Ask any group of true Melbournians what their favorite burger is and you will most likely spark a debate more intense than Victorian Parliament budget discussions. Those lacking taste buds and class may say Grill’d, or even worse, Hungry Jack’s. Those that respect their mouth and have respect for their city will only have two possible responses. The question of who has the “best burger” in Melbourne is between Andrew’s Hamburgers and Danny’s Takeaway. Thus presenting the burger wars.
VS.
Round 1: The Venue Andrew’s is located in Albert Park, a quaint suburb that has the feel of small fishing town. Although it is just a few minutes from the city, I arrived feeling a million miles away. The service is nothing short of amazing. The staff is passionate about serving up the best burgers in a timely manner. Even better, the owner works along side his employees and manages to keep a giant smile during the lunch rush. Without any seats, however, finding a place to eat can be a challenge.
Danny’s sits in North Fitzroy, a hipster area with an eclectic ambience. Unlike Andrew’s, Danny’s has a handful of bar stools in order to enjoy the feast sitting. This burger joint is no-nonsense. Come in, order, take a seat, and try not to annoy anyone. Is a burger spot a place to make friends or a place to eat grilled meat?
Round 2: The Chips (fries) It is a well known fact burgers are best with chips. At each place, chips must be ordered separately. Andrew’s chips are rather expensive and fall on the stale side. And with no ketchup in sight, the cardboard sticks get in the way of the burger. Danny’s, on the other hand, serves up a dish of perfectly seasoned chips. What’s more, a never-ending bottle of cold ketchup sits only an arm’s length away.
Round 3: The Burger To make the judging fair I ordered the same type of burger at each place. This means ordering a burger with the lot. A bored farmer must have invented the lot. It consists of tomato, lettuce, onion, bacon, and egg. It has become a necessity on all burgers.
Danny’s burger was impressive. Less the burnt onions, the burger had it all: a modest size, a reasonable price, and toppings that complimented the patty. All in all, though, it could not stand up to its superior.
Danny’s Burger
Winner: Andrew’s Hamburgers Andrew’s burger serves up a TKO of flavor explodability. Each bite is as much an adventure as getting to the place. It is messy, it is monstrous, and it put me in a burger coma.
Andrew’s Burger
Eating the burger on a park bench in beautiful Albert Park is not to be missed. I came hungry, excited, and skeptical about the “best burger” in Melbourne. I left with grease on my pants, ketchup on my shirt, and a crazy combination of burger related intoxication/unconsciousness.
