Fergburger Queenstown [Vegan Adventures in NZ][SteemitWorldMap]
While Queenstown was actually toward the end of our second South Island trip to New Zealand, at this point it’s just too hard to hold back from discussing this world-renowned burger joint.
To make the remark that Fergburger is popular is a vast understatement.
It’s had write ups in CNN Travel back in 2015 and it’s almost as iconic as bungy. The place has even been frequented by none other than Ed Sheeran, proven by the photo on the side wall (because photos are necessary evidence for this kind of claim).
We’ve been here more than once and every time I’ve walked past or decided to wrap my lips around their buns, I’ve always been confronted by a line of customers. This piece of advice should be heeded: if you’re not alone, send one person in to secure a seat as they’re actually more abundant than you’d expect. It is actually laughable how many reviews claim that you won't get a seat or it's packed to the gills, when in fact, many of these people mistake the huge line for people sitting down. I know it sounds nuts but seriously, you'll get a seat if you send a mate in on a reconnaissance mission - even if you have to wait a minute or two for a couple to finish their meal.
What should thou expect at Fergburger?
Every burger is constructed then wrapped in Ferg's iconic branding.
As a vegan, you’ve got two options; A falafel burger aptly named the Bun Laden and the tofu-based Holier than Thou. The fanatical connotations aren't lost on me. I am partial to falafel on occasion, but of all the times I’ve been to Fergburger, it has never tempted me. As a result, I can only really give my honest opinion of the tofu-based choice.
Tempura tofu constitutes the "body" of the Holier than Thou.
While I am at odds with my decision to label any Fergburger as “flavourless”, it is hard to imagine how they could bugger up a tofu burger. To everyone that’s asked me what tofu tastes like, I’ve always replied it is a texture you’re buying. Not a flavour. As a result, tofu can taste as amazing or as bland as its burger-artisan decides. One simply does not expect to layer up a burger with tofu, tomato and lettuce and expect it to stand on its own. And to the original designer of the burger, I’ll give it to you that you already knew this (or maybe just applied the same principle to every other burger creation known to mankind – it’s all about the sauce!). Sadly, the Aioli is just too timid to give the customer a sense of culinary direction. I mean, you can taste the aioli, but it is subtle.
Iconic does not automatically mean delicious.
According to the origin story as reported in the aforementioned article, Ferg’s popularity grew from its niche appeal to adventure sportspeople as a hole-in-the-wall restaurant. I don’t know what they were putting on the burgers back in 2001, but that magical ingredient was absent from mine.
Hayley and I chowed down on our burgers after a very long day of cycling that may or may not have involved a dispute as to whether we should turn back. When you're hungry, you're less likely to be a nit-picker.
Vegan options impure???
Bear with me for a moment as I address the statement made by Frances Cha claiming that the two vegetarian options (they must be altered to make either vegan) are impure as she dotes on the savagely cruel meat-based options mockingly given names such as "Little Lamby" and "Sweet Bambi".
Bizarrely, Cha's reference to the term impure goes against even Ferg's own labelling of the two options - one of which is called the Holier than Thou! I'd have thought holiness and purity would go hand in hand. Maybe she's one of these folks who think hamburgers are only the real deal if they have a corpse between the buns. Ick.
I’m hoping that since the article was written in 2015, Frances has altered how she views sentient beings. Despite reality, I’ll believe she has. I’ll sleep better. Many people have labelled 2019 as the year of the vegan and considering that Ferg’s sister company Fergbaker has no less than six unique vegan sorbet options, including a very decadent chocolate and super-creamy coconut in a vegan cone, I’m surprised the famous burger joint hasn’t at least adopted a burger with vegan cheese.
Just next door, Fergbaker sells an assortment of gelato and vegan sorbet. The chocolate and coconut duet was a match made in heaven! Moments later, I had my hands full cleaning rogue gelato from around Hayley's mouth as we both inhaled our dessert.
The El Vegano.
When you’re throwing down the gauntlet for Fergburger to cough up some more vegan options, the least one could do is offer a helping hand. As many of you are well aware, I am pretty health conscious but all bets are off when one ventures down to Queenstown seeking something deliciously decadent, yet vegan. So Ferg, he’s what I have to offer.
Toss the tofu, keep the aioli, but add some zing. Within those buns, expect to be met with Tofurky Slow Roasted Chick’n that’s been marinated in a spicy barbeque hot sauce blend, topped with a melted slice of vegan cheddar embellished with lettuce, avocado and tomato. And that top bun is where you’ll find a slathering of smeared vegan aioli.
Your welcome.
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Tofu is kinda like flour. You don't just eat it on it's own. You have to do something with it. Bun Laden (lol!) sounds alright though.
Yep. I love a bit of miso and tofu - had that for lunch today, actually!
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