Top 5 burgers in Melbourne

Hi fellow foodies! This entry is dedicated to all burger fanatics out there who will travel far and wide for that epic burger. My friend Gian is one of those guys so he has kindly agreed to write this guest post for me and help you burger fanatics out there find burger nirvana. Enjoy! :)

Once upon a moon, choosing a good burger in Melbourne was a question of Andrew's or Danny's. Now it's harder to avoid a self pronounced burger expert (ahem) than it is to find that perfect combination of beef, cheese and bun. Here's a list of Melbourne's top 5 burgers you should definitely get off your butt and try!

Rockpool Bar and Grill
Crown Casino, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank VIC 3006
(03) 8648 1900

Love or hate Neil Perry and his sometimes elitist fare, he's put his technique and beefy expertise into practice in this behemoth of a burger. Not for the small stomached, the Shawn Blackmore patty comes in at over 200g, the remainder of the components (mostly pickled goodies) are of the highest possible quality. Some might flinch at the price tag ($24) though this here is your special occasion burger.

Le Bon Ton
Le Bon Ton. 51 Gipps Street, Collingwood 3066 03 9416 4341

This is the new kid in the block and while I'm quick to dismiss newcomers, I'm betting my house that this is going to be in top 10 burger lists around town. Simple in execution and delivery, the ingredients are simple, the patty a modest size and charry on the outside, the bun is as soft as a cloud. Despite its substantial size, you'll be contemplating ordering another.

Trunk
275 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9663 7994

The Trunk Diner has gone quietly and confidently about their Wagyu burger for over 3 years now. Highly customisable and double-able upon request, this has to be one of our towns most reliable and tasty. The basic comes with nothing more than meat and a bun. Various salad items adorn the wooden prison cafeteria tray so you can put it all together yourself. Additions of note are the sauteed mushrooms and caramelised onions.

Merrywell
Crown Towers/Cnr Clarendon Street & Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006
(03) 9292 7468

I don't like Crown. I don't even like Merrywell. I do love the Merrywell burger though. Probably the only time I've ever seen damper used as a bun (flashbacks to Grade 4 camp), there are no other surprises in this package, other than a large patty cooked to absolute perfection. You're in for a real mess with burger and burger related juices pouring out of this thing with excitement. You're in for a hell of a ride if you've ordered the double.

Rockwell and Sons
288 Smith St, Collingwood VIC 3066
(03) 8415 0700

All's well that end's well. The Rockwell Double Patty Smash is an oozy, greasy, stick-it-in-your-beaky burger. Nothing fancy on offer in this burger, other than an impeccably executed man sandwich. With 2 patties pressed to their limit, 2 slices of Kraft's finest and a "special" sauce, this is Collingwood's favourite son.

About the guest post author:

Gianfranco Stella is a self-professed burger fanatic. He has deemed it his job to hunt for the best burgers in Melbourne, come rain, hail or shine. Literally - as we did our last hunt together in torrential rain. This man is indeed dedicated to the humble cause.

Top 5 value for money Malaysian Sensations

These Malaysian Sensations are a selection of my favorite haunts that never fail to satisfy that craving for a hearty meal at great value for money.

1. Papparich
Level 2, shop 11,QV Square,QV Building, Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9654 2682 
 
Featuring traditional Malaysian food with the likes of roti canai, nasi lemak, laksa and my all time fave Ipoh Kway Teow, this bustling restaurant has become so popular it has sprouted up in several neighborhoods from the original Melb city QV to busy Chaddy, Doncaster, Glen Waverley, Northland and Nunawading. The long queues move fast as they don't muck around with their highly efficient ticket and self-ordering system. Spicy chicken curries, saucy noodles and satays are churned out quickly but tastefully by the busy chefs who can be seen flipping the rotis over the open kitchen counter. You can savour a hearty meal for between $12-$15 or $20 with sides. Highly recommended for the discerning foodie who loves a cheap and cheerful Malaysian feed.

 











2. Penang Rd
177 Clarendon St South Melbourne, VIC 3205 
03 9690 0536

I first discovered this gem a few months ago and have become a loyal follower. The meal portions are generous, the flavors original and true to Malaysian cuisine; but the prices affordable at less than $10 a pop! A true classic is the chicken rice that comes in either hainanese or roast chicken options. Both come with a generous serve of succulent saucy chicken, chicken-infused rice and a chicken broth with meat balls. Another crowd pleaser is the nasi lemak that comes in a few options as well with fried chicken drumstick, fried chicken ribs or sambal prawns. Each plate is topped with a signature fried egg, crispy anchovies, roasted peanuts and cucumber. Remember to ask for a side of sambal chilli to complete the meal. Service is friendly, quick and fuss-free. Great value for the ravenous on a mission for some seriously good 'ol Malaysian food!

 








3. Mdm Kwong's
1025 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill VIC 3128

(03) 9898 8108

Located in bustling Box Hill, it's always worth a trip to Mdm Kwong's for traditional Malaysian food including Malaysian spring rolls aka popiah with a crunchy salad centre in a delicate wrap dipped in a sweet sauce or the prawn noodles in a flavorsome sweet prawn broth cooked for hours for the intense sweetness. Those with an acquired taste, can try the creamy frozen durian fruit flown direct from prime Malaysian or Thai durian farms. Durians could be deemed a treasure or trash for some depending on their individual tastes. Choose from a variety of Malaysian dishes for no doubt a fail proof experience at excellent value.

 















4. Straits Cafe 
Studfield Shopping Centre, 241 Stud Road, Wantirna South, VIC 3152  
(03) 9800 2001

Hailing from Malaysia Truly Asia, are the lovely owners of the Straits Cafe in Wantirna, where they make a darn-good chicken rice, often contested as the National dish of both Singapore and Malaysia. Throngs of Singaporean students and Malaysians alike flock to this restaurant for a cheap and quick but satisfying meal. Other asian delights include laksa, char kway teow, nasi lemak and rojak. The succulent hainanese chicken pieces cooked to perfection accompanied by soy sesame sauces, garlic chilli condiments and flavorful rice ($10.90) make for a good value for money no-brainer meal.












5. Omah's
338/342 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122
(03) 9818 7777
The best value meal here is the crab banquet that occurs every Monday night as a special. A 3-course crab banquet is offered at $45 starting with a crab omelette served with garlic chili sauce to whet your appetite followed by the star of the show- a whole mud crab cooked to your choice of flavor (choose from salt and pepper, chili, garlic and spring onion, etc) and closed by a sweet pandan sago pudding laced with gula Melaka (a brown palm sugar). This place never fails to hit the spot for me when you're after a value for money crab feast!