The launch of a new Buckfast burger in Irvine is proving to be just the tonic for fast food fans.
The gourmet delight - a chunky handmade, lean a steak burger drenched in a light marinade Buckfast barbecue sauce and served on a brioche bun with onion rings, cheese, salad and sweet chilli layer - went on sale at Bourtreehill Supermarket's in-house Quinns Hot Food Kitchen on Wednesday.
And hungry lunchers - including Irvine Herald reporter Eric McGowan - were soon queuing up to sample the culinary version of the controversial tonic wine.
Among the first to sink their teeth into one were roofers Kenny McDonald and Marc Orr of Kilmarnock.
Kenny said: "I'm more of a Mad Dog man myself, but Ive got to say this is a cracking burger.
"I love the sauce. It's tangy and something a little bit different.
Marc agreed, nodding: "Aye it's guid" in between wolfing into his packed bun.
Supermarket boss Imran Ali cooked up the the idea after taking delivery of 60 bottles of Buckfast BBQ sauce - a new condiment launched by Rendall's butchers and booze distributors J Chandler.
But it's not simply been a case of making a fast buck out the Buckfast name.
Imran has gone to great lengths to unsure only the very best ingredients go into making the burger.
He said: "We already do a really good lean burger from Quinns of Dreghorn so this was just a new idea to try a gourmet-style one.
"I asked Stevie Quinn the butcher if he'd make a special hand made lean burger for us and then I pitched the idea to Chloe our kitchen manager.
"We field tested it with our staff and it passed with flying colours. They all loved it.
"It's worked out a lot better than we thought. It's a really high quality sauce.
"I sold out the six cases I got in originally so I had to go back up to Glasgow to get another 10.
"Even if you don't like Buckfast or barbecue sauce it's a winner."
Irvine Herald reporter Eric McGowan gave the product a big thumbs up.
He said: "I must be one of the few people left in Scotland who've never tried Buckfast so I didn't know what to expect.
"Not only does the burger look great, it also tastes great. The sauce has a wee kick to it and it's definitely something I'd try using at home."
