If you’re planning a visit to Alton Towers in 2025 and looking for a quick bite, you might come across The Burger Kitchen, situated between The World of David Walliams and The Dark Forest. With a spacious indoor seating area and outdoor picnic benches offering a scenic view on sunny days, it seems like a convenient spot to grab a meal. But does it live up to expectations? Read on for our honest review!
Mixed Experiences Over the Years
We’ve dined here before with mixed results, sometimes great, sometimes disappointing, so we were eager to see how it fared at the start of the 2025 season. Using the self-service Point of Sale tablets, we ordered:
- Double Cheeseburger Combo Meal – £15.25
- BBQ Chicken Sandwich Meal – £15.00
- Kids Chicken Tenders Meals (x2) – £8.00 each
- Kids Cheeseburger Meal – £8.00
Total Bill: £54.25
With a 20% MAP discount (£10.85 off), the final amount came to £43.40, averaging £8.68 per person for our family of five.
The Dining Experience
While waiting for our food, I sat down with the kids while my partner collected our order. A nice touch was the crayons and coloring sheets provided at each table, keeping the little ones entertained. The walls, adorned with Alton Towers ride-themed decor, added to the theme park vibe. However, cleanliness was lacking. Tables weren’t regularly wiped down, and abandoned rubbish should have been cleared away more efficiently.
The atmosphere felt odd, too. Unlike other eateries where there’s a lively buzz, both guests and staff seemed unenthusiastic, almost like they were there out of obligation rather than enjoyment.
The Food: Hits and Misses
Kids’ Meals – Surprisingly Good!
Our eldest went for the Kids Cheeseburger Meal with fries and a Capri Sun. It looked decent, and he happily finished it, making the £6.40 (after discount) price tag feel fair. Our younger two devoured their Chicken Tenders Meals with no complaints. Crispy, tasty, and satisfying.
Double Cheeseburger – A Letdown
The weight of the Double Cheeseburger was promising, it felt substantial, suggesting a good quality beef patty. However, the execution was disappointing. Overcooked and charred, it reminded me of those BBQ burgers left on the grill too long. While the fresh bun and salad helped, the overcooked patty ruined what could have been a great burger.
BBQ Chicken Sandwich – Delicious but Frustrating
My partner’s BBQ Chicken Sandwich was surprisingly tasty. Crispy, flavourful, and well-balanced with the brioche bun and sauce. However, the frustrating part? It was simply three kids’ chicken tenders placed in a brioche bun with BBQ sauce, meaning we essentially paid an extra £7.00 for a brioche bun and a bit of Coca-Cola.
Final Verdict: Worth It?
Leaving The Burger Kitchen, we felt conflicted. While the food wasn’t terrible, the pricing didn’t match the quality. The biggest takeaway? If you’re not a big eater, the kids’ meals might be the best value, they’re comparable to a Big Mac meal in size and significantly cheaper than adult meals.
Ratings:
- Location: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Conveniently placed near popular attractions
- Service: ⭐⭐ (2/5) – Efficient but lacked enthusiasm
- Cleanliness: ⭐⭐ (2/5) – Needs better upkeep
- Atmosphere: ⭐⭐ (2/5) – Oddly dull
Would we return? Probably not. There are better value and better-quality food options elsewhere in Alton Towers. If you do decide to visit, opt for the kids’ meals for the best bang for your buck!
