Burger Challenge at Burger Junkie

With our departure date for Europe fast approaching, it was our fear that we would leave Tasmania’s shores without ever having the opportunity to try some of the exciting new burger options that have emerged in and around Launceston in the last couple of years.

As luck would have it, an unexpected opportunity arose for us to spend a couple of days in the area. At the same time it presented us with our most favourite of dilemmas…where to go?

As with most cities, you’re always better off asking a local!

A couple of enquiries later to ‘A Heads Up to Eating Out in Launceston‘ and ‘The Not Shit Guide to Launceston Dining‘ (yes, that IS it’s real name!!) and two options stood head and shoulders above the rest; Burger Junkie and St John Craft Beer.

Given that Burger Junkie was one of the first northern venues to really embrace the Tasmanian Food Trucks Facebook page that we set up last year, we thought it only appropriate to give them the nod.

A quick peek at their own Facebook page and we found that they were located up on High Street, next to St George’s Park in the area now more commonly known by foodies as ‘Eat Street’. Their compadres this evening were Turkish Tukka, whose delicious gozleme we tried at Festivale during our last sojourn north, and The Crepe Caravan who sounded like a potentially awesome way to finish off our evening of gluttony.

Burger Junkie at 'Eat Street'

Burger Junkie at ‘Eat Street’

It was early in the evening and yet the queue was already a half a dozen deep!

It’s normally a good sign when you only need one hand to count the number of options on a food truck menu! In this case the pedants will argue there were actually six, but my eyes glazed over as soon as I saw the last option starting with ‘vege…’. Ain’t nobody got time fo’ dat!

A couple of classic burgers, a more exotic number, and two fried chicken options. A few very tidy sides were also on offer, consisting of fries, poutine and buffalo wings. What more could you want?

Burger Junkie

Burger Junkie

As always, to ensure a fair comparison I selected the plain ol’ Cheeseburger ($10.50), consisting of a beef patty, American cheddar, pickles, onion, mustard, mayo and ketchup. I also couldn’t resist adding a couple of rashers of fried bacon for a very measly $1 extra.

“When in doubt, add bacon!”

Cheeseburger from Burger Junkie

Cheeseburger from Burger Junkie

Considering how busy they were, the service was very snappy. A good thing too as the temperature was plummeting and I needed something in my belly to warm me up!

Those who have been following our Tasmanian Burger Challenge will know that there are two burgers in Hobart that are the yard sticks against which all other burgers are compared; The Winston Cheeseburger and The Standard.

Let’s just say that Burger Junkie can henceforth be known as the Winston of the North!

There is so much to love about this burger, and so little to criticise.

Before taking a bite out of any burger I always tear off a piece of the beef patty to get a feel for what I’m in for. In this case it is close to the best I’ve had, with only Mohr and Smith and possibly The Hairy Giraffe Café being better.

That’s right, I’d actually rank this beef patty as better than that from The Winston! It wasn’t too thin, but had been perfectly cooked, with consistently great char and very nice caramelisation.

Choosing bacon for my burgers has proven to be a bit of a train wreck in recent times, with limp, soggy rashers par for the course.

Not from Burger Junkie! Properly fried off, some may say a little bit too much, but I like it when it has a hint of crunchy crackle on the outside and is still soft in the middle.

The condiments all balanced really nicely, the generously sliced pickles were tart, and the layers of soft cheese were the perfect glue to bind it all together. Throw in a perfectly toasted bun, all macho exterior and pillow-soft interior, and you’ve got the best burger I’ve tried in many months!

Launcestonians, consider yourselves blessed by the burger gods!

Hobartians, get yourselves to Launceston at the earliest opportunity!

Fo’ Burger Junkie is da shizzle.

Details for Burger Junkie?

Burger Junkie are mobile, but have a regular spot at High Street, opposite St Georges Park.

Monday to Saturday: 5pm – 8pm
Sunday: 4:30pm – 7:30pm

If you want more info, drop by their Facebook page here – Burger Junkie on Facebook

Score?

Taste – 4.5/5
Patty – 4.5/5
Bun – 4/5
Ingredients – 4/5
Condiments – 4.5/5
Presentation – 4.5/5
Stuffable* – Yes
Value – 5/5

*Can you stuff it in your face without a knife and fork?

4.5


Burger Challenge Roundup

White Collar Burgers

1. Mohr and Smith – 5/5
2. The Winston – 4.5/5
3. Burger Junkie – 4.5/5
4. The Standard – 4/5
5. Ranelagh General Store – 4/5
6. The Hairy Giraffe – 4/5
7. The Homestead – 4/5
8. Quartermasters Arms – 4/5
9. Jack Greene – 4/5
10. Chrome – 3.5/5
11. Coterie and Co. – 3.5/5
12. Moots in Kahoots at the Naked Bike Cafe – 3/5
13. Salamanca Wharf Cafe – 3/5
14. Van Demons Cafe de Wheels – 3/5
15. pOp Cafe – 3/5
16. Crumb Street Kitchen – 3/5 (now closed)
17. Burger Haus – 2.5/5
18. Burger Got Soul – 2/5
19. The Squire’s Bounty – 1.5/5 (now closed)

Blue Collar Burgers

1. Red Jaffa – 4.5/5 (these guys are my sentimental favourite, so they get the #1 gig!)
2. Albert Road Store – 4.5/5
3. Budgie Smugglers – 4.5/5
4. Stevo’s Takeaway – 4/5
5. Devil’s Kitchen Cafe – 3.5/5
6. Argyle Take Away – 3.5/5
7. Langridge Store – 3/5
8. Darcy’s Cafe – 3/5
9. Burger Me – 2.5/5
10. Atlantis Takeaway – 2.5/5
11. Gormanston Rd Takeaway – 1.5/5