Patty Power: Fatburger finally opens

Fatburger has opened up a new front in Beijing's burger wars with their first Mainland China branch in The Grand Summit complex just north of the Kempinski Hotel. We dropped in for lunch today (hat tip to Beijing Boyce for his timely twitter post) and found the place hopping on this, its first official day of business after a slight delay due to some issues with sourcing their beef. Business was so brisk, in fact, it was hard not to feel a bit sorry for the forlorn O'Brien's counter (owned by the same management) in the corner.

The results seem to have been worth the wait - we sampled the standard Fatuburger meal (RMB 60 for a basic burger, fries or onion rings and a large drink, with optional add-ons like bacon, egg or cheese for RMB 5 extra for each) and tasted a discernable difference in the grilled patty (more ambitious eaters can opt for the RMB 60 Double Fatburger or RMB 80 Triple). Beef aside, the menu also includes grilled chicken sandwiches (RMB 50 for the meal deal, same sides as above), shakes (RMB 30 chocolate, vanilla or strawberry - though they haven't gotten in their supply yet), hot wings (RMB 40 for the combo meal) and fries (choose from either "fat" or "skinny," both RMB 20).

As with most North American based franchises, the owners have gotten the fast food-cum diner ambiance - from the red neon tube lights and stainless steel counter to the t-shirt clad waitstaff and light jazz and 80s rock soundtrack - down to a science. Perhaps the only noticeable Beijing twist is the "call and response" ordering system behind the counter ("Fatburger combo and fries," yells the cashier, to which the entire kitchen staff echoes a reply in unison).

The management has experience operating Fatburger branches down in Hong Kong and plans rapid expansion to other key areas (i.e. Sanlitun, Guo Mao etc.) in the near future.

Fatburger. 1-LB01 The Grand Summit, Liangmaqiao Diplomatic Compound (in the same building as Tavola and Starbucks, across the street and 300 m north of the Kempinski Hotel's main entrance), 19 East Dongfang Lu. Chaoyang District. (8532 1878) leelee@fatburgerlover.com, www.fatburger.com