2018 was the Chinese Year of The Dog, for me I think it must have been the Year of The Burger and there’s a noticeable waistline to prove it. While this sounds like a New Year’s Resolution just begging to be made, eating less burgers isn’t on that list.

That said, I’m always keen to discover new burger joints and was pretty excited to see what Ketchup was all about. First up, Bluewaters is actually pretty awesome and the interior design for Ketchup is everything you’d expect for this new flagship destination. Award Winning ID firm Bishop have delivered a sleek, shiny and great looking approach that offers a slightly different angle to the well worn industrial style of every other burger stop in the world, this joint is more refined and upscale, so big props for that.

At risk of being negative though, that’s probably about where the compliments end.

The Ketchup menu seems to be someone’s idea of what they thought the Middle East needs in burgers, however the combinations on offer just don’t appeal. Amoungst other things, there’s a Curry Burger, a UAE Lamb Burger, along with a Shrimp Burger too. 

Then there’s the burger sizes; the menu is strangely set up into a varied size format that comes with no indication of the actual size and seemingly only certain options can be had in certain sizes. For instance, you can only get their signature Ketchup Burger in the so called extra large size, making it the most expensive - while the small trio of sliders comes as only three of the same flavor, which seems like a really strange thing to do if you’re looking to promote your burger range.

It all seems to miss the mark really.

While we waited for the burger, we ordered a Guacamole, which was nervously and tediously prepared at the table. It was a miserable portion for 42 Dirhams and was in desperate need of lime.

As for the the extra huge (as described by the staff it’s enough for two people) Ketchup Burger (AED 65), it was completely lackluster, featuring an anemic patty that had no real discernible flavor that simply leaked water as if it had been defrosted, which led to the bun completely falling apart - it wasn’t even that big either!

Rounding out the experience, the service was non-discript and for those that are keen to be served local water, no such luck here. The only still water available is Highland at a mind blowing 33 Dirhams a bottle.

With so many burger joints around Dubai, there’s just no room to move when it comes to quality and originality. In all, it was far from being a promising debut.