With the rise and steady continuance of food mash-ups (like cheesecakes on sticks, spaghetti doughnuts, the croclair and those infamous freakshakes) it’s likely you’ve already stumbled across several insanely topped burgers on your Instagram feed. With additions ranging from deep-fried mac-and-cheese to fries and terrifying amounts of cheese, the boundaries of what is appropriate on a burger have ceased to exist. We’ve rounded up five over-the-top signature burgers for Durbanites to enjoy.

Later this year we’ll be announcing the restaurant that will take home the title of 2017 Eat Out Savanna Best Burger Eatery. Cast your vote now by reviewing your favourite burger joint, and you could win Savanna Premium Cider for a year!

Freedom Café (Greyville)
Chef Olivier Roellinger says life’s purpose is to expand one’s horizons and that’s clear from the burger selection here. You can get one with guacamole, one with chakalaka, or even a pulled-pork burger topped with rainbow coleslaw. The winner, though, has to be the kimchi mayo beef burger. The hefty patty comes topped with a generous helping of caramelised onions and Freedom Café’s unique kimchi mayonnaise, all crowned with a sesame-dotted bun. The fries are flavoured with furikake, a Japanese seasoning made with sesame seeds, chopped seaweed, dried fish and salt. Get it for R85.

Republik (Durban North)
The pride and joy here is the Republik 6.0 (R85). This intimidating burger comes with a 180g pure-beef patty (that was free to roam, fed on grass, and free of antibiotics and hormones) topped with bacon, a cheesy risotto, chilli-chocolate sauce and rocket. We’re almost scared to know what the 7.0 will look like.

A post shared by RepubliK Durban (@republikdbn) on May 28, 2017 at 11:06pm PDT

S43 (Morningside)

This vibey spot’s offering is the Durban Burger. It comes with the coastal flavours of spiced pineapple, crisped smoky bacon and mature cheddar. All these ingredients are stacked atop a free-range beef patty before being drizzled with Island-style dressing. Served with a brioche bun and house-made potato wedges, this one rings in at R105.

A post shared by S43-hometothatbrewingco (@s43_hometothatbrewingco) on Oct 28, 2015 at 12:56pm PDT

Smokin’ Joes (Berea)
The Smokin’ Joe Burger is not to be messed with. The 120g beef patty comes with a jalapeño- and cream-cheese sauce, a slice of cheese, roasted rosa tomatoes, caramelised onions and some tomato sauce, plus the restaurant’s secret sauce and a portion of the signature fries. (R65, or R80 for a double patty)

Union Square (Durban North)
The El Mexicano Burger (R80) is petite but packs a punch. The 150g smashed beef patty is cooked on the grill before being topped with nachos, jalapeños, red onions, crispy bacon and melted aged cheddar. Have it with fries or tangy coleslaw.

The El Mexicano burger at Union Square. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Review your favourite burger joint and you could win a year’s supply of Savanna Premium Cider

This month, one lucky Eat Out reader can win a case of Savanna Premium Cider for a year – that’s a case a month, for 12 months!

To enter, all you need to do is write a review of your favourite burger joint. Do it now.