Profiled by de Groots MediaLook out Sydney – fast food is going gourmet. From fish and chips to tacos, the fast food scene is getting a makeover and emerging trendier, healthier, and aimed at those disposable incomes. Burgers are riding the crest of the wave, with a crop of gourmet burger joints popping up like daisies all over inner Sydney. Burger Bar operates a shop in the city and another in Surry Hills; the latter has been going for 18 months and its burger philosophy is threefold – healthy, gourmet and affordable. “The humble burger was ripe for a contemporary makeover; they no longer have to be greasy and unhealthy. In fact we offer consumers a healthy ‘slow’ fast food option at a great pricepoint,” say owners Carol Flannery and Matthew Page. That translates into a menu that lists blue cheese, teriyaki tofu and swordfish steak burgers along with your classic beef and chicken.
Vegetarians are pretty well catered for with the likes of chilli lentil and pumpkin-zucchini rosti, plus all rolls are available in gluten free. If you’re not in the mood for a burger you can get away with a fajita, nachos or a couple of salads; but really, the burger menu is so diverse there’s no craving or whim it couldn’t sate. Surprisingly, Burger Bar is open for breakfast and has a qualified barista turning out the grind. So you can grab a bacon and egg roll, mushroom bruschetta or corn fritter on the run, or sit down to a full big breakfast for under 10 bucks. If it’s later in the day you may want to make use of Burger Bar’s licence, and wash down your gourmet bun with a beer or wine by the glass.
Sarah Theeboom, October 2007
