Reliable, affordable, sleek and intimate
By Jay Clough
Of the great culinary pairings, be they oysters and champagne, sushi and sake or coffee and toast, few hit with the immediacy of pleasure that burgers and beer do. There’s just something so deeply satisfying about the pair; the physical act of holding the burger, the harmony of carbohydrate, protein and fat, and the refreshing, cleansing bitterness of cold beer. There are few better places to partake in this pairing than Bruger, WeFo’s intimate Barkly Street abode for burgers and brews.
After undergoing a revamp in 2021 and negotiating the perils of COVID, Bruger has found its feet as not only a reliable and affordable takeaway option, but as a surprisingly sleek and intimate date night venue. Inside is dimly lit, sheer curtains and high bar tables giving Bruger a moody speakeasy vibe, and there’s plenty of relaxed dining space outside.
Rotating beers on tap are serviced by country Victorian brewery Mog Brew. Elegantly served in oversized stemmed tulip glassware, the pale ale is grassy, floral and clean, the perfect accompaniment to a snack of crispy fried cheese-stuffed jalapeno poppers.
At an exceedingly affordable $16.50, it’s hard to go past Bruger’s Cheese & Bacon burger if you’re craving an elevated American style cheeseburger, the wagyu beef patty is firm and flavourful, and not as greasy or fatty as some burgers that purport to be wagyu can be. Sauteed leek is a surprising addition to this otherwise classic burger, lending a note of complexity against a backdrop of candied bacon, cheese and pickles
A spicy chicken burger spills out of the boundaries of its bun pleasingly. The giant fried thigh, juicy and nicely seasoned with Chinese 5 spice, is offset by a crunchy slaw, pickled onion and more jalapenos, again good value at $17. Served alongside is a can’t miss alternative to those a bit bored by chips: a steaming, generous pile of roasted and deep fried cauliflower popcorn. Crunchy, salty and fragrant, with the sweet nuttiness of cauliflower, I’d happily return for a plate of these and a beer anytime.
487 Barkly St, Footscray VIC 3011
(03) 9687 1436
bruger.com.au
@theoriginalbruger
