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This little piggy went to Sherbrooke

Amongst a string of cold and gloomy days recently, the sun decided to make an unexpected appearance. When that happens, you get out amongst it and enjoy it while it lasts, which is exactly what I did recently. I decided to take a drive up the mountain and visit an amusingly named placed called the “Piggery café” in Sherbrooke.

This place was filled with lots of families and kids who were enjoying the grassy surrounds and play area. I decided to sit outside in the glorious sunshine and try to soak up as many “rays” as possible. Interestingly, the menu includes a “beetroot burger”, which I obviously avoided. I decided to go with the “Cheese Burger” instead – David Blackmore Wagyu burger, cheese, iceberg, tomato, onion, pickles and smoked bacon.  David Blackmore Wagyu is also used at Rockpool Restaurant, and given my past experience there, I wasn’t sure how this was going to play out?!

First thing I noticed when it arrived was the cheese was not melted! Ugh!! Why is it so hard to melt some cheese to a patty? I can do it when I cook burgers at home on the BBQ so I don’t understand what is so difficult? Anyway…. I powered ahead and got on with it. The burger was ok. Luckily (unlike Rockpool) the meat was really tasty and so was the bacon. However, there was way too much mustard, which took over the taste of the burger and there was not much else to compete with in terms of flavours. The bun was soft and held up without ripping apart, which was a bonus.

Hand cut chips on the side, with rosemary and salt were amazing, except they were a bit on the cold side. And this time I went with a Hawthorn Amber Ale which was “an auburn coloured, English styled ale, highlighted by classic British hops and rich malt characters” – at least that’s what it said on the bottle!! I thought it was “okay”! Lol

Overall, the experience was average, and not enough to get me back for another burger. Value for money is not good either, as the burger cost $21 plus small chips were $5! Having said that, if you were interested in getting out, going for a drive and having a bite to eat, with or without kids, it’s a place worth visiting.

What do you think of cheese not being melted in a burger?
Split Decision – 6.3/10

Location: Piggery Cafe, 1 Sherbrooke Road, Sherbrooke VIC 3789

It’s guaranteed

It was a lovely, sunny day in Melbourne recently and after finishing a meeting in St Kilda, I realised it was lunch time or should I say Burger time?! I decided to head into Richmond and visit a place that has been on my wish list for a very long time – “1090 Burger”. I finally found a park and as I walked there, I could feel the excitement brewing. The first thing I noticed was the sign out the front that reads “It’s guaranteed” – I loved the confidence!!

I decided to order the “1090 Burger” – grass fed Angus beef, cheese, mayo, ketchup, lettuce, tomato, red onion and mustard. I resisted the option to make it a double and added egg, bacon and some southern fried chicken instead. Why not? I’d heard so many good things about this place, I was keen to make sure I didn’t waste the opportunity. There is nothing worse than when you have a killer burger and end up regretting not making alterations. Ok, I know there are plenty of things worse, but you get the idea right?!

As soon as it arrived, I simply said “whoa!” and chuckled to myself with excitement. This burger was big. The chicken was massive and I could feel the heat coming off it, so had to be patient while it cooled down. I couldn’t wait any longer. I was willing to risk burning my mouth for this burger because it looked so good. The beef was flavoursome and cooked perfectly. The chicken (apart from being way too hot) was delightful. Adding bacon and egg was a good move and the bun was one of the best – soft and tasty! The mayo was nice, however there was way too much of it and given it was at the top on the lettuce, it made the burger super slippery and oozed everywhere. The onion was very over powering too, and might be better with caramelised rather than raw.

Shoestring fries on the side were really good, and this time I went with a traditional Melbourne Bitter to accompany the meal, which topped off a good experience all round.

Overall, this was a really good burger and looks like their guarantee stood up too. Well worth visiting to find out for yourself.

Do you prefer raw onion or caramelised onion on a burger?
KO – Knock Out – 8.3/10

Location: 1090 Burger, 181A Swan Street, Richmond VIC 3121

Fate stepped in

When you have a business meeting and the other party suggests a place that is on your burger bucket list, its customary to stay back afterwards and have a burger. At least it is now, because that’s exactly what happened recently when I met with Blue 51 Communications at “South Society Café” in Mount Waverley. This place had been on my list for a while, and I just haven’t had a chance to get there, so when it seemed that fate stepped in, I felt it was my obligation to try their burger.

The menu is filled with café styled regulars such as all day breakfast, salads, pastas and given there is only one burger on the menu, the choice was easy! The “waygu beef burger” (yes, that’s how it’s spelt on the menu – “waygu”, not wagyu! Hmmmm…..), anyway it comes with beef, caramelised onion, lettuce, jack cheese, AJs BBQ sauce and onion ring. I also took the suggested option of adding bacon too!

This was a good looking burger. Standing tall, with two large onion rings atop the mighty burger tower. I took off the onions rings and tried one and it was at that moment that I realised, I’m really not much of an onion ring fan. Too much batter and not enough onion for me, or maybe I just haven’t found the right one yet?! Not sure!? Anyway, I digress. Time for the burger.

The meat was soft and juicy, the onion tasty and bacon cooked perfectly. Having said that, the meat was also bland and lacked flavour. The onion took over the burger and not because there was too much of it, but because there wasn’t much of anything else to compete with it. And the bacon was folded over itself a few times, and ended up being thicker than the patty. Not sure who “AJ” is or what relevance they have to the place, but their BBQ sauce was average at best and the bun ripped apart from all the onion on top too. Finally, and probably most importantly, the cheese wasn’t even melted to the patty, but rather placed on top of the bacon?! As many of my regular readers know, it is my belief that Burger etiquette clearly states the cheese MUST be melted to the patty!

Chips on the side were ok and this time I went with the “tap juice” on the table to wash things down.

Overall, not a great experience. I think it could use a slice of tomato and some egg to give it more flavour. Plus value for money is terrible as it is definitely not worth $25.50!! The simple fact that they have spelt wagyu wrong speaks for itself really, so if you go there, maybe stick with coffee and their all day breakfast dishes if you’re game.

Which cafe does the best burger?
Throw in the Towel – 4.9/10

Location: South Society Cafe, 435-437 Blackburn Road, Mount Waverley Victoria 3149

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