So these vouchers can be used on weekdays only, any time before 5pm, and are good for one small burger off the Lunch Menu, and one small side. I leave for the Edinburgh Fringe next Wednesday the 2nd of August, which means after today, I've got Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday to hit all nine GBK locations in London and get myself a free lunch. Seeing as I'm sitting I one right now (and I won't count yesterday because I hadn't thought of The Plan yet), that means I need to get to two GBKs each of tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday, and then just one each next Monday and Tuesday. I CAN TOTALLY DO THIS!!
I'll review them each visit in the following categories: Decor/Vibe, Toilets, Staff, Food. Oh god I think I've been watching too many of those 'The Pengest Munch' videos that kid in the suit does in all the London chicken shops. That'll get me through until I leave for the Fringe, and then the real challenge starts. I'll have enough vouchers to easily through the month with a meal a day in Edinburgh, but the challenge is this: Edinburgh has only one GBK. So if I'm planning to go in every day and get a free meal at lunch time, I'm guessing after a while the staff will get a little suspicious. I think I'm getting ahead of myself here, but you get the point of what I'm trying to initiate, I'm sure.
This is going to be a lot of fun, and already strikes me as incredibly unhealthy and stupid. Let's get started I guess.
GBK Haverstock Hill
Decor/Vibe: Upbeat jazzy kinda soul music. I don't recognize it, but it's nice. I wonder if all of the stores play music off the same playlist or if the staff get a bit of freedom? There's a shelf on the wall with giant scrabble pieces spelling out “A BURGER WITHOUT CHEESE IS LIKE A HUG WITHOUT SQUEEZE”, which I can definitely get into. Contradictorily though the chicken burger on the menu I'm allowed to choose from comes without cheese, which is a big no-no for me, but we're getting off track. There's a big set of doors that open out onto the street, and it's a sunny day today so the vibe is gorgeous. That may be influencing my decision, but nevertheless. Decor/Vibe: 4.5
Toilets: I don't know why I've included this in here to be honest, but it's in here now and I'm not taking it out. I went when I got here before my food came and it was nice, the tiles up the wall are a pleasing mix of dark green and creamy white. Hold up let me just... Yep, double checked. Toilets are nice. Toilets: 4
Staff: When I walked in the girl said hi to me, which is more than can be said for the Old Spike Roastery on Peckham Rye where I stood for a full 30 seconds the other day until I interrupted the staff's conversation to ask if they actually sold coffee. Although if I'm honest, their indifference made me want them to like me, and I ended up trying to start a chat while drinking my long black. Anyway, off topic – when I put too much salt on my chips and started coughing, the girl came out from behind the counter and asked if I was okay, which was lovely. I heard giggling and laughter from out of my view soon after, which I take to indicate the presence of healthy workplace flirting. I like these people a lot. Staff: 4.5
Food: I got a small cheeseburger with American cheese and the thick cut chips as my side. They were all good – I like the buns they have here, very firm and hold the burger together well. You can taste the burnt bread a little – just a little – where they've toasted it on the grill. I like that too, it tastes real, like actual bread, not some artificial shit, which I'm sure it still could be, but what the fuck do I know. They have this stuff called Hei Hei Salt here too, which is the closest thing I've had in the UK to the Chicken Salt that is ubiquitous back in Australia. Great touch. Nothing special, let's not go mad, but filling and nice. Food: 3.5
GBK Haverstock Hill: It's nice here, I've been in for a couple hours now sitting on my laptop, haven't been bothered, although to be fair it's not been busy at all, but they do get bonus points for having a plug socket – and one with USB ports AND power points to plug into [clapping hands emoji]. I can't really think of a complaint, it's on a beautiful, wide high street, everything feels right in the world. I'm reserving a half because the food is just a pass, but for everything else, this is a genuinely lovely place.
See you clowns tomorrow, I wonder how long this is going to last?
Click here to read the next part - Day 2: Clink St & St Pauls
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