Cover inset left: Mark Pace

Pictured in cover inset bottom right: Daniel Grech and Frankie Grima

A new burgers and pancakes joint is opening up in the open-air front terrace of Is-Suq tal-Belt in Valletta – and its unapologetically loud signage is already turning heads.

Burgers.Ink is the newest venture from Daniel Grech and his business partner Frankie Grima, and, as anyone who is accustomed to Daniel Grech’s signature style knows, the place will be serving up all kinds of over-the-top, tasty dishes.

The name is inspired by Daniel Grech’s love for tattoos – he himself is covered with them – and it’s rare for more than a few months to go by before he is looking for some more skin to get inked.

“People know me as Daniel tal-burgers or Daniel tat-tattoos, so that’s how we came up with the name,” Daniel Grech told Lovin Malta. “As for the dishes, we’re going to have over 20 different burgers, 20 different pancakes from sweet to savoury, as well as an entire breakfast menu and hot-dogs and milkshakes.”

While some are excited for Daniel Grech’s infamous burgers, others have complained about Burgers.Ink’s bright signage, as well as its location at the restored Is-Suq tal-Belt

Is-Suq tal-Belt was renovated at the end of 2017, with the repurposing of the outdoor area, which was originally planned to be an exhibition space, becoming the subject of some controversy.

Just days away from their official opening, the Burgers.Ink team said they were aware of the criticism

“What can I say, it’s their opinion, but this is a different thing. They are complaining that we brought it ħamallu, but we are bringing a new concept to Valletta. As for criticism, I move on – it’s part of the job, and everyone has the right to say how they feel. The sign lights up the street – I mean, it is the sign of a restaurant after all,” said Daniel Grech.

“In my eyes, it looks good – but I accept their comments, and if I need to change the sign I don’t mind, and if they want I can put the brightness down. But you don’t need to go to Las Vegas or Paris to see bright signs – signs all over the world are like that,” ended Frankie Grima.

Are you excited for Burgers.Ink in Valletta?

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]