How to find a great burger in Leicester: a 10-point checklist

By DesiSmash by Chef Hass · Nov 2026 · 3 min read

Tamarind and Bombay Street burger topped with crushed papri crisps, with lime and chutney beside it

To find a great burger in Leicester, check ten things: how the patty is cooked, whether it is made to order, the crust, the cheese, the bun, the sauce, the toppings, the value, the allergen information and how easy it is to order. Here is a checklist you can use anywhere.

"Burgers Leicester" is a big search, and there are a lot of options. Instead of telling you where to go, this guide gives you the questions that separate a great burger from an average one. Use it on any menu, ours included.

1. How is the patty cooked?

A patty cooked on a very hot griddle forms a browned crust that carries flavour. A thin, hot-cooked patty (a smash burger) gives a lot of crust. A thick patty gives a soft, juicy centre. Neither is wrong, but you should know which you are getting. See smash burger vs thick burger.

2. Is it made to order?

A burger tastes best straight off the heat. Ask if it is cooked when you order or cooked in advance and held. A kitchen that is proud of its burgers will happily tell you.

3. Is there a real crust?

Look at photos, or at the burger itself. Dark, crisp edges mean the surface got properly hot. A pale, flat, grey patty usually means it was steamed.

The OG Smash cut in half, showing melted cheese, pickles and diced onion between two patties — Look for browned edges, melted cheese and a toasted bun.

4. How is the cheese?

Good cheese is melted into the patty. Cheese that sits on top in a cold slice means it was added too late. More on this in cheese and sauce for smash burgers.

5. What about the bun?

A fresh, soft bun that has been toasted holds the burger together without dominating it. Dry, stale or oversized buns ruin a burger. See why brioche suits a smash burger.

6. Can you taste the sauce?

Sauce should add acidity, creaminess or heat, and balance the richness. If everything tastes the same, the sauce is not doing its job. Sauces made in-house are a good sign, and ours are made on Thursday for the weekend.

7. Are the toppings doing a job?

Pickles, onion and crunch should add contrast. Piling on too many wet toppings makes a burger soggy. Our toppings guide explains how to balance them.

8. Is it good value?

Value is not just price. Look at what is included: patty size and number, a proper bun, sauces, and whether fries and a drink come as a meal deal. Check the full menu before you decide.

9. Is the allergen and food information clear?

Any food business should tell you what is in its food. You should be able to find the 14 major allergens and ask questions. Look for a visible Food Hygiene Rating too, which is the 0 to 5 scheme run by the Food Standards Agency, and you can look up any business on their website.

Garlic Chilli Crisp burger with shredded lettuce and crunchy chilli oil — Check what is on the burger and what allergens it contains before you order.

10. Is it easy to order and get it hot?

A good burger is spoiled by a long wait or a cold delivery. Check opening hours, how ordering works, delivery fees and how long it takes. Pre-ordering a time slot, as we do, means the food is cooked for when you want it. See burger takeaway in Leicester.

How DesiSmash scores

Cooking: smashed to order on a very hot griddle.
Crust: thin patties, crisp edges.
Bun: butter-toasted brioche.
Sauces: made in-house on Thursday.
Choice: eleven burgers, Original or Desi, beef or chicken, plus a vegetarian burger.
Information: allergen details on the site, and we answer questions on WhatsApp.
Ordering: pre-order a slot, collect free or get delivery within 3 miles.

Judge for yourself. We cook every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5 pm in Leicester and Glenfield. Open the menu and order, or read our complete guide to smash burgers in Leicester.