GETTING a top class burger without having to pay the earth is something of a rarity these days.

What you have put on in pounds from eating a so-called gourmet burger is usually immediately countered by what you have lost from your wallet.

So enter Shrimp and Burger – a fabulously relaxed dining experience that offers full on flavour, quality and service without having to save up for a week to do it.

Most mains are priced well under ten pounds with side dishes dishes an optional extra.

The ethos of the diner is soul, big finger licking flavours that pack a punch but leave you as if you have enjoyed a great big gourmet hug on a plate.

The restaurant opened at the end of last year and has already enjoyed a pacy trade thanks to its prominent position on the corner of Bedford Place and Carlton Place.

We visited with the kids and, although at the time we went, there was no children’s menu as such the staff were quick to point out that any of the dishes can be done child sized.

The most difficult part was pondering the extensive selection of burger toppings with everything from cajun spice, Louisiana soul and cowboy-style ranch beans.

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The other half of the menu looked equally as appetising with shrimps done in all kinds of ways – or you could have the best of both worlds and go combo.

I went for a loaded burger, melting Monterey Jack cheese bacon and beans smothered all over a big hunk of pink-in-themiddle beef pattie. It was also encased in a delicious glazed brioche-style bun accompanied by the crunchiest of sweet potato fries which I ordered on the side.

Between us our party also enjoyed a pulled pork bun, topped with a lip-smackingly good BBQ sauce and a huge American-style hot dog which went down a treat coming with all the authentic toppings of a street vendor in NYC.

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The kids washed their meals down with homemade milkshakes which came in fun jam jar-style glasses complete with a striped straw and topped with marshmallows. It isn’t just the kids who can indulge here as there were an array of tempting flavours available.

We all agreed on being completely stuffed by the time we sat back in our colourful metal chairs in the shabby chic-style diner.

The seemingly hap-hazard mixture of table and chairs adds to ‘come on in’ feeling you get when you step through the doors.

The pot of cutlery, sauces and a roll of kitchen towel (which is an essential addition given the size of the burgers) dotted on the tables fits in perfectly with the diner-style comfort food that comes out of the kitchen.

My only advice would be to bring a healthy appetite if you ever visit Shrimp and Burger – you will need it.