The London burger joint opened in Leicester Square this week, with many on social media automatically assuming it's the original UAE chain. Photo: salt_ldn / Instagram
The London burger joint opened in Leicester Square this week, with many on social media automatically assuming it's the original UAE chain. Photo: salt_ldn / Instagram
The London burger joint opened in Leicester Square this week, with many on social media automatically assuming it's the original UAE chain. Photo: salt_ldn / Instagram
The London burger joint opened in Leicester Square this week, with many on social media automatically assuming it's the original UAE chain. Photo: salt_ldn / Instagram

Lifestyle

Salt burger in London is not the original Dubai food truck, confirms UAE company

Leicester Square outpost has replicated popular dish names and the food truck's logo

Panna Munyal
Panna Munyal

May 20, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

Home-grown burger joint Salt is often described as the UAE's first and original food truck. But the company has confirmed to The National that it has no connection to the version launched in London's Leicester Square.

It is not the first restaurant to replicate the popular burger chain's name. While the original does have a branch in Qatar, a separate copycat version opened in Doha in 2005. That same enterprise has now taken "Salt" to London.

Overlapping names are not unusual in the restaurant business. However, the London outpost of Salt – like its counterpart in Doha – not only mirrors the UAE chain's name, but also its famed monochromatic packaging. Its Instagram logo is also the same as the original Salt's social page.

The London restaurant shares similarities with Salt UAE in terms of its packaging and offerings. Photo: salt_ldn / Instagram
The London restaurant shares similarities with Salt UAE in terms of its packaging and offerings. Photo: salt_ldn / Instagram

Further, the Leicester Square restaurant lists sliders as its USP and some of the dish names are exactly the same as Salt UAE, from the Chicken Cheetos and Hook sliders to the Fire fries.

Salt was launched by Emirati entrepreneur Amal Al Marri and her Saudi business partner Deem Al Bassam in Dubai in 2014.

It is widely credited for changing the pop-up scene with its #FindSalt premise. Foodies, who came to be known as "Salters", had to follow the brand’s social media in order to find the rolling food truck's location on Kite Beach and were rewarded for their efforts with signature shakes and sliders.

The Kite Beach branch has since become permanent and Salt has also opened outposts across the Emirates as well as in Saudi Arabia. The brand continues to put on creative pop-ups, including recent iterations at Museum of the Future and Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Seating at the Salt Camp pop-up at Louvre Abu Dhabi. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Seating at the Salt Camp pop-up at Louvre Abu Dhabi. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
A painting of George Washington cut out as a photo opportunity spot in one of eight tents
A painting of George Washington cut out as a photo opportunity spot in one of eight tents
Visitors can paint and draw graffiti on a camel statue
Visitors can paint and draw graffiti on a camel statue
Activities such as sand art are on offer for children
Activities such as sand art are on offer for children
The pop-up's theme is Art Has Left The Frame, as shown literally on the tables
The pop-up's theme is Art Has Left The Frame, as shown literally on the tables
Tropical display as a tribute to Frida Kahlo
Tropical display as a tribute to Frida Kahlo
Tribute to Banksy
Tribute to Banksy
A projection of Vincent Van Gogh's The Starry Night
A projection of Vincent Van Gogh's The Starry Night
The core with outdoor seating at Salt Camp, Louvre Abu Dhabi
The core with outdoor seating at Salt Camp, Louvre Abu Dhabi
A projection of Osman Hamdi Bey's A Young Emir Studying
A projection of Osman Hamdi Bey's A Young Emir Studying
The park is open from noon to 11:30pm
The park is open from noon to 11:30pm

The Salt Camp in the capital was particularly noteworthy. Themed The Art has Left the Frame, the al fresco venue was made up of food trucks and rows of bright pink tents, each housing quirky interpretations of works by famous artists, including Vincent van Gogh and Banksy.

The National contacted Salt London for comment.

Studying addiction

This month, Dubai Medical College launched the Middle East’s first master's programme in addiction science.

Together with the Erada Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation, the college offers a two-year master’s course as well as a one-year diploma in the same subject.

The move was announced earlier this year and is part of a new drive to combat drug abuse and increase the region’s capacity for treating drug addiction.

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By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

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Amitav Ghosh, University of Chicago Press

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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

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The Saga Continues

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(36 Chambers / Entertainment One)

While you're here
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
  • Drones
  • Animals
  • Fireworks/ flares
  • Radios or power banks
  • Laser pointers
  • Glass
  • Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
  • Sharp objects
  • Political flags or banners
  • Bikes, skateboards or scooters
What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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Kabir Singh

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Directed by: Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Suresh Oberoi, Soham Majumdar, Arjun Pahwa

Rating: 2.5/5 

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Updated: May 20, 2024, 2:40 PM`
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