Burger with the lot, The Seafood Shak (150 Scotchmer Street, North Fitzroy)
Fish ‘n’ chip shop burgers are always good. They’ve got just the right amount of grease, they don’t cost a lot and you don’t have to change out of your trackies to go get one. The burgers at the Seafood Shak are easily the best fish ‘n’ chip shop burger in Melbourne, if not the best overall. If you can, try and get them made by the owner Con; he puts so much time into making sure everything is neatly stacked and balanced. But if you’re going to grab a burger, make sure you get a couple of pumpkin cakes on the side, they’ll blow your mind.
The Tramway, The Tramway Hotel (165 Rae Street, North Fitzroy)
If you’re looking to go out for a meal, The Tramway is perfect. Since re-opening, they’ve put on a new chef and a whole new burger menu. The burgers are creative but not too fancy, with your choice of chicken, beef, lamb, salmon and even a mushroom burger for the vegos. But you can’t go past The Tramway to start with, which is packed with a char-grilled beef patty, onion, cheese, tomato, lettuce and topped with home-made chutney. They all come with crispy home-made chips as well.
Blue cheese burger, La Niche (67 Smith Street, Fitzroy)
If you’re looking for a few beers and a meal in the sun, the backyard at La Niche provides the perfect setting. In addition to a good atmosphere and friendly staff, they’ve also got a burger that will literally melt in your mouth. I’ve found that the blue cheese itself is a bit overpowering but you can swap that for a nice chunk of Brie. It’s served on a wooden chopping board with seasoned roast spuds and a delicious dressing, which will give you the energy you need to keep drinking.
Mustard & Pickled!, Grill’d (350 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy)
There’s a reason Grill’d is so popular – their burger menu is creative and the burgers themselves are frickin’ delicious. There’s also something for all tastes and dietary requirements with a variety of fillings, breads and condiments. While the Moroccan Lamb is a close second, I can’t go past the Mustard & Pickled! It tingles the taste buds and doesn’t exceed the $10 mark.
The Bogan Burger, The Napier Hotel (Napier Street)
Make sure you’ve got a big appetite before tackling this one. Steak, chicken schnitzel, onion, cheese, beetroot, potato cake, bacon, lettuce, tomato and a salad and wedges on the side. If you even think about food after getting through this one, I’ll be very impressed.
