Black Tap, a popular New York burger joint, known for its craft burgers and OTT milkshakes, has set up shop in London, selling some very American treats.
From fried pickles to pizza burgers, cheese fries and ‘Crazy Shakes’, the menu at Black Tap is big and bold and everything looks picture-perfect for the ‘gram.
The restaurant chain was founded in the SoHo neighbourhood of the Big Apple in 2015 by Chris Baris and Julie Mulligan, and started out as a 15-seat burger bar, before growing into a global enterprise.
It now has 13 locations around the world, with seven in the USA including Disneyland in California, Nashville and Las Vegas, and it’s expanding across Europe too.
The new site at Westfield Stratford is the brand’s first in the UK – and it’s already proved such a hit that a second London branch is already in the works, set to open in Soho in the next few months.
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The restaurant chain prides itself on offering ‘comfort food at its best’, and guests can choose between classic burgers, such as the All-American (£16.50) featuring American cheese and special sauce and served with fries, lettuce, tomato and a pickle.
Alternatively you can splash out on the Wagyu Steakhouse burger (£20) which has Pepperjack Cheese, crispy onions, A1 sauce and roasted garlic mayo, or go for a Crispy Chicken burger (£18) loaded with buttermilk coleslaw, coriander, fresh lime, spicy mayo and Korean BBQ sauce.
There’s even a fish and chips burger for those that fancy a quirky twist on a British classic.
The side of fries can be substituted for a side salad at no charge, or onion rings (£2), sweet potato fries (£1.50) or speciality fries for £3.50.
Chicken lovers can also order wings, in Mexican Hot, Black Tap Hot or Korean BBQ flavours, but if that’s not for you the menu boasts several salads and a selection of eight different sauces to customise your meal.
Aside from burgers, it’s the Crazy Shakes that the chain is known for, which are milkshakes, fully loaded with cream, ice cream, sweets and entire slices of cake, and/or cookies.
Most photographed is the Cake Shake (£14.50) with a vanilla frosted rim covered in rainbow sprinkles and topped with a funfetti cake slice, whipped cream, more rainbow sprinkles and a cherry. Other options include the Jammy Dodger, Cookies ‘N Cream Supreme, Brooklyn Blackout and Cotton Candy.
The base milkshake flavours can be swapped out for strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, espresso, Lotus Biscuit and Oreo.
What do customers have to say about Black Tap?
The chain’s Soho restaurant in New York has more than 500 excellent reviews on Tripadvisor, with the overall gist being that they sell a ‘really good burger’ but that it’s ‘a bit pricey’.
Roy F gave four stars, writing: ‘A very good burger place. I had the Tennessee burger. The fries were fresh and tasty and spicy mayo was so food. They also have beer on tap.
‘Maybe it’s just me, or may be it’s New York but $22 feels a bit expensive.’
Brian M rated his visit five stars, saying: ‘Actually have gone here twice for food. First time my mind was blown! Burger was fantastic but the dessert was unbelievable. Second time we went it did not disappoint.’
And TravelBarbie658 added: ‘Classic American burgers that taste out of the world!’
However, not everyone is a big fan, Sheila A thought it was ‘overrated’ and ‘overpriced’, as James S claims he was ‘disappointed’.
Over on Reddit, a snap of the Cake Shake was posted from a visit at Disneyland and people were quick to brand the epic dessert/drink hybrid ‘obscene’ and an ‘abomination’.
A user known as u/Underwater_overseer commented: ‘This is just so obscene. Was it any good? How much did you finish before slipping into a diabetic coma? I love a good milkshake, but these are intimidating.’
And u/Stradocaster seconded this, posting: ‘They are definitely not meant to be truly eaten… their normal shakes are killer though.’
While u/lordquacks added: ‘This is the most American thing I’ve ever seen.’
Since launching in the UK in November, Black Tap has garnered some very positive reviews on Google, with a score of 4.8 out of five.
Many were quick to say the food was ‘delicious’ and that the ‘massive, wild’ shakes live up to their name.
Lukas Mikulic shared: ‘Went to Black Tap recently, and wow, what a spot! The Wagyu burgers were unreal – juicy, flavorful, just perfect. Honestly, some of the best I’ve ever had. And those Crazy Shakes? They live up to the name! Massive, wild, and so good. Every bite (or sip) was a sugar rush in the best way possible. Great vibe, great service – definitely a place I’ll be hitting up again. If you haven’t been, you’re missing out!’
While Lauren Clarke said: ‘Such a cool vibe, friendly service, even better food and cocktails. The broccoli, fried pickles and cauliflower and corn burger was my favourite, the shake was instagram worthy, and the cocktails were not shy with the alcohol and super tasty. Can’t wait to come back.’
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