Wow is right; this little shack on the border of Wan Chai and Causeway Bay blew us away. The spot always has a long line at lunchtime, full of hungry students pouring out of the Institute of Vocational Education across the road. It’s worth the wait. We had their classic hamburger ($23), which comes in a plain white wrapper housing a toasted bun, thick beef patty, mayonnaise, and crisp cuts of tomato.

What our tasters said: “It’s got the right thickness... Yummy and satisfying... Easily one of the best burgers we’ve tried... It actually tastes like a burger made with realingredients... Perfecto... Good soft bun... Needs onions, but otherwise a classic lettuce and tomato combo... Just the right amount of mayo... Unfussy greatness... Shows you shouldn’t judge a burger by its wrapper... It’s the little burger that could... One word: wow.”

Meat: 8/10
Bun: 8/10
Toppings: 8/10
Value: 10/10
Overall: 9/10. It might not look like much, but this tiny take-away spot serves one of the most perfect burgers in town. Like some sort of fast-food symphony, all the elements perform together in perfect unison to create a taste sensation worthy of the name. And at $23, this is an absolute bargain.

Shop 12, Pao Woo Mansion, 51 Cross Lane, Wan Chai, 2833 5923.

Ten best take-out burgers in town:
Mos Burger, Japanese Ingenuity
McDonald’s, The Market Cornerer
Burger King,By Royal Decree
Shake ’em Buns, X-Rated
Monster Burger, Creature feature
Atomic Patty, Best of LKF
Burger Republic, Independence Day
Big Bite, The chefs’ choice
Wow! Burger, Almost famous
BurgeRoom, Top of the class

Also reviewed:
Gourmet Burger Union
Freshness Burger
Triple O's
Toppings
Cul-De-Sac
Archie B's
Si Sun Fast Food

See also: The United Nations of Burger
                  The Burger Boom