I tried Glasgow pub's Xmas dinner burger and I was in awe

You see, the burger has always been a go-to for me.

I could head to some faraway restaurant for a day trip and not like the majority of the menu. The burger is always the safe bet.

Now, I don't consider myself particularly 'quirky,' but I do have a certain weird rule I live by when it comes to burgers.

Somewhat of a mantra. An etiquette. A decree.

The pre-match picture with candy cane and what I received, minus the candy cane (Image: Tom Grant)

I refuse to slice up my burger with a knife and fork and, not to overcook how seriously I take this code, I will die on this hill.

For me, it's got to be eaten with my hands, the way it was designed to be put away.

That’s not to say this life statute hasn’t been without its challenges.

I once refrained from operating on a macaroni cheese burger in Las Vegas despite the odds of safe consumption very much against me, much to my and my burger’s demise.

Whether this is an ego thing or some misplaced sense of masculinity, I'm not sure.

I feared I would have to break my rule of not using a knife and fork with a burger (Image: Tom Grant)

But all I know is whatever iteration of burger is in front of me, it will be munched from hand to mouth.

So, you can forgive the predicament I faced when Bloc's 'Turkey Sando' was placed in front of me, the waitress giving me a 'good luck pal' kind of look.

You see this festive menu addition - a pre-match picture telling me comes accompanied with a Christmas candy cane - has been drawing more than just students to the Bath Street boozer.

There are many food challenges across Glasgow's hospitality sector but this one might just be the Mount Everest of them all, both in terms of conquering and the aesthetics.

With a double beef patty, turkey, sprouts, sage and onion stuffing, pigs in blanket, tatters tots, cranberry and sriracha sauce and gravy on the side, I was lucky I hadn’t eaten all morning as I arrived at around midday on a damp Friday afternoon.

When I asked how many calories this feast in front of me contained, I was met with a just response; “You probably don’t want to know.’

Finished without breaking my golden rule (Image: Tom Grant)

Undeterred if just a little unnerved, I began trying to plot together how I was going to consume this fare without breaking my golden rule.

Before I even reached the top bun, a well-placed skewer I was sure was holding this tower in place contained a pig in blanket, stuffing, a sprout and a small roast potato. A nice touch. I swiftly tucked these away with my hands like the Neanderthal I am.

One thing I quickly noticed hadn’t arrived with my ‘Sando’ was the pre-mentioned candy cane, a sad absentee.

However, being conscious I am approaching 40, I opted against raising my displeasure at my lack of treat with the staff.

With the skewer removed and a good squish of the ingredients contained between the Brioche buns, I set about dismantling the grub – with my hands.

The burger meat was cooked just right, with a festive party kicking off on my tastebuds thanks to the turkey and another ingredient that took me by surprise.

I’m not a cranberry sauce fan, and even when it’s wrapped up as a jam, it’s a no for me.

However, I had no choice on this occasion as the cranberry and sriracha sauce were pre-added to the burger and in all honesty, I loved it.

My only criticism was it left the gravy side a little bit redundant, my reluctance to add a new ingredient to the already fairytale of tastes leaving me no choice but to exile it from the meal.

All in all, a flavoursome Christmas belly-filler, one that needs to be tackled on an empty stomach and at £14.95, may stretch the wallet of those accustomed to Bloc's lesser-priced regular menu items.

But trust me when I say, for the 15 bucks, you won't be eating for the rest of the day. So consider that when worrying if it is worth the expense.

If that is too much food, there is also the £11.95 Bah Humpig, a Yorkshire pudding filled with pigs in blankets, more tatter tots, sage and onion stuffing, onion gravy, that cranberry and sriracha sauce (yum!) and cubed mozzarella.

And one, surprisingly, that can be completed without the requirement for me to break my golden rule.