Make any excuse you like… “It’s winter/summer/autumn/spring and I need comfort food, simple food is best, burgers just look great”… What ever! Just go an eat one and leave the guilt for tomorrow. It’s all about the burger!
My top ten has been selected from restaurants and cafes around Brisbane city and burger prices range from $13.95 to $25 at the top end.
Please leave suggestions for great burger places in the comments section at the end. What's the most unusual combo you've found?
Here’s where to find your burger fix- updated Jan 2015
They had me at the mention of a charcoal bun (photo above), but when I realised it was inspired by one of the Queensland Art Gallery's works on display, the deal was sealed. So that's how I came to eat a Wolken Burger - black bun filled with a black angus meat patty, a layer of jamon plus obligatory burger basics such as lettuce and tomato, all brought together with black mayo and Monterey Jack cheese at QAG Cafe. It's called the Wolken Burger and it has been inspired by Michael Sailstorfer Wolken's work Clouds, on show until May 24.Best tip: Check out Future Beauty - 30 years of Japanese Fashion at GOMA and Undressed: 350 Years of Underwear in Fashion at Queensland Museum after you eat your burger.
The juice started dripping through my fingers and I was hooked on Chur burger. Tender pulled pork, crunchy red slaw, creamy mayonnaise with a touch of fennel and Chur's own barbecue sauce. It was good, but even better when I looked at the price of $10 - now that's going to make a few of the other local burger joints think about their prices.
Best tip: Go in the evening and check out the night life at roof top bar Up, on the roof level of Chur.
Cream cheese on a burger? I could understand (but omit) the caramelised onions, tick yes to the grilled chicken and bacon, but cream cheese just wasn't working for me on the Cabassi & Co roll menu.
After one bite, I stand corrected. Cream cheese, where ever it was on my roll, was an admirable addition to one of life's great burgers. Cabassi & Co is on the bottom level of the renovated and revamped Indooroopilly Shopping Centre's Gourmet Fresh precinct. That's almost opposite the duelling Woolworths and Coles supermarkets, near the Moggill Road entrance.
Best tip: Head to Koko Black, also at Indooroopilly, for dessert for a memorable chocolate-themed dessert.
Ribs&Burgers in James Street has quality burgers at a quality price and the crowds are loving it. Only problem is you'll want to have the ribs as well as the burgers here.
Best tip: go hungry and eat both.
Philip Johnson knows food and if the owner of e'cco decides to make burgers I'm there. The Don burger from Johnson's Howzat Burgers at Eat Street Markets is so worth a bite. During the week you can enjoy the burgers at Howzat in the CBD.
Best tip: Head to the markets for food but take extra spending money as there's plenty of great stuff to buy as well.
Designed for the ultimate gourmet burger fan, Pony effort includes a double serving of beef (320g), double cheddar, pickles and mustard $24. Enjoy it all with one of Brisbane's best river views from Eagle Street Pier.
Best tip: Finish with a Pony ice block - Negroni or Pina Colada are my picks.
At South Bank, Cove has a selection of burgers priced around $25, that will almost take your attention away from the river view. Try their chicken caesar burger burger or harrisa fish burger with zucchini chips but my money is on the steak burger which goes back to burger origins with beetroot and pineapple as inclusions.
Best tip: Walk off your burger with a long stroll along the riverside board walk.
Statler and Waldorf Gastronomy Pub in Caxton Street have a ham hock burger with roasted pineapple, pickle, mayo, tomato and chips for $20. They bake their own bread daily in house and use seasonal produce, local when it's better and ethical where viable. They also have their own bees on the roof top.
Best tip: Add some candied bacon and brussell sprouts if you dare.
Milk Cafe at Ashgrove serve an all day breakfast burger which comes topped with an egg and accompanied by their wicked chips an aoli for bargain $15.50.
Best tip: Check out their dessert cabinet for delectable caramel pies.
Browse my other top ten lists
Kerry Heaney