Fat Hippo

With Nusou’s recent success at the British Street Food awards, where they were named best newcomer, street food in Scotland has received another fresh burst of impetus.

The British Street Food “Eats from the Street” roadshow rolled into town…well, Fort Kinnaird, anyway, last weekend. Having kicked off its little tour of Scotland and north England, in Glasgow the previous week.

This week’s programme featured the champs from Nusou, Big Blu, Scoff, Zoete Koek, Crema Caravan and Fat Hippo. I’d eaten at the other five, so it was to Fat Hippo that I beat a path.

From Jesmond in Newcastle, the hippo chaps do a fine line in burgers. I chose their 4oz beef burger topped with cheese, chorizo and their special burger sauce (£6). It came with a portion of cajun fries.

In the smart set-up for the event, there were a range of different seating options, including aboard a Routemaster London bus. I sat at the hugh stool seating just next to the bus.

The burger proved a satisfying eat. A substantial part of the relish ended up in my beard (better there than down my shirt, I suppose) as is often the way with my messy approach to eating.

The toppings were the star, with the blend of cheese, chorizo and burger sauce packing considerable sweet creaminess. They did slightly overshadow the burger itself, although it was a nicely cooked and prepared item in its own right.

So overall, the Fat Hippo is doing good work. Each element of their offering, from the bun to the burger to the toppings, was very good. There’s a little refinement to be done to give things better balance but that’s the kind of fine tuning that comes with time. I’d recommend a visit, next time they’re in your neighbourhood.

Eats from the Street runs until 5pm, today, then returns to Fort Kinnaird on 8 November.