SOMETIMES only a burger will do. And I am not talking flaccid fast food here, but a big thick juicy number that takes two hands to hold and a jaw extension to bite into.

It seems the folk at TGI Friday’s feel the same, as they have just launched a new burger menu which has been 18 months in the making.

TGI Friday’s head chef Terry McDowell travelled around the world and sampled over 300 burgers on his mission to find the ultimate burger combinations. Must have been a tough job.

The results of his mission have now made it onto the chain’s menus. With a group of friends, I headed off to the Basildon branch to sample this new fare.

Greeted and seated by our ever cheerful waitress Sam, who also did a neat side line in balloon modelling, we perused the burger menu over drinks.

With a fair number on offer it was no surprise the four of us each chose something different.

The husband plumped for the Texan Wild Boar burger which, much like its animal namesake had a frisky little kick thanks to the chilli. Served with a tempering apple compote, it was devoured with delight.

Across the table beef was on the menu for our friends, firstly in the shape of the Jack Daniel’s soused burger and secondly in the classic, which did exactly what it said on the tin. Both were well received, judging by the empty plates.

The French Canadian caught my eye. The chicken was moist and had been brushed with maple syrup to add a slightly sweet taste.

The chicken was then topped with crispy bacon and oozing brie cheese. The addition of raw red onion overpowered the initial mouthful, but once removed from the bun, the more subtle flavours had a chance to shine.

I also plumped for the thick, crispy sweet potato fries, which had a delicious a soft fluffy centre and made a nice change from French fries – but they were a tad overseasoned for my taste.

We may not have spent 18 months searching for the perfect burger, but for four hungry diners these new additions to the menu were pretty damn good nonetheless.