeño and grilled onion, not to mention a plant-based patty for the vegetarian crowd. All in all, though, this menu is a far cry from the fancy fusion burgers you'll find at other spots in the city.
Walk that burger off, straight into Beer Guys
Meanwhile, venture a few blocks north along Jiugulou and you'll happen upon Beer Guys, another establishment that seems to elude the recognition it deserves. Opened in 2016 by three friends – aka the beer guys – this craft beer bar has 16 rotating taps alongside a well-stocked fridge and a selection of spirits.
Stouts, gose, lagers, and IPAs from breweries both domestic and international can be slung back with a steady soundtrack of metal, punk and rock. Again, seating is fairly tight and if you don't get there early enough in the evening it can be difficult to find a spot. Luckily, however, they do have a number of seats and tables outside, which should be reappearing soon as the weather continues to warm up.
There is truly something for everyone... except for a seat sometimes
Ya know, there's a tendency for us writers to get all sorts of verbose with our articles, and to be sure, many restaurants and bars certainly call for that. But when it comes to WasPark and Beer Guys, there isn't a whole lot of dressing up that needs to be done.
In fact, it might be something of a disservice to lavish ornate language on them. Because that's not what these places are. They are simply damn good at what they do and don't pretend to be anything but.
WasPark
21 Ya'er Hutong, Xicheng District
西城区什刹海鸦儿胡同21号
Monday-Friday, 5.30-10pm; Saturday & Sunday, noon-10pm
Beer Guys
19 Jiugulou Street, Xicheng District
西城区旧鼓楼大街91号
Daily, 6pm-2am
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Images: Drew Pittock, Dianping
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