Some months ago I made a foolhardy foray through the flannelette curtain in search of the perfect burger. It wasn’t a pleasant experience.
After a warm mug of cocoa, a few doses of group therapy and a good lie down I thought it was safe to jump head first back into the breech!
Stevo’s Takeaway has been in operation just over 12 months now, and in that time has garnered itself quite a loyal little following.
Their location is quite interesting, and just a little bit ballsy if you ask me.
With hints of David vs Goliath, Stevo’s is located in the long shadow of none other than Hungry Jacks!
A brave move indeed. However, the fact they have survived their first year suggests that there is something unique about Stevo’s. Something that keeps the customers coming back, diverting their attention from the neon lights, jungle gym and double whoppers on offer across the road.
Pushing the rickety screen door aside and taking in the decor you’d be forgiven for having second thoughts. Considered basic by anyone’s standard, they certainly aren’t going to be winning any awards for interior design!
Spartan, utilitarian, empty bain marie. Some may say the only good bain marie is an empty bain marie, but it still makes you wonder, “What the hell is going on in this place? Where’s the food?”
But then your eyes refocus and notice the hand written note scrawled across the front of the bain marie:
“For freshness and quality all hot food is cooked to order. 5 minute wait, but it’s worth it! Thankyou for your patience 🙂 “
Now that’s something rarely seen in a takeaway shop of this ilk!!
Lifting the eyes even further and you take in the menu gracing the enormous extractor unit above the hotplates.
Not only do they do a traditional beef burger, but they also offer a southern fried chicken breast burger and a beer battered blue eye burger of all things! In fact, a little birdy tells me they also happen to regularly serve up a seriously good pulled pork roll with sour coleslaw!!
I’ll let Jules express my thoughts on the matter as he has much more eloquent way with words (language warning)…
While the chicken burger was tempting, I stuck with my tried and true traditional beef burger ($7.50). Feeling a little peckish also went for the upgrade to include some seasoned fries and a Coke for another couple of bucks.
True to his word, the burger was cooked from scratch, and if anything actually took less than 5 minutes to prepare. It can obviously be done, so why is it that no one else offers such a fantastic service?! Very impressive indeed!
Finding a deserted bench by the side of the bikeway (classy, I know) I opened the lid to see what goodies awaited my grumbling tummy…
Great presentation, with the white paper wrapped around the burger adding a nice little touch.
Carefully extracting the burger from its receptacle, I placed it on the table in order to take a few photos.
In the interests of personal hygiene I did place a piece of paper under the burger before placing it on the table top, but in hindsight I should have been a little bit more thorough! I didn’t realise at the time that the cheese had sagged over the edge and touched Glenorchy’s finest public dining table. A week later and I do have this itchy rash on my chest…but I’m pretty sure I’m still Hep C free….
Right up front I’m going to say that this is one very decent burger!
The patty had that awesome homemade feel, full of fresh flavours and really juicy all the way through. Only one very minor criticism. It did feel to me as though the mince may have been worked a little bit too hard during the grinding process, as the grain was very tight. This resulted in a slightly denser patty that, to me anyway, didn’t have quite as satisfying a mouth feel as the two blue collar burgers that currently sit atop the burger challenge ladder (Red Jaffa and Budgie Smugglers).
The big stand out with this burger though is the fantastic tomato relish that Stevo has liberally applied across the top of the patty. Full of rich, deep flavours, this relish adds some very welcome spark and zip to the burger.
Together with the tasty bacon (personal preference would have had it a little bit crunchier, but again only a minor nitpick), fresh salad and slice of cheese, this is one burger that you’re not going to forget in a hurry!
One warning though, it is a little on the messy side. A juicy patty is a wonderful thing, but it also comes at a price 🙂
Overall?
I was impressed. Very impressed!
Despite the austere interior, Stevo has clearly focused his attentions on the most important aspects of a takeaway joint, the food and the service. The flavour of the ingredients is up there with the best and the whole package smacks of genuine passion for a quality product.
It’s places like Stevo’s that continue to surprise me, and it’s the reason why I love exploring the odd little nooks and crannies of suburban Hobart in search of the perfect burger!
Opening hours are from 7am until 3pm.
Taste – 4/5
Patty – 3.5/5
Bun – 4.5/5
Ingredients – 4/5
Condiments – 5/5
Presentation – 5/5
Stuffable* – Yes
Value – 4.5/5
Overall – 4/5
*Can you stuff it in your face without a knife and fork?
White Collar Burgers
1. The Standard – 5/5
2. The Winston – 5/5
3. Tasman Quartermasters – 4.5/5
4. Chrome – 4/5
5. Crumb Street Kitchen – 3.5/5
6. Burger Haus – 3/5
7. Burger Got Soul – 2.5/5
Blue Collar Burgers
1. Red Jaffa – 4.5/5
2. Budgie Smugglers – 4.5/5
3. Stevo’s Takeaway – 4/5
4. Argyle Take Away – 3.5/5
5. Burger Me – 2.5/5
6. Atlantis Takeaway – 2.5/5