Reykjavík Grapevine - 15.08.2014, Qupperneq 63

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“ 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 “
top ten the best restaurants in Iceland
the finest thai restaurant in Iceland
m a n y f a m o u s p e o p l e a r e r e g u l a r s h e r e
BanThai
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NEW AWARDS
BEST THAI FOOD
2 0 1 4
also. . . .
DV.17.07.11
Best goddamn restaurant 2011
the best thai food
Located in the basement of Laugavegur
mainstay bar Dillon, Chuck Nor-
ris Grill opened for business a few
months ago, after what seemed like
aeons of renovation work (I remem-
ber passing the boarded-up basement
windows announcing “Hér opnar nýr
veitingastaður”—“A new restaurant
will open here”—for well over a year,
at least). Naturally, my curiosity was
piqued and anticipation had built over
a long time, so when Chuck Norris Grill
finally appeared on the scene I was
thoroughly excited, expecting a hot,
greasy fix befitting the name (i.e. “not
for sissies”).
We arrived on a beautiful warm day
(the *single* warm and beautiful day
this summer had thus far brought),
which was too rare to waste inside
a dim basement, so we made for the
picnic tables out back immediately
after placing our orders. I chose the
“Wa Bamm!” burger and an Oreo milk-
shake, while my partner ordered the
“Knocked-Out Hen” recommended by
the waitress.
Once outside, we caught a feverous
scent of barbecue so mouth-watering
it would have turned Ghandi himself
into a carnivore. After an unusually
long wait for what I had assumed to be
fast food—perhaps only fifteen minutes,
though considerably exacerbated by
the maddening aroma—our food finally
arrived, and we immediately started
hacking at it as diligent predators do.
Fun fact: Chuck Norris once kicked
a horse in the chin. Its descendants are
currently known as giraffes. However,
Chuck Norris’s food doesn’t pack near-
ly the same punch. The “Knocked-Out
Hen” turned out to be chicken breast
in a toasted pita bun, diced so incred-
ibly neatly we initially mistook it for
feta cheese (in fact, I’m still baffled
how they managed that). It was accom-
panied by caramelized onions—not a
bad touch, that—but the sandwich was
smothered in mango chutney to the ex-
tent of rendering every other ingredi-
ent useless. Most of you readers could
probably make a better version of this
at home, and you should.
As for my “Wa Bamm!” burger, I
can safely proclaim that its exclama-
tion mark was superfluous. This was
simply a burger, nothing more, nothing
less. The bun was too large, and sat like
a mushroom cap on the patty, which
was not exactly dry, but not at all juicy,
either. By way of toppings, there was
some watery lettuce, and little else.
There are great burgers out there.
Keep looking.
On a more positive note, fans of the
nostalgic, 1950s diner experience won’t
be disappointed by the Oreo milkshake.
Topped with full fat cream, it’s thick
and smooth but without those annoy-
ing chunks that get stuck in your straw
(hate that!). Love this!
Not Such A Knock-Out
PATRICIA ÞORMAR
ALISA KALYANOVA
What We Think:
Chuck Norris probably wouldn’t
bother.
Flavour:
Somewhat missing.
Ambiance:
Basically a bare basement—but
offers great outdoor seating.
Service:
Sufficient.
Price for 2 (with drinks):
2000-3000 ISK
Chuck Norris Grill
Laugavegur 30, 101 Reykjavík
Mon-Fri 11-23