BJ Burger Wars: Home Plate Vs Hollywood

When we first launched Burger Wars, the yet-to-open Home Plate didn’t feature in our head-to-head roster. But with down-home sandwiches at just RMB 30 a pop, this place deserves a title-shot. Scouring the lower leagues for a bruiser willing to take a few hits, we came up with Hollywood, the Korean-run, Beijing-born fast food chain. OK, admittedly this is soul food versus fast food, but there’s a Hollywood just down the road from Home Plate, burgers are similarly affordable, and they both begin with ‘H’. Close enough!

In the red corner: Cheeseburger, Home Plate. RMB 30.

The brief. Early points scored! Fifteen burgers into the contest and this is the first that comes in a basket. Served with a couple of juicy gherkin slices surfing a wedge of pink tomato, it's California on a plate. I mean in a basket.

The bite. Like the Beach Boys or ZZ Top, everythin's in tune – these guys understand what makes a burger. Light on sauce, moderate beefiness, balanced ingredients. Slightly sweet, soft bun.

The beef. Cooked on the well side of medium well, but the cow moos through nicely. For this price it’s two hooves up. HP gets their beef ground to order from a local supplier, with a top secret ratio of meat to fat. I reckon more fat wouldn't go amiss, though. Mmm, fat.

The bits. Gherkin slices, tomato, raw red onion, iceberg - shredded, praise the [insert deity of choice]. Light on sauce, lots of cheese, as it has been and always should be.

Harmonious society. Shields on full; hull retains structural integrity throughout assault. Disaster averted. Or something.

Fries? (Cost extra). Long, golden and potato-y. Not the merest hint of a crinkle. Decent portion for 10 kuai.

Next…

In the blue corner: Hamburger Combo (double), Hollywood. RMB 20

The brief. For a fast-food burger, surprisingly thick and chunky patties. Comes wrapped in paper which is a cool touch. Incidentally, the same paper that Le Fromager de Pekin' uses to wrap their cheese, but that's by the by. Plating has a touch of Wimpy about it (UK fast food chain before food was very fast).

The bite. Wow, it’s spicy. Really spicy. And sloppy. The eastern curse of too much sauce.

The beef. What looks like medium cooked beef is actually well done – the red is thousands of flecks of ground chilli. Exceedingly salty and spicy – it’s like the yangrou chuan’r of burgers. Not awful though, by any means.

The bits. Tomato slices, lettuce, cheese and too much sauce – mayo, ketchup and American mustard.

Harmonious society. Falls apart faster than a clown car on a dirt road. Get extra napkins.

Fries? Cheaply acquired, McDonald’s inspired. Little, yellow and crispy.

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Home Plate is a bit of a gem. Fun pavement seating out front and comfy, simple interior. Shockingly fair prices, good music and friendly owners who take the art of smoking meat very seriously. That said, I’ve had a soft spot for Hollywood ever since eating their surprisingly good grilled beef and cheese sandwich (RMB 20) on Beijing Normal University campus couple of years back. But the burger here is just too weirdly spicy and saucy - it didn't used to be. So whilst Hollywood provided a bit of entertainment, it offered no serious resistance.

Verdict: Home Plate by straight knock-out

Next time: Shuangjing sluggers – Lily’s Vs Grinders (promises are cheap, but you never know) In the mean time, keep your mouth watering by reviewing our previous burger battles ...

Heat 1: The Box Versus Vineyard Cafe

Heat 2: Union Bar & Grille Versus Flamme

Heat 3: First Floor Versus Luga's

Heat 4: Let's Burger Versus Blue Frog

Heat 5: Village Cafe Versus Scarlett

Heat 6: Grandma's Kitchen Versus Paul's Steak & Eggs

Heat 7: Pete's Tex-Mex Versus Big Boss Fish & Chips

* All opinions expressed are those of an Englishman who once went to In-&-Out in LA (he didn’t even know about the secret menu, hah) and now has the gall to write this stuff.