A new fast food chain made famous on YouTube has expanded into Wales. Based out of Swansea's Village Hotel, the MrBeast brand has launched in partnership with the venue to bring the taste of America across the country.
But not everyone is aware of who the internet phenomenon behind it is - Jimmy Donaldson, known by his online persona MrBeast, is an American Youtuber racking over 92 million subscribers with his viral videos and challenges. In 2020, he announced a burger chain restaurant in the US which has now expanded into the UK with the help of Virtual Dining Concepts.
Through the use of 'ghost kitchens', the chain uses pre-existing pubs and kitchens across the country. Having recently opened in Swansea and Cardiff, the concept isn't really a restaurant at all and the experience reflects that.
Available only to order via UberEats or on the official MrBeastBurger website, the whole experience relies on virtual interaction with the option of delivery (if you live close enough). The self-titled 'virtual restaurant brand' allows restaurants to add an additional source of revenue to their operation without impacting on the business.
Unfortunately I did not have the luxury of delivery so decided to visit the SA1 hotel to see the operation for myself and was initially left questioning if I had even visited the right place. Venturing down to the Village Hotel was a task in itself, most likely as I haven't visited the area in several years and all the recent residential properties had hidden it away from clear view.
Upon entering the bar area, I had a quick glance at the menus only to discover there was absolutely no reference to the MrBeast chain or if it was operating from the site. Only when speaking to a helpful employee, did I discover you could only order the goods online and via UberEats.
Delivery drivers seemingly were filtering in and out to collect orders, most likely as the branch opened on Monday so I had high hopes but the restaurant was empty except for a handful of people enjoying a drink and appearing to order from the regular menu. Ordering via UberEats, the menu is not extensive, a handful of burgers and sandwiches to choose from with either chicken or beef. I chose a combo deal to see how the value faired - A 'Beast Style Burger Combo' meal for £10.99 - a double burger loaded with smashed beef patties, American cheese, pickles, white onion, ketchup, mayo and mustard all in a soft roll.
It sounded loaded and I hadn't originally realised but you get two burgers amounting to 950 calories. The words bigger is always better sprang to mind and what I would associate with American food. Wanting as much as possible to try from, I added 'Beast Style Fries' - loaded with onions, cheese, pickles and all the sauces. Again, looking back I had ordered far too much, but increased the total price by £1.75 so seemed like a wise option. However, again the food was soaked with calories, 510 to be exact for a box of chips. Adding a small canned drink and a chocolate chip cookie for £2.49 to round off the order, the total cost came in at £15.23.
The only reference found to MrBeast or the chain was when you received the order, coming in a brown paper bag. Everything about the partnership is completely discrete and virtual - you wouldn't know it exists on the site. The smell in my car on the drive home was enjoyable and had me licking my lips in anticipation.
Coming in bright colourful boxes, I opened up to find a pretty substantial portion size and came to the conclusion that my eyes are bigger then my stomach - no way was I going to be able to finish this all off. Swansea has some fantastic burger offerings with the likes of Madbuns, Smoking Griddle and The Swigg all boasting some good quality food at a reasonable price, and I wondered if America could compete.
The burger started off being enjoyable but quickly became a mixture of too much with all the cheese and sauces combining together. The bun was also disappointing as you couldn't even take the bun off the top to view inside - it was just all jam packed together and lacked any vegetables (you had to pay an additional 50p for lettuce or caramelised onions - bizarre).
One was more then enough for me, perhaps as I was also feasting down on the loaded fries too. As a lover of mustard and gherkins, the loaded fries were the most enjoyable part of the meal, and still warm by the time I got home - although it is clear that the emphasis is on 'more' quantity over anything else.
The cheese was overwhelming and quickly turned my stomach into feeling sick by the time I had finished the burger. The seasoned fries that came with the burger were also cold and damp - I hadn't expected these in the first place as I upgraded my fries to the loaded but these came also.
Finishing the meal with a dessert, the only option was a chocolate chip cookie which valued at £2.49 was daylight robbery for what you get. It was worse then a generic supermarket cookie and you can get more elsewhere. With another fast-food giant virtually walking distance from the Village Hotel, alongside some local quality burgers within driving distance, I honestly think your money is better spent elsewhere. Having more choice is always a good thing but I don't think this American chain has transitioned over to the UK smoothly. Click here to sign up to our What's On Newsletter to keep up to date with the latest food news, events and things to do in and around Wales.
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