Sheikh Haikel’s ‘secret menu’ is a hedonistic experience

SINGAPORE — So, you already know that rapper Sheikh Haikel opened up a FatPapas Burgers and Shakes eatery, the first halal offshoot of Fatboy’s The Burger Bar.

But what you might not know is that Haikel, 42, has a secret menu at his new burger joint.

The man is heavily involved in the business, which sees lines forming from the moment it opens at 5pm, and stays busy until it closes at 11pm. The wait can be as long as three hours.

Haikel stands by the door, managing the crowd and welcoming people.

“Yo, bro!” he booms in his larger-than-life style, greeting passers-by. He shoots the breeze with those waiting for tables, laughing at inside jokes — even at his own expense. He flashes a peace sign with to a neighbouring store owner drifting down Bali Lane, where FatPapas is located.

But he drops his voice suddenly.

“Hey,” he whispers into his walkie-talkie, which is linked to a system for servers on the second floor. “Any chance of getting a table soon?” he asks them. “There are people waiting down here.”

He turns to you and says: “I’m always worried when the line doesn’t move. People are hangry.”

But back to that secret menu, which Haikel presents to the people he personally seats. Secret menus are beloved all over the world, from In-N-Out Burger, to Starbucks. But perhaps none but Haikel present it this manner. “Everything about me has to be a performance,” he says.

Thus, he asks you as he walks you to your table whether you know what you want to order — then cuts you off as you begin to reply.

“I’m going to screw you up now,” he says, before launching into a rap-like, rhythmic spiel.

“Aight, check this out! My secret menu contains two burgers. The first burger is a Country Fried Sheikh Burger. That burger consists of a bun, mashed potato, fries, bacon, and a piece of country fried steak and sauce,” he rattles. In fact, it also contains yet another piece of country fried steak, more bacon, and more sauce.

“If you’re going out after this, please don’t do it,” he says.

“The second burger I have is called Beef Ucken. That’s because it’s got a beef patty, turkey bacon, and fried chicken. This one comes with jalapeno, sun dried tomatoes, cheddar cheese, and nice, smoked chipotle sauce.”

Getting into the groove, he lists an array of fries — and on the secret menu, “I’ve got Disco Fries, which are fries with brown sauce and melted cheddar cheese. I’ve got Groovy Fries, fries with brown sauce and cheese sauce”.

He goes on to tell you that there is a salted egg chilli chicken dish as well.

Haikel’s secret menu — the burgers are S$22, the special fries are S$7, and the chicken dish is S$11.50 — is bound to grow bigger as FatPapas expands, says his business partner, Bernie Tay, the owner of the Fatboy’s franchise.

“Haikel has the imagination,” said Tay, who adds that the plan is to take FatPapas into Malaysia and Indonesia. Tay and Haikel intend to extend hours for Ramadan, which begins in late May, to provide services for those who want to take home food to break fast with their families.

The two are also looking at other spaces here to open another burger shop. The success of FatPapas, which opened in February, is down to Haikel’s philosophy — that he is providing an option for good halal food to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

“These are my people we are feeding,” he says. “Breaking bread together is special. Food makes blood.”

In the meantime, if you visit FatPapas, here’s another secret: Do not be afraid to ask for extra sauce — no charge, says Haikel.

“In fact, I’ll encourage you to drink it, it’s that good,” he says. That is just the kind of guy he is.

FatPapas Burgers and Shakes is at 17 Bali Lane. Tel: 6291 8028.

Other celeb restaurants are a-plenty. But these are two recently-opened ventures. TODAY spoke to the celebrities to get them to talk about their own secret offerings.

MOJO: THE LONGEST HAPPY HOUR

Going by his latest project, actor Shane Pow doesn’t do things in half measures — the first-time F&B entrepreneur fulfilled his dream of owning a cafe-restaurant in February by launching not one, but two dining concepts. But together with chef-partner Sean Lim of Sin Lee Foods fame, Pow has cleverly merged both concepts in one eatery.

By day, Mojo, located smack in the CBD, serves grilled protein bowls and juices. At night, the 50-seater space transforms into a trendy izakaya, serving yakitori, tapas and cocktails.

“I’ve always been interested in F&B but I don’t have the time nor expertise to run one,” Pow said. “Mojo, which is a slang word for ‘magic’, is Sean’s brainchild and I tagged along. But I also contribute ideas. We talk almost every day and discuss restaurant operations, new dishes and so on.”

Creative offerings are Ooh-Ma-Me ($20), a Japanese-style Bloody Mary that has togarashi powder around the rim of the glass, and a Foie Gras Chahan ($18), which is fried quinoa topped with rich, unctuous foie gras.

Disclosing that they are definitely looking to launch new outlets in the future, Pow offered a pro-tip for diners: “We have one of the longest Happy Hours in Singapore. Our weekday Happy Hour is from 11.30am to 9pm and on the weekend, it starts from 3pm and ends at midnight!”

CELEB CHOICE: Uni Soba ($38) is one of Pow’s favourite items on Mojo’s menu. Visually stunning, the bowl comprises green tea soba topped with deep yellow-orange uni, translucent hotate and delicate ikura and ebi.

Mojo is at 204 Telok Ayer St. Tel: 6220 0723.

BREWLANDER: BE QUICK TO DRINK IT

Who knew radio DJ-turned-serial F&B entrepreneur Daniel Ong could be so emotional? Case in point: the co-founder of craft beer label Brewlander has named the first four creations Hope (a summer ale), Pride (a Saison), Love (an IPA) and Courage (a Double IPA).

Ong teamed up with Amazing Race Asia host Allan Wu, and award-winning home brewer John Wei, to launch what is billed as Singapore’s first gypsy brewery (a brewery that “borrows” the facilities of a counterpart to produce its beers).

Developed by Wei, the label’s concoctions are made in a facility in Phnom Penh, Cambodia — for now.

“Our two-year plan is to start, own and operate our own brewery in Singapore and distribute our beers Asia-wide ourselves,” Ong said.

The beers are available at dining outlets and bars such as Alchemy Bistro, Good Luck Beerhouse, Thirsty Craft Beer Shop as well as Ong’s own eateries Mischief and Rookery. Regionally, it is available in Hong Kong, Taipei and Cambodia.

If you want to try any of the beers, be quick as all stocks of the label’s first production run have been snapped up by distributors, who say the beers are moving fast, said Ong. He attributes this to “John’s cult status in the local brewing scene”, and disclosed that Brewlander will soon be launching three more variants.

CELEB CHOICE: “My personal favourite is Love ($9.50 per 330ml bottle),” Ong said. “It has a creamy mouth feel and a burst of pineapple and mango.”

Find out more at www.brewlander.wordpress.com

Additional reporting by Therese Tay