A glance at the user comments for Menza in the Caboodle directory shows it to be one of those places that has as many detractors as it does fans, not to mention a definite downward trend. When it first opened, the "canteen" quickly gained a reputation for its consistent, inventive fare - a bit of genuine quality amidst the remodeled mediocrity of Liszt Ferenc tér. So, when I heard people singing the praises of the Menza Burger, it seemed logical to throw in my own two cents worth as part of the ongoing Budapest Burgerwar™.

The Menza Burger (Ft 1590, €6.80) comprises a sizable ground beef patty with standard trimmings of catsup, mustard, tomato slices, red onion and comes on a sesame seed bun, with a portion of fries and coleslaw on the side. Unfortunately, the meat itself was the only praiseworthy part of the meal: it was flavorful, tender, and well-proportioned. I'll even overlook the fact that the burger was delivered medium to well done, without a trace of pink - when I clearly specified medium rare. Beyond that, the Menza burger came up woefully short. The reason the second most crucial component of a burger, the bun, is missing from the picture above is that, although it looked nice (that is to say, edible) on the other burgers our table ordered, on the one that counted - mine - it was toasted to a crisp and fell apart before I was half finished. Burnt toast in both flavor and consistency. The stingy portion of accompanying fries was good, but the coleslaw had a strange irradiated glow to it, and its taste was indescribable, and not in a so-good-I-just-can’t-find-right-superlative way.

The wait-service was fine, both lackadaisical and friendly, alternately forgetful and attentive, and the bill was reasonable for the amount of food. I might put the Menza Burger itself down to an off day in the kitchen, as another burger delivered to our table was cooked as ordered, with the bun lightly toasted. But if the Menza Burger deserves reappraisal, it will have to be done by somebody else - I know where I stand, and it’s far away from the campfire-gone-wild that spawned the Menza Burger.

How They Stack Up:

Meat: (7/10)
Bun: (5/10)
Trimmings: (6/10)
Service/Setting: (6/10)
Affordability: (6/10)
==============
Total Score: 6.0/10