Normally a burger looks easy enough to eat because many think all you have to do is pick it up, take a bite and just like that, done!
However, for anyone who has ever tackled a towering burger knows it can quickly turn into a battle between you, the bun and gravity.
With Nairobi Burger Week bringing together more than 400 restaurants from August 27 to September 6, there is no shortage of burgers to try across the city.
“Burger Week brings that spirit of discovery into one shared experience, giving people a reason to explore restaurants they may not have visited before while celebrating the diversity of Nairobi’s food scene,” the General Manager at EatOut Kenya, Wendy Lorenze, said.
Before you take on your next one, it helps to know how to handle it.
Forget the knife and fork.
A burger is a hands on meal.
Hold it with both hands, keeping your fingers around the bun.
This gives you better control and helps stop the fillings from escaping from the sides.
The trick is not to squeeze too hard since if you crush it, you could send the sauce, cheese and toppings flying.
Some burgers however, are simply too tall.
If you are staring at one wondering how your mouth is supposed to get around it, give it a gentle squeeze.
Pressing the burger down slightly makes it easier to handle and gives you a better chance of keeping the layers together.
Then comes the first bite.
Try to bite through several layers at once.
A good burger is about the combination of the bun, filling, sauce and toppings, so avoid eating around the edges and leaving the best parts behind.
Gravity can quickly become your biggest enemy while tackling a burger.
Tilt it too much and the fillings will start sliding towards the side.
Keep both hands steady and work your way through it gradually.
There is also a trick that sounds odd but can make a difference: turn the burger upside down.
The top bun is often thicker than the bottom one, which can make the burger more stable when flipped.
It might feel wrong the first time, but if it keeps your meal from falling apart, it is worth a try because not every burger needs the same strategy.
A simple burger can usually be picked up and eaten without much planning.
A loaded burger with several toppings and plenty of sauce requires a little more caution but whatever you do, keep the napkins close.
Sauce on your fingers is almost inevitable, especially when dealing with a generously dressed burger.
There is no shame in pausing between bites to clean up and do not worry too much about looking elegant.
Burgers are not exactly designed for a perfectly clean dining experience.
The more loaded the burger, the greater the chances of something ending up on your hands as that is part of the fun.
As Nairobians explore the hundreds of restaurants taking part in Nairobi Burger Week, there will be plenty of burgers to sample, from familiar favourites to different takes on the classic.
So pick yours up with both hands, keep it steady, take a proper bite and enjoy it.
If you finish without getting a little sauce on your fingers, consider yourself lucky.
