this post is filed under Cuisine - American, Location - Sydney

Well, I've started my last semester of school at BU. I just got back to Boston, and after being away from my apartment for 7 or so months, I'm finally starting to get settled back in.

One of my first weekends in Sydney was spent doing something very typically Australian: surfing! Even though I grew up in California, I'd actually never gone surfing before. I guess I do live in the non-surfer part of Cali. Anyway, over in Australia I signed up for a weekend surf camp. Although I only managed to get up on my board for seconds at a time before wiping out completely back into the water, I had a ton of fun. More importantly for the site - on our drive over to surf camp, we stopped at this little place off the highway that claims to have Sydney's best burgers. Paul's Famous Hamburgers are supposedly known nationwide - at the very least, this article in the Sydney Morning Herald proclaims it one of the 50 foodie things to do.

the works burger - A$6.2

You guys will never guess the standard toppings in an Australian burger. There, "the works" means cheese, ham, a slice of beetroot, a slice of pineapple, and a fried egg. Yeah, pretty weird, huh? I was intrigued, and of course I had to order it. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed. There is a beef patty underneath that pile there, somewhere. The burger itself was ordinary at best - neither the meat nor the bun came close to the quality you can get back in America. As for the toppings... well, they were okay, but I wouldn't be in a rush to order the works again. I prefer sauteed mushrooms and onions...

Later, I saw that beetroot was absolutely standard on Australian burgers, and no different than lettuce or onion or tomato. It's actually a pretty good burger topping, as it adds a nice refreshing element with a bit of tang. The egg and pineapple, while almost always available, didn't come standard. I didn't have too many burgers in Sydney, as I quickly discovered they aren't nearly as good there as they are back home. There are at least some things Americans still do best. :)

Comments

G'day Arthur,

Stumbled onto your site, nice indeed. In regards to the burger you had at Paul's, I would agree it didn't look nice plus from your description doesn't sound nice either! But there's a misconception that all burgers in Australia come with beetroot as standard which is weird, cos i've lived here most of my life and don't come across it that often, i think it is only applicable to burger's you order that is defined as the "Aussie Burger" but its a bit extreme to say that all burgers here have beetroot.
I do agree the USA have nice burgers, I remember a very nice one i had in Manhattan at a place called Burger Joint at the ground level of a hotel (whose name i have forgotton - i got pics somewhere), it was awesome! and they only served Hamburgers or Cheeseburgers on the menu! and there was a long queue! not a lot of toppings but the beef pattie was to die for :)
BTW haven't been to Paul's Famous Hamburgers i'm from Perth - but will try next time i'm in Sydney to see what the hoo ha is about.

Anyways happy eating!

Cheers,
Zach

posted by Zach on January 24, 2006 11:46 PM

Hi Arthur!

I was talking with some Australians last night who were raving about Vegemite, but they said they never knew any foreigners who liked it. I'm dying to know if you tried any.

Please post more!! It's the only thing that gets me through the day.

-Tim

posted by Tim on January 25, 2006 01:23 PM

Weird, Zach - I saw beetroot as a topping for pretty much every burger I had. They even had it there as a condiment during our surf camp bbq.

I've heard of Burger Joint, and I hope to make it some day. My list of NY restaurants to try is huge though, so who knows when I'll get the chance. You really don't need to go to Paul's - it's nothing special.

Tim, I've tried vegemite and I pretty much hate it. There were a couple of people in our study abroad program that acquired the taste (ahem Jenn), so it's not impossible for foreigners to like it.

posted by Arthur on January 27, 2006 07:36 PM

Arthur, you have got to be kidding me. Americans make better burgers than Australians? I don't think so. Sure I've had some tasty burgers in America and in American restaurants around the world, but when I want something really special I can only turn to Australian burgers. The picture you posted of 'Paul's so-called Famous Hamburgers' is probably the least appetising Australian burger I have ever seen. Where's the salad? Is that the lettuce I see hiding under there? And where's the big Australian beef patty? A *good* Australian burger, famous or not (and I lived in Australia for 6 years and I've never heard of Paul before), is 10x better than any American one. I think the reason you might think American burgers are better is that you encountered this sorry excuse in Australia or that like many Americans you are just addicted to huge amounts of salt, fat and sugar in all your foods. An Australian hamgurger is a healthy meal all on it's own, and American burger is a heart attack under tomato sauce. Don't judge Australian burgers till you've had a half decent one, then get back to us. And in case you think I'm an Australian just sticking up for my country - I'm half-Welsh half-French!

posted by Frogboy on February 17, 2006 07:40 AM

Easy now Frogboy, I just call it like I see it. :) I'm not the one who dubbed Paul's as famous - you can go complain to the SMH for that. There was a bit of salad in there for sure, but the problem with the burger really was the patty... which, to be honest, was the problem I had with every burger I had in Oz. Either way, the lettuce should never be the focus of the burger...

In my defense though, let me say a couple of things:

1) I think we've got a fundamental disagreement here if you think that a hamburger should be a healthy meal. There's no way you're gonna bring me over the fence on that one. And when the Works means bacon and a fried egg, I find it hard to believe that an Australian burger is supposed to be healthy. :P

2) When I'm talking American burgers, I don't mean McDonald's or Burger King, I mean Mo's, Zuni and In-N-Out. None of these burgers even have tomato sauce (or.. ketchup), and it just so happens that ketchup is the single food item that I hate the most. Many people can attest to this. I won't eat a burger (or anything, really) that has ketchup on it.

So I'd love to know where to find a good burger in Sydney. I had one at Paul's, which according to critics is supposed to be one of the best, but I also had a few random ones throughout the city, none of which were good. They all seemed to be the same style. It'd take a very significant experience to convince me that an Australian burger can come anywhere close to an American one. (Is there any place making wagyu burgers? There's gotta be!)

Anyway, thanks a ton for the feedback, Frogboy. It's debates like these that pique my curiosity the most. I'd love to find something better than Paul's, because that place sure was disappointing.

posted by Arthur on February 17, 2006 08:33 PM

I don't know too much of Sydney, having only gone through there to the airport a few times, so I can't help you there. But all the best burgers I have had in Oz were from small Milk Bars up the central and northern NSW coast when I was on holiday there, like one I remember I had in a town called Forster-Tuncurry (nothing to do with the beer) that was excellent. Wouldn't be able to tell you the name or address though, I was only there for a few days.
Most of the time I was there I was in Tasmania, so if you're ever there and want a really good burger, that isn't especially healthy, try a Tower Burger from Leaning Tower Pizza Bar in Sandy Bay, Hobart.

You're right when you say we have a fundamental disagreement. When I looked at the pictures of the burgers at 'Mo's, Zuni and In-N-Out' I felt my stomach turn (no offense). I don't think I could eat something that heavy without some salad to even it out. Although I don't think a burger *should* be a healthy meal, the best ones I've had were just that. I think that the patty should be thought of as just one ingredient in burger with equal importance to lettuce, tomato, cucumber, beetroot. onions (I like the fried-in-beer-on-the-BBQ type the best), etc. I personally prefer mine with the egg, but without bacon, and I hate tomato sauce too. Sugar and fat are fine in small amounts, as long as you're getting plenty of salad to make it a 'balanced' meal. That's what I like.

P.S. Sorry I came on a little strong last time - I was having a very bad day! ;)

posted by Frogboy on March 7, 2006 10:58 AM

Wow am i glad i stumbled on your site Arthur, i love burger talk! Reading your comments and the other's responses i can agree with points from both sides.
I happen to be a fanatical burger lover and it has been a challenge for myself and my friends to find the best. When one of us thinks we found a better one, we all go out for a new burger challenge and decide on a group opinion/result, all in the name of a good feed of course. I grew up in Sydney, never heard of "Paul's", but from the pic it looks like the style from a local fish'n'chips takeout - Pack it all on and "catch the slop before it drops".. Tastes great when you're starving but you will certainly pay the price for it later on....
During my times overseas I search for a great burger too. Brazil was dissapointing, their version of a burger is just the pattie on a plate, no bun..
Israel seem to have picked up the burger making very well, I tried a few places but the absolute best is a restaurant called "Burgos", a 300g grilled perfectly with fresh salad,pickles etc. Admittedly they don't serve beetroot or pineapple, but you don't need it. It's around US$6.80.
When I am in Sydney i never fail to go to my favourite place for a simply sensational burger at "Hurricanes" at Bondi Beach. It's a bar/restaurant so you pay around Aus$16 incl chips or potatoes, my regular order is the "Monkey gland sauce burger" - you MUST go there next time!
I guess the better burgers are found in restaurants more than the "local joint", however i would never count them out as there are many to be found serving great inexpensive burgers with the lot, without the slop.
I won't enter the debate of which country has the best, all of them have good, bad or uglies, and it's worth trying new places when not in one's home town.
Actually i will be in Boston later in the year, if you have an opinion on Boston's best burger then I'm listening!
By the way when i travel i cannot leave without a jar of Vegemite. Definately an aquired taste and much better than the opposition Marmite which sells in other countries. I have had lots of fun giving taste samples to other travellers who think it's a chocolate spread so they dig in, only to have a magnificently exstatic look of shock and disgust when they reallise it's too late and enter a panic of spitting....

Darren

posted by Darren on March 11, 2006 07:12 AM

i have lived here for all my 16 years of life.. you're all wrong

i live exactly 2.6kms from a paul's famous hamburgers shop.

they are the best, by miles and miles.

i have travelled a fair bit only to come home to the comfort of a well made australian burger

bettroot definately isn't always on hamburgers, however it is an option. a beetroot crazy person would be devastated if beetroot wasn't an option!

in conclusion, i love australia and it's burgers.

posted by lauren on March 21, 2006 02:00 AM

Who'd have thought that of all my burger posts, my Sydney one would spark the most controversy? :)

Darren, if you come to Boston there are a few contenders. Bartley's Burger Cottage in Harvard Square has the reputation for Boston's Best. I like it a lot, but not enough to make the trip out there very often. You can find quite a few good ones though - near BU campus where I live, I like Audubon (it's in the archives). A newish place called Eastern Standard in Kenmore Square also has a pretty good one, served on a brioche bun. There are many others, and a ton that I admit I haven't tried yet. There's constant debate about this at the Boston Chowhound boards.

Lauren, you're entitled to your opinion. I guess everyone has different tastes after all. :)

posted by Arthur on March 28, 2006 02:25 PM

Don't sweat it man. Everyone knows that Aussies are all nuts anyway.

posted by Jimmy on April 20, 2006 03:49 AM

Yeah, gotta agree with Jimmy on that :) Whatever you do - on't start reviewing beer!

posted by Frogboy on April 27, 2006 06:08 AM

Hi Arthur,
Thanks for those Boston burger tips! Definately appreciate it. By the way for anyone who "just happens" to visit Israel, in the city of Netanya next to the beach at a restaurant there, they have recently added a new burger menu. I was amazed when I saw the monster of them all, a total of 660grams of beef for one burger!!!! Thats 2 slabs of 330g a piece, now I'm a self confessed burger lover but that one has to wait for another day....
Take it easy!
ps - beetroot rocks on a burger! but not together with pineapple, it's one or the other or you'll be drinking the burger..

posted by Darren on June 13, 2006 02:33 PM

Hi Guys, you have obviously have not been to melbourne to try a Burger, they Claim to be Best American Style burgers in Melbourne..... I have been to that Diner 6 different times, and I can honestly say" I
t really is".
The only different thing they add is an egg, which squirts yolk in your mouth with the first bite, then the rest is finger licking good! But not a beet root in site! I would say to all you burger lovers to try out the burgers in Prahran.How I found out about the place was thru a Radio Ad Claimimg that Prahran has the best Americans Burgers, so being a burger lover that I am, I went in for the challenge, and believe me, try once and you will be back!Oh the Chili fries are to die for! check out the web page for address and such. www.mistysdiner.com
Jonathen from Perth

posted by leopardl on June 20, 2006 04:23 AM

Sure seems to be alot of Burger lovers. If any of you make it to New Buffalo, Indiana, USA (Southern tip of the Great Lake Michigan) try one of the many burgers available at "Redi-Mac's". Absolutely a fine meal.

I'm writing this with an "Australian Burger" in my other hand! Now I can say I've tried it. Not my favorite, but can understand why they're popular.

posted by oneofmany on July 14, 2006 12:30 PM