The 5 Best Chicken Burgers in Dublin Right Now
Words: Shamim de Brún
Images: Instagram
Irish people know their chicken. We are steadfast consumers of mountains of the stuff in all its various forms, but the chicken fillet burger has a particularly-special place among Dubs.
In 2016, three million chickens were sacrificed every week to sate Irish appetites. In 1960, the World Health Organisation surveyed Irish consumption of all poultry. It found that we ate 6kg each a year. By 1980, that annual figure had reached more than 20kg for each. Most recent figures show it standing at 22kg, which is wild when you think about it all the way through.
There’s a je ne sais quoi quality to the combination of juicy chicken and crispy, crunchy, fried coating bound together in bread and gussied up in whatever which-way you want. The mere mention of a chicken burg sets off cravings. Most of us don’t need to think much further than that – we know we want to eat it. According to the Gastro Gays’ excellent book Hot Fat, “There is a certain alchemy when something delicious is submerged in hot oil. It fundamentally changes – texture, colour, size, even aroma – creating a wonderfully crisp edible barrier.”
For a long time, the chipper was the only player in the chicken fillet burger game. Now, however, it is a veritable smorgasbord of standard options and available burgers. It’s hard to see the wood from the laminate flooring in the chicken burger ether. There are many places out there slathering subpar dry chicken in buffalo sauce and calling it brilliant. But, thank the deity of your choice, we are in the golden age of the crunchy, juicy, fried chicken burger. We’ve scoured the streets, tapped into the underground chef network, and feasted our way through Dublin’s chicken burger scene to bring you the definitive list of the top five spots that won’t leave you clucking for more.
Happy’s
Happys arrived on the Dublin food scene with a cocked shotgun-level bang, thanks to their fusion of far-eastern flavours and quintessential diner-style comfort food. Nestled in the heart of Aston Quay, Happy’s these days is where street food prowess meets big, bold, beautiful flavours. With a menu boasting five chicken burgers at any given time, this joint isn’t afraid to push the boundaries. The Jimmy Burger is build-up from the ground with Mission spice-fried chicken crowned with peanut and lime sauce, vegan chilli crunch, and cheese sauce, all nestled between pillowy buns. Happy’s hits hard and has earned it’s spot as a top chicken burger by knocking it out of the proverbial park every time.
BuJo Burger
BuJo is a powerhouse on the burg scene with locations in Sandymount, Terenure, and Castleknock. BuJo is on a mission to redefine the burger experience while championing sustainability. Flame-grilled chicken burgers? Check. Fully recyclable packaging? Double check. What they do really well is texture. Their chicken burger creates a satisfying contrast between the crispy-crunchy coating and tender chicken. But beyond that straightforward textural enjoyment, the crispness sends our brain a message that the food is in good condition. BuJo is a testament to excellence. To bite into one of their chicken burgers is to taste joy in the form of chicken. No notes.
Benjamin’s Hot Chicken
Benjamin’s Hot Chicken is a fiery journey. Offering a pretty diverse and expansive selection of ‘sandos’ and ‘tendies,’ this hotspot specialises in packing a punch with every bite. From sumac onions to roast garlic tahini, Benjamin’s doesn’t hold back on flavour. Plus, with a vibe that’s as welcoming as it is vibrant, Benjamin’s is the kind of craic where you would want to be eating chicken burgers with a gaggle of the gals, gays and guys.
Cluck Chicken
If there’s one thing Cluck Chicken knows, it’s how to elevate the OG chicken burger to new heights. From their monthly specials to collaborations with culinary luminaries, Cluck is where innovation meets indulgence. Take, for example, their Champion burger, boasting fried chicken, bacon jam, organic goats cheese, and truffle honey sandwiched between a beetroot bun. Cluck Chicken is a full on gem that’s worth seeking out.
Chimac
Top of the table, surprising absolutely no one, we have Chimac—a temple dedicated to the art of Korean-style fried chicken. From their flagship location on Aungier Street to their expansion into Terenure and pop-ups at the Aviva Stadium, Chimac has taken Dublin by storm. Whether you’re sinking your teeth into a KimCheese burger or sampling their signature sauces, Chimac knows how to deliver the goods. Experts and locals alike flock to Chimac for their chicken fix. Dive into Chimac for some proper chicken bliss (and a lil ice cream sammie to chase it down).
In a city where chicken burgers reign supreme, these five spots stand out as true titans of taste. So grab your napkins, loosen your belts, and get clucking you cluckers.
Elsewehre on Char: The Dublin 100
