The accolades are – much like their burgers – already stacked. But if you know, you know, and if you don’t, here we go, because ‘The Beefy Boys’ deserve the #IYKYK tag, whole-heartedly. Achieving international acclaim, the humble quartet of founders were thrust into the spotlight via not-so-humble beginnings with a silver medal at the 2014 World Food Championships in Las Vegas. The quartet of childhood friends; Anthony Murphy, Christian Williams, Lee Symonds, and the aptly-named Daniel Mayo-Evans, then ramped things up a notch, moving from their regular BBQs together in social settings, to opening restaurants in Hereford, Shrewsbury, Bath, Cheltenham, and most recently of all, Oxford, via yet more silverware.
This time, winning the ‘Signature Burger’ and ‘Burger Chef of the Year’ gongs at the UK’s National Burger Awards in 2023, and taking home the ‘Best Burger’ title at the National Burger Awards‘ ‘Champion of Champions’ competition in 2024. Throw a top-four finish at last year’s ‘World Food Championships‘ into the mix, and ‘The Beefy Boys‘ are making quite a splash amongst the foodie community right now! In fact, many critics are suggesting nothing can beat it. Well, except for maybe a Jet2 Holiday.
Setting the freshest of jewels in their crown within the ‘Westgate’ area of Oxford, a unique food terrace packed with various restaurants, The Beefy Boys have taken the prime real-estate, eye-level with the City’s beautiful skyline of dreaming spires, each silhouette sparkling prominently during the dusk of another Oxfordian sunset. And whilst the decor of the restaurant is clad with bold neons, and a real ‘Bristolian’ cross between the effortlessly rustic, and more modern twists, the real star of the show is the menu; A jam-packed smorgasbord of delights akin to the equivalent of Willy Wonka‘s factory, for meat lovers.
A wide mix of locally sourced Herefordshire beef, with a variation of brisket, and daily minced dry-aged, had me reaching for ChatGPT to check the symptoms and remedies of ‘hypersalivation’, with the ‘Oklahoma Onion’ style, where patties are smashed into onions, caramelizing them into the burger, taking this BBC review‘s title of ‘One of the World’s best’. For those in adventurous mood, there’s also ‘The Pizza Boy’, a delightful creation showcasing marinara sauce, breaded mozzarella, red onion, pepperoni, American cheese, Swiss cheese, and a side of Garlic Herb Dip. Rumours that the bigwigs over at Domino‘s are currently Googling ‘how to avoid bankruptcy’ cannot be confirmed, nor denied.
But these Beefy Boys aren’t just a one-trick cow. This jamboree of menu-madness also includes the kind of parmesan-soaked chicken tenders that would send an unnamed competitor that rhymes with ‘SchmingStop’ into cardiac arrest, and a range of topped fries including the garlic butter drizzled ‘Kyvivs’ and the showstoppers themselves… The ‘Poutine’ fries; A hearty portion of chips soaked in rich chicken gravy and the kind of melted cheese that just makes you want to light a log-fire and indulge in all things comforting. The latter, was a recommendation of Andy, a supreme waiter who – on the night – dazzled and sparkled with every polite smile and attentive question asked whilst gracefully swishing through the restaurant with the class of a serene Swan (will somebody please give this guy a raise?! He’s culinary gold-dust!).
Accompanying this pilgrimage to an anti ‘No Carbs before Marbs’ crusade, were the ‘Mac Bites’, as we channeled our inner-Mia Khalifa and stuffed balls into our face with gusto. These orgasmic spheres of gooey cheddar were also packed with the added delight of chives, and smoky bacon, as they burst all over the tongue and drip delightfully down the tonsils, accompanied by a mouthful of mighty mango milk from the spurting straw of the ‘Zolero’, a milkshake tribute to the ice lolly of a similar name, sprinkled with passionfruit particles.
And so… This elongated foreplay has now reached tantalising levels, and we move to the main event… The part that puts ‘The Beef…’ in ‘…Y Boys’. Gushing with every touch and oozing with seductive promise, this tender meat was dripping all over the plate long before the girthy brioche bun had chance to soak up any spillage. Brushed with bone marrow for an added realm of flavour, my selection of ‘The Dirty Boy’ proved every inch of its name, with dripping onions, double American cheese, and baconaise all spilling down every orifice. In fact, if ‘dirty’ is what you’re looking for, this monstrous mess is filthier than Bonnie Blue in the GUM clinic. Luckily, every table is laced with kitchen roll, so those wearing white t-shirts, be warned; Use the protection on offer, because this baby is hurting for a squirting.
A ridiculously decadent mix of melt-in-the-mouth meat, superb service, and frenetic flavours, The Beefy Boys are not just elevating the game, they’re changing it. In a sea of competitors, with ‘the BBQ format’ growing more saturated daily, this is an establishment which truly stands out for the carefully curated consideration of its mince-craft, and promise of patty perfection. Don’t just take the CULTR word for it though, induce yourself into your very own meat-coma via The Beefy Boys website… We promise it’s worth every drip, though your washing machine might not agree.
The best burger in the UK? Absolutely.
The best burger in the world? Quite possibly.
Hotel? Trivago.