So I’ve had a few burgers this year and visited a number of fantastic and not so fantastic purveyors of burgery goodness. In fact, I’ve blogged about and rated about 64 Different burgers throughout 2014! Hmm, no wonder I put on a few pounds.
Well lets have a little bit of a retrospective shall we. I’ve put together a little highlights package so to speak, of the year, with some of my favourite burgers, and some of the absolute disasters.
Lets start with the best of 2014:
Stout – 1544 N Cahuenga Blvd Hollywood, LA, USA
One of my all time favourite burgers. A hot day in LA spent exploring the sites – this was an amazing burger. A patty that is hand ground each day from a selection of grass feed Angus beef, Brisket and Chuck cuts with Blue Cheese, Emi Gruyere, Rosemary Bacon, Caramelized Onion, Horseradish Cream, Roasted Tomatoes. At the time I gave it a 9.5, I’m not sure if I should have given it a 10
Rockpool Bar and Grill – Crown Complex Southbank
Chris and I went back for lunch here recently and had the burger again. It had lost none of it lustre. It was still an amazing burger from start to finish. Everything about it was quality. I particularly love their house made Pickles.
Tuckshop Takeaway, 273 Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield North VIC
I’ve since gone back to Tuck shop and again this is a burger that continues to perform. One of the best going around without a doubt. Their sodas and milk shakes are unbelievable as well. At the time I gave it a 9, but honestly it’s a good as the others in it’s own way.
Spotted Mallard, 314 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC
This burger calls out to me. It’s the burger I always want to go back for but haven’t gotten around to just yet. I didn’t have a ranking system in place at the time, but I’d say it would have been at least an 8.5 possibly a 9. I just loved their sauce and the bun.
This was one of the first burgers on the hunt. I still recall this burger, everything was fresh and delicious. A quality burger through and though. I loved the stereo sauce, and the name – the Double Ralph! Again, no ratings system at the time, but it’s up there close to a 9.
Nevermind, Awesome Bar and Eatery – 927 E. Cape Coral Pkwy, Cape Coral, FL – USA
When I think bacon cheeseburger – this is what I think of. Amazing burger that I had in the states off the back of a tip from a waiter.
Three Crowns Hotel – 365 Victoria St West Melbourne – VIC
Another place I’ve been to a couple of times now. It’s help up to repeat visits and I think it’s gotten even better. A quality American style burger!
Trunk Bar and Restaurant – 275 Exhibition St, Melbourne
This burger was a little silly – I ordered a double but had to take the extra patty out just to eat it. Once again, quality ingredients from start to finish make for a quality burger. It’s not rocket science! I gave this an 8.5 at the time.
Chew Burger – 147 Plenty Rd Preston – VIC
A really solid burger up in the northern part of town. Another Damo suggestion. Great value as well – I gave it an 8.5 at the time and I’d be back.
Racks Ribs Co. – 680A Glen Huntly Road Caulfield South – VIC
I’ve been back to this place a couple of times and ordered the Sow and Cow – which is the normal amazing burger plus rib meat. Quality burger. I think I gave it an 8.5 at the time, but the addition of the rib meat really worked.
Merricks General Wine Store – 3460 Frankston-Flinders Rd Merricks VIC
A recent burger, but a damn good one. Every ingredient was top quality – that’s all you need for burger goodness.
The not so great burgers:
This was gross – just gross. The squid ink and bamboo charcoal bun, the weird black sauce and the black shiny cheese. No thank you.
The Elsternwick Hotel – 259 Brighton Rd, Elwood “The Wick”
The food here is much much better than it used to be. At the time, this was one of the worst burgers going around. These day’s it’s fairly edible (But probably still a 4.5 – 5)
Heads & Tails – 112 Ormond Rd Elwood Elwood – VIC
A terrible effort from a local fish and chip shop. Stale, burnt bun that fell apart. Not a great experience. If you want a good fish and chip shop burger you should go to:
Tommy Ruff – Shop 3/1-3 Carre St Elsternwick VIC, or Old Salt – 246 Bay St, Port Melbourne VIC
Beer Deluxe – 329 Burwood Rd Hawthorn – VIC
One of the worst burgers looks deceptively good… 3.5 Worst patties ever. I felt sick for 12hrs!
Final Thoughts
Anyway, it’s been an amazing year of Burger adventuring. I’ve had some great burger experiences on three different continents. I’ve also eaten a lot of overrated burgers! However I do think that I’ve found some of Victoria’s best burgers. Hope you have enjoyed coming along on the hunt with me.
Special thanks go out to the team –
- Damo, who came along from the start and made so many fine suggestions. In fact, most of the good burgers were his suggestion…
- Jo, who helped out and offered some sage words of burger wisdom. And put up with my burger ramblings.
- Chris, who enjoyed some of the highs and lows of the burger experience and who provided the idea for the Heaston cook off.
- And finally, Katie, who put up with all my burger madness throughout the year.
Hope you all had a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
This blog is great! Will make use of the recommendations and avoid the average ones. Keep up the good work.