Tendain is a homegrown burger (concept and) restaurant which has already built up quite a hardcore following, especially within the local community. Located somewhat off the beaten track in Nad Al Sheba (that’s next door to Meydan), its interior couldn’t be more different to its obscure location – it’s an exercise in grey urban minimalism – grey epoxy floor, grey concrete walls and…guess what colour the ceiling is? Full marks to whoever guessed grey. Normally I’d be yawning by now but, offset by Scandian light wood coloured countertops and tables, it actually looks good. From one end of the restaurant to the other is a narrow maze-like passageway dotted with the odd table or counter and cash counters at each end. I put both to the test, ordering a burger from each.
The burger recommended to me was the Ribs Burger, which is basically a chunk of slow-cooked beef rib smeared with BBQ sauce in a potato bun. How can something like this NOT be amazing? It was. But wanting to try a basic burger, if you can call the Double Wagyu Burger basic, I ordered one. Irrespective of how good the spare rib burger was, it was this basic burger which I preferred. As its name suggests, it’s a double patty smashed burger which they get a really good sear on. Again, this is served in a pillow-soft potato bun. The closest I can compare this to is High Joint’s Double H which has been one of my two favourite burgers since I first tasted it a few months ago.
So, if you’re looking at taking a little drive out from wherever you are to the Nad Al Shiba area, I cannot think of a better burger option than Tendain in that neighbourhood. With Shake Shack, Pickl and now High Joint sitting next door to me in Motor City, will I make the drive out to Tendain when my burger cravings start tingling? Absolutely not. But if I’m out in that area I will definitely give it another try because, in my mind, it is one of the better burger propositions in Dubai today.
Xerxes (pronounced Zûrk’seez) – Food Adventurer Extraordinaire – Shamelessly Exploring the Boundaries of Gluttony
Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join him on his culinary journey on Instagram: @ravenousxerxes or reach out to him via email on xerxes@dellara.com.