Print

    Food Review: Jessie's, Islamabad

    Jessies Burger Restaurant Islamabad

    Written by: Zainab Hasan
    Posted on: March 21, 2017 | | 中文

    The trendy grey interior at Jessie's

    Jessie’s is a new burger joint tucked away in the recesses of the sprawling Bhitai Road in Sector F-7, Islamabad. Headed by a trio of foodies, Yawar Siddiqui and brothers Yasir Jaswal and Uzair Jaswal, this place has managed to win countless hearts by word of mouth in a matter of weeks.

    “Since as long as I can remember, I have wanted to run a restaurant”, says Yasir. “This is all thanks to our parents, who have been hosting dinners for our huge family since we were little. In order to pass on and share this love of food, we decided to open a burger joint in Islamabad.”

    The menu - Jessies Burger Restaurant Islamabad

    The menu

    The ambiance at Jessie's is casual and inviting, making it an ideal place to unwind after a long day. The trendy grey interior, with subdued yellow lights and snug booths, offers the perfect respite from the busy streets of F-7. Incoming customers are greeted by bare wood tables and floors, hanging light bulbs and an open bar. Expansive French windows run alongside a beautiful balcony, offering an enjoyable view for guests sitting outside.

    Currently there are five types of burgers on the menu, most of them loaded with at least five toppings each. With a burger so heavily stacked, the challenge is to make each layer stand out, while still complementing all the other ingredients. And this is precisely what Jessie’s has achieved. ‘Jessie’s Classic Beef’ lands a magnificent beefy punch, with cheddar cheese melting on a six-ounce beef patty accompanied by lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles in a special sauce. The bun is incredibly soft, yet firm enough to hold the ingredients in place. The pickles offer plenty of flavour without being too sour, and the sharp cheddar cheese blends perfectly with the juicy patty. Now imagine having this burger with a Strawberry Banana Milkshake. This combination is to die for! The ‘Ain’t No Burger without the Shake’ menu offers a number of other flavours as well, including Chocolate Ice Cream Shake.

    'The Grande'! - Jessies Burger Restaurant Islamabad

    'The Grande'!

    Another burger that deserves a mention is ‘The Grande’: a seven-ounce prime beef patty topped with two slices of cheddar, turkey bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and a special beef gravy sauce served over a bed of caramelized onions. The bacon adds a smoky flavour, without overpowering the beef patty. Enclosed in a butter-toasted Pain de Mie bun, this makes for a truly satisfying burger, both in terms of quantity and taste. The thick-cut house-made fries that come with the burger combos are perfectly seasoned, crisp, and in generous quantity. Remember to try them with the hot sauce, which adds significantly to their flavour.

    All these savory dishes left me craving a light dessert to finish off my meal, and so I ended up having Jessie’s special cheesecake. Light, fluffy and baked to perfection, this one is going to win over even the most discerning cheesecake enthusiasts.

    Stunning artwork on one of the interior walls - Jessies Burger Restaurant Islamabad

    Stunning artwork on one of the interior walls

    Jessie’s is yet another promising addition to the capital’s fast-changing culinary landscape, which manages to stand out despite fierce competition from the abundance of eateries that seem to be opening up in the city every week. Kudos to this team of young entrepreneurs for taking the initiative and sharing their love of food with us!


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021