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Mexican Challenge 1 – El Loco

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As we depart the land of beef patties and melted cheese, we enter new territory filled with various meat selections, mounds of shaved and melted cheese on your choice of holding mechanism. Yes ladies and gentleman, Mexican Fiesta has arrived!  And unlike the beginning of Spring, our first location on the list was perfect to ease our transition in culinary expectation.  Destination? El Loco at the Excelsior Hotel in Surry Hills. It’s motto? Nuestra casa es su casa (Our home is your home) Another gem from Merivale group, this no fuss cantina is filling up quickly with eager diners at … Continue reading Mexican Challenge 1 – El Loco

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The big finale – Burger Challenge 10 – Rockpool

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Here we are.  Drumroll.  The Grand Frickin Finale! Rockpool Bar and Grill.  We have save the possible best (and definitely most expensive) until last. This was special night.  Not only because the small idea inspired by a glorious timeout list took off and allowed friends to get together, eat good food, drink good booze and have general good times, but it was also the end of an era.  Co-founder Shiree was leaving us.  Yes, I do not lie.  She will be relocating to sunny Darwin in search of pet crocodiles and thongs. So this was to be a special night. … Continue reading The big finale – Burger Challenge 10 – Rockpool

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Burger Challenge 9 – Papi Chulo

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Papi oh Papi – where have you been all of my life! This place was such a treat I am still recovering. It was a small intimate group of 2 that ventured ‘over seas’ to visit Papi Culo in Manly. Nestled in the newest hub of restaurants and bars on the Wharf Side of Manly, this Merivale seaside cottage inspired restaurant was pumping on the glorious Saturday afternoon that we decided to partake in the 9th on our burger challenge list.       We were not disappointed.  Our waiter was an absolute charmer so wine and ciders were ordered….along … Continue reading Burger Challenge 9 – Papi Chulo

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Burger Challenge 7 and 8 – Ester and Excelsior Jones

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  J We were unable to make it to every restaurant recommended on the list, so we did what every good person should do when they can’t be bothered – we outsourced it! And just to add to our inherent laziness, we are also combining two burger challenges into one – Ester and Excelsior Jones. Whilst co-founder Stacey did make it to Excelsior Jones previously, we asked a fellow Timeout Tester to be a Guest Contributor in for us at Ester. Here are their reviews Ester Jono here, subbing in for the usual Time Out Testers who couldn’t make it, with my review … Continue reading Burger Challenge 7 and 8 – Ester and Excelsior Jones

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Burger Challenge 6 – The Welcome Hotel

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            Yes…yes it was. A cute little pub nestled in Rozelle with a 130 heritage. On a cold night, this pub offers some great craft beer and cider with a decent wine list in a quaint warm environment where the locals are a plenty and the tables are sparse.    Our group of 6 met to test the next burger on the list – the Wagyu Beef Burger with Pancetta, provolone, tomato, lettuce, chutney and fries. This one we were a little excited at the thought of pancetta and fries that were included. What a … Continue reading Burger Challenge 6 – The Welcome Hotel

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Burger Challenge 5 – Parlour Burger

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This week our group travelled to the Old Brooklyn Hotel in the CBD which in recent years has been given a makeover. And it looks fierce. Now called The Morrison, the main bar is now a swish restaurant that offers such delights like $1 oysters on Wednesdays. But that isn’t why our group were visiting this week…however duly noted for next time. We were heading to the little bar attached to Morrisons. Due to the popularity of burgers being ordered from the Morrisons menu, Chef Sean Connolly made the very very wise decision to open a burger bar….welcome Parlour Burger. … Continue reading Burger Challenge 5 – Parlour Burger

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Burger Challenge 4 – The Stuffed Beaver

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This week, we had to take the left turn at Albuquerque. With the sad and slightly irritating departure of Moon Park from our horizons (seriously, who takes an item off a menu because too many people were ordering it?! Absurd) – we were now left with a gap on our list. We needed a replacement…and quick. Our burger enthusiasts were hungry! One name that we had heard a few times was the ever appropriately named Stuffed Beaver coming to you from Sydney’s Bondi (Special shout out to Marianne for recommending this one to us). So a quaint 11 of us … Continue reading Burger Challenge 4 – The Stuffed Beaver

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Burger Challenge 3 – Mary’s Newtown

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‘Oh Mary – we came and you served us a burger…..’ The infamous Mary’s. Word on the street was that this was the best burger around. That’s why we went.  That and it was burger number 3 on our list. Before we get into the details, here’s a fun fact for you –  prior to Jake and Kenny taking over this unassuming building hidden down Mary St in Newtown, this establishment once home to a Masonic Hall, a Greek Club, Pool Hall and most impressively an STI Clinic – ‘one burger, hold the chlamydia thanks’ – creepy. Not that you … Continue reading Burger Challenge 3 – Mary’s Newtown

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Burger Challenge 2 – The Fish Shop

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I will admit, this one had me a little perplexed. You are sending me to a seafood restaurant in Potts Point for one of Sydney’s best beef burgers?! Ok. Challenge accepted. After maneuvering the trials and tribulations of trying to find a damn parking spot in the never forgiving Potts Point, we arrive at our restaurant, Merivale’s Fish Shop. This one had a whopping 11 people turn out to assist with the challenge! Some of the original team and some newbies that wanted some good old beef action! I will admit that I felt a little guilty ordering a beef burger … Continue reading Burger Challenge 2 – The Fish Shop

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Burger Challenge 1 – Chur Burger

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Nestled in the ever popular food suburb of Surry Hills, the new and improved Chur Burger restaurant has come back with a vengeance after fire destroyed their first home. Taking over the Albion St kitchen, it has officially settled into the landscape. Our group of 5 had high expectations for the first burger. This one was to set the benchmark. Not only had we been thinking about eating a burger for a week leading up to our first night out, but I am pretty sure we were dribbling by the time we saw the sign in the distance. Chur Burger, our … Continue reading Burger Challenge 1 – Chur Burger