Some sad news today in the world of Budapest dining: the Burger King outlet that has stood on Podmaniczky tér on the eastern edge of District V has burned to a crisp, apparently from a kitchen fire. Go ahead and laugh or sneer, but we're actually feeling sort of gloomy about this. For one thing, compared to some of the other "junk" food offerings around, BK is pretty good, offering a range of decent... well you know what they have. But it's how they do their thing that is most exceptional.

What's great about places like Burger King and its primary competitor is the incredible consistency with which they serve up their offerings, at least compared to local standards. Order a Whopper or X-tra Long Chili Cheese Menü with a side of Chili Cheese Nuggets (sajtgolyók jalapeño paprikával) on Monday, and, if you like it, the Whopper or X-tra Long Chili Cheese Menü with spicy fried cheese balls you come back for on Tuesday are likely to taste exactly the same. In a country where you can order the same thing twice on the same day and get two totally different dishes, this means something.

Meanwhile, the Burger király's minions really do seem to focus relentlessly on providing their customers with what they want, and at prices that will draw in as many eaters as possible. Compare this to some high-end restaurateurs around town, who seem to treat their patrons like they are the subjects of a science project ("Note that Table A survived the duck with coriander, lime, chocolate, bananas, truffles and mint jelly") and price their offerings so they can turn a profit if only two parties of clueless tourists show up every afternoon. We'll take the sajtgolyók any day, not least because they are friggin' delicious.

Happily, the flame-broiling of the Podmaniczky téri BK doesn't mean you can't dine with the king in Hungary. Click here for a complete list of local outlets, including the one that not only serves a mean burger, but has helped unlock the secret to successful urban renewal. Long live the king!