Bengaluru’s Leon’s arrives in Chennai with its OG smash burger

If you have lived in Bengaluru or passed through it, chances are you have heard of the legend of Leon’s. When it landed in Bengaluru in 2015, it became a go-to for broke college kids and burger purists at a time when the city was still flirting with its gourmet burger scene. Now, the same classic brand has opened its first outlet in Chennai. 

The interiors are very classic Leon’s—casual, unfussy, the kind that screams, “come as you are.” The only addition is the framed Chennai cityscape that informs you that you are still in Tamil Nadu and not magically transported to Bengaluru.  

Surrounded by a very Gen Z crowd (the kind that knows exactly what to order without looking at the menu), we begin our meal with Falafel fries in garlic sauce. It comes piping hot: smashed falafel topped with homemade chilli garlic sauce. The falafel is crunchy enough to reassure you that it was freshly fried. 

All American smash burger.
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Next comes the Louisiana chicken burger, a simple, reliable, comforting, the after-college, late evening kind of burger that does not do much to impress with just onion, lettuce, cheese, and a chicken patty. We then order the OG Smash Burger, which comes with a pillowy brioche bun and two smashed chicken patties, caramelised onion, and lots of cheese (dont worry, nobody is judging your slippery burger struggle). With caramelised onion and plenty of cheese, it is hearty, savoury and sweet enough to keep you going.

What is a burger without fries? Here, the burgers come with V- Crispers and an addictive creamy mayo dip. Only if I could reach out and have an unlimited supply of those crispy fries. 

While the menu remains the same, Chennai has its new additions. “Our menu is designed to appeal to Chennai’s love for spice, comfort food, and quality dining. For Chennai, we have also introduced boba lattes,” says the founders.

While I focus on the non-vegetarian side of the menu, my friends jump to the vegetarian side with a veggie supreme burger. Here is where it turns out to be a little dull .

While most burger joints nail the meat, the real test is the vegetarian burgers. Most burger joints opt for a patty that tastes more like a ‘veg cutlet’, and so does Leon’s. The patty is soggy, lacks flavour, and the jalapeño sauce is what rescues it. 

We also order the veg pizza pockets— deep-fried dough stuffed with saucy veggies. Is it indulgent? Absolutely? Should you order it? Only if the cheat day is having a cheat day.

Biriyani bowls
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In 2025, India is hell bent on turning everything into Biriyani. Leon’s also jumps onto the bandwagon with chicken popcorn biriyani, chicken doner biriyani, and paneer popcorn biriyani. Apart from that, the menu also features hot and spicy chicken wings in three different flavours, veg and non-veg pita breads, wraps and salads. The drinks menu is packed with everything from classic mojitos to mango lemonade–though I would suggest the only way you should gulp down a burger is with a side of chilled Coke. 

Leon’s is not fancy, and it does not pretend to be– if you know how to order correctly, it hits the right notes. 

Leon’s is at 4th Avenue, AC Block, Anna Nagar. A meal for two is priced at priced at ₹ 1000.