I ate lunch at Gordon Ramsay Burger and Ramsay’s Kitchen. The prices were similar, but the value wasn’t even close.

• I visited Gordon Ramsay Burger and Ramsay’s Kitchen for lunch, and spent a similar amount at each.
• I was surprised that my meal at Gordon Ramsay Burger came out in five minutes and was not that hot.
• For a similar cost, I got a better burger at Ramsay’s Kitchen, plus a course of lobster bisque.

On a recent trip to Boston, I faced a difficult yet delicious decision.

My hotel was a 15-minute walk from two restaurants tied to world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay — but they were in opposite directions.

One road led to Gordon Ramsay Burger, promising laid-back comfort. The other took me to Ramsay’s Kitchen, a more refined spot serving elevated takes on classic dishes.

I couldn’t decide between the two, so I tried both so I could compare them. After spending a similar amount on lunch at each place, I believe one option blew the other out of the water.

I visited Gordon Ramsay Burger on a Sunday afternoon.

Ramsay, known for his fiery presence on the TV show “Hell’s Kitchen,” has about 90 restaurants worldwide, offering a range of culinary experiences from casual pub-style fare to elevated, Michelin-level dining.

On this trip, I headed to one of the five locations of Gordon Ramsay Burger.

This casual spot in downtown Boston is known for its gourmet burgers, crafted with high-quality ingredients and creative toppings, served in a relaxed atmosphere.

Inside, the restaurant embodied an old-school burger joint.

The inside of Gordon Ramsay Burger was decorated like a classic burger joint, with hints of retro touches that gave it a nostalgic vibe.

For example, there was booth seating with black and white checkerboard accents, bright red decor, and vintage hanging lights.

I noticed a staircase with neon signage leading up to a rooftop and asked to be seated there since the weather was nice.

I’m glad I chose the rooftop seating option, as it was relaxed but felt more elevated.

The rooftop had a laid-back bar vibe, complete with string lights and views overlooking the city.

I actually found this area to be more elevated than the downstairs dining room. It was more modern and less vintage in style, featuring updated decor, a sleek fireplace, and a generally more polished vibe.

I could easily see this being a great spot for hanging out with friends for happy hour. The couch-style seating made it feel perfect for grabbing a drink, sharing a bite, and catching up.

Although I was pleased by the menu’s variety, I still opted for one of its most popular options: the Idiot Burger.

As expected, burgers made up the bulk of the menu, but I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of other lunch items available.

In addition to the signature burgers, there were plenty of small bites to share, like chicken wings, other handheld sandwiches, fresh salads, desserts, and classic milkshakes.

Everything was reasonably priced, with nothing on the menu over $30.

It all looked delicious, and my waiter mentioned that the most popular orders are the Hell’s Kitchen Burger ($21.50) and the Idiot Burger ($22.50).

I went with the latter — a single patty topped with braised short rib, Gruyère and cheddar cheese, roasted mushrooms, and a spicy tomato chutney.

I wasn’t asked how I wanted it cooked, which made me wonder if it was a smashed patty, though the menu didn’t specify either way.

By the time I got settled in to wait for my food, it had already arrived.

Much to my surprise, only five minutes passed between my order being placed and my burger being served to me.

The menu notes that this burger is cooked to order, but with no opportunity to specify how I wanted it cooked and such a quick turnaround, I wasn’t so sure.

Still, the dish’s presentation was impressive. The burger came topped with a glossy, plump sesame seed bun that looked straight out of a commercial. The fries were golden and crispy, topped with herbs for a nice visual touch.

I was definitely excited to dig in.

The burger wasn’t hot, and the short rib overpowered all the other ingredients.

Upon the first bite, I noticed that my burger was only mildly warm, which was surprising to me, considering it had come out just minutes after I ordered.

As soon as I bit into the burger, I was hit with a strong smoky flavor from the short rib. It was very tasty, but almost too flavorful, as if it overpowered all the other ingredients.

Speaking of other ingredients, there was a lot going on in this burger, and I felt I had to pick it apart to really taste each part of it.

For example, the tomato chutney added a hint of sweetness when eaten with everything else, but on its own, it had a nice tang and a unique spice I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise.

I enjoyed how the roasted mushrooms brought a savory, umami note and a great bit of texture. I also liked the mix of Gruyère and cheddar cheese, and the bun was nicely toasted.

The patty tasted well-seasoned and nicely salted. However, as I kept eating, I found myself wishing the whole thing were juicier. It leaned dry overall, and without a hotter temperature or better balance of flavors to elevate it, it fell a little flat.

It’s a decent burger in a pinch, but between the overpowering short rib and the lack of heat, it didn’t wow me.

The fries, however, were delicious. They were crispy, well-salted, and served piping hot. I didn’t even use the ketchup for added flavor.

I visited Ramsay’s Kitchen on a Tuesday afternoon.

Located in Back Bay on Boylston Street, Ramsay’s Kitchen is one of six locations across the US.

This restaurant aims to make fine dining more accessible, offering a classic menu of burgers, pastas, salads, and seafood served with slightly elevated twists.

The restaurant had bar seating, but I chose the dining room.

Upon entering, I noticed the restaurant offered outdoor seating, a bar area, and a dining room.

The bar was busier on the afternoon I visited, but I opted for the dining room for a little less noise.

Its interior felt romantic, with dim lighting and half-moon booths. It definitely had a more upscale atmosphere than Ramsay’s burger joint.

After inquiring about the prix-fixe option, I ordered the lobster bisque and the RK Burger.

The restaurant’s lunch menu was extensive and elevated. It featured classic lunch staples, such as sandwiches, soups, and salads, as well as signature mains like beef Wellington and filet mignon.

When I first sat down, I was only given the standard lunch menu. However, I had seen a prix-fixe option online, so I asked my server about it, and she brought over another menu.

For the first course, I could choose from chicken wings, a salad, or a soup. The second course offered a variety of handhelds and mains, from fish and chips to roasted chicken. For dessert, options included cheesecake or sticky toffee pudding.

Although this menu had fewer options, I felt it offered much better value — two courses for $29 or three for $34.

I noticed a burger listed, and considering it would cost $25 à la carte, ordering it from the prix-fixe menu felt like a no-brainer. I opted for two courses and ordered the lobster bisque and the RK Burger.

The lobster bisque had an impressive presentation and an even better taste.

The bisque was brought to my table about 15 minutes after I ordered it. I was pleasantly surprised to find an actual chunk of lobster in the bowl, as I hadn’t expected any whole pieces.

My server then poured the creamy soup over the lobster from a small pitcher, adding a bit of tableside flair to the experience.

The soup was rich, creamy, and buttery, with bold tomato and deep lobster flavor throughout. It was undeniably delicious, with just the right amount of salt to enhance every bite.

The generous portion size was also just enough to savor, but not so filling that it spoiled the next course.

I realized I had polished it off in the same five minutes it took for my previous burger to arrive at Ramsay’s other restaurant.

A double patty added more value to the burger, and I appreciated the pickle on the side.

The RK Burger had all the elements of a classic burger, featuring a toasted brioche bun, double smash patties, caramelized onions, American cheese, and mayonnaise.

The double patties definitely added to its value, making it feel like a hearty main course.

Given that these were clearly labeled as smash patties on the menu, I wasn’t surprised I couldn’t specify how I wanted them cooked. They’re thin and well-done by design.

These fries were also seasoned with herbs, and the bun looked pillowy — but this burger came with a pickle spear on the side, which I really appreciated.

This burger practically melted in my mouth.

I could tell this burger was incredibly juicy just from picking it up, and I dug in.

This was love at first bite. The patties were so tender that they practically melted in my mouth, but there was also a nice crisp on the edges, adding just the right amount of texture.

The cheese was beautifully melted, and the caramelized onions brought a subtle sweetness that tied everything together.

Its bun was perfectly toasted, and the pickle added a nice, refreshing touch in between bites of the burger.

The fries were also delicious and well-seasoned. They may have been a bit less crispy than the ones I had at the first Ramsay restaurant, but I didn’t need ketchup here either.

Between the richness of the first course and the fact that this was a double burger, I was stuffed and couldn’t finish it. But it was one of those meals where I was genuinely annoyed at myself for being full, because I didn’t want to stop eating.

Overall, I found my meal at Ramsay’s Kitchen to be tastier and a much better value.

With tax but not including tip, my bill came to $24 at Gordon Ramsay Burger and $31 at Ramsay’s Kitchen.

For an extra $7, Ramsay’s Kitchen offered significantly more value, as it included two courses and, in my opinion, higher-quality food. Even if I hadn’t ordered off the prix-fixe menu, the RK burger alone would’ve only been about $3 more than the first burger I tried.

If I were in the area and looking for a lunch spot, the choice is a no-brainer, especially since the two restaurants are just 20 minutes apart by car.

I could only see myself returning to Gordon Ramsay Burger if I were looking for a casual spot to hang with friends, but even then, it feels more worth it to dress up a bit and head to Ramsay’s Kitchen for lunch instead.

Business Insider reached out to Ramsay Restaurants for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider

The post I ate lunch at Gordon Ramsay Burger and Ramsay’s Kitchen. The prices were similar, but the value wasn’t even close. appeared first on Business Insider.