After a short hiatus, Gorilla & Lamb are back. Previously based at The Cambridge Blue, they have now moved to The Portland Arms, replacing Oscar’s Lockdown Pizza.

I am absolutely delighted, as I have sorely missed them. In fact, during my last visit, I ranked them as one of the best burger spots in Cambridge. I was excited to see whether they still had that magic, so I popped down to check them out.

The Menu

The menu is incredibly streamlined, allowing them to focus entirely on what they do best – burgers and fries.

There are a few little extras like brownies, but the most intriguing item on the menu was a lobster roll… something I have never seen on a burger menu before. The inner foodie in me knew right then and there that I had to order it.

But first…the smash burgers!

Gorilla Smash!

It had been a while since my last visit, so I decided to order their classic smash burger to remind myself what they are all about. A single comes in at around a tenner, with a double at £12.50. I was glad to see them using Martin’s Potato Rolls, which have always proven to be soft, pillowy, and sturdy enough to handle pretty much anything you chuck at them.

The burgers themselves don’t look overly gaudy or try-hard, but once you take that first bite, it all makes total sense. What always gets me about a Gorilla & Lamb burger is just how incredibly crispy the smash patty is. You can genuinely feel that deep crunch on the bite, and it brings the whole burger to life. Coupled with an abundance of melted American cheese and a generous helping of their secret sauce – which I still can’t quite decipher – it combines into absolute smash burger perfection.

Gorilla & Lamb have still got it!

Lobster Roll

The lobster roll arrived loaded with a lemon & chive aioli that would have disintegrated lesser bread, but the Martin’s hoagie roll held true with minimal mess. I know lobster is an expensive ingredient, but even at a rather steep £19, I was still expecting a little more lobster meat in the roll. Despite that, it tasted great and was a fun, unusual idea that you simply wouldn’t see on most pub menus – and the foodie in me has to celebrate that kind of ambition.

G & L are back!

​I am so glad Gorilla & Lamb are back on the scene. The team truly understands what makes a great smash burger work: the balance of a deeply crispy edge, gooey cheese, distinct sauce, and proper bread. If you’ve missed them as much as I have, get down to The Portland Arms and welcome them back.
​Thanks for reading!