Melbourne production duo Leisure Suite, know a lot about two things: 1) how to create some of the dreamiest, electronic gems in Australia right now aaaand 2) Burgers, more specifically the best burgers in Melbourne and where to find them.
Brought together by a mutual love of fried food and J Dilla the two piece have just unveiled their new single ‘Feel’ and it’s a tropical tinged, soul-swathed electronic pop trip, and the second taste of their upcoming second EP.
To celebrate the release of ‘Feel’ and their upcoming appearance at Paradise this weekend, the duo have put together a list of ‘burgers and beats’ – the best burger joints in Melbourne and the music that best suits each.
Big Boy BBQ
Richmond & Melbourne CBD
Beat: ‘Kitties’ by Samiyam
Big Boy BBQ make the filthiest, most delicious beef brisket burgers. Each table is equipped with (at least) one entire roll of ultra-absorbent paper towels, which is totally genius and absolutely necessary.
Naturally, a Big Boy burger is best served with a beat as filthy and satisfying as the food itself. Cat noises aside, Samiyam has you covered.(Bridgette)
Fancy Hank’s BBQ
456 Queen St, Melbourne
Beat: ‘Hold My Love’ by Sex on Toast
Picture this: It’s reached that part of the movie where the main character and his heroine burger are about to engage in a sloppy, heartfelt pash. Tension has been rising – every second of painstaking social-foreplay and plot development has amassed to this very moment. The protagonist has been thinking about this for a long time…aaaaand cue Sex on Toast’s ‘Hold my Love’.
This is a vivid insight into the majority of my burger encounters, and I feel like this track would provide the perfect soundtrack every time. Pairing Fancy Hank’s tender, slow-cooked beef sandwiches with a sultry slow-jam just seems to make sense. (Mitch)
8-Bit Burger
8 Droop St, Footscray
Beat: ‘Certified’ by Guru (feat. Bilal)
I have a love/hate relationship with this place. I live about a 5-minute walk from 8-Bit and I feel a sharp twang of guilt every time I go back. You can never just order the burger alone either (I hate when people do that). It’s pretty much a condition upon entry to load up on the oiliest serve of onion rings this side of the Maribyrnong – not to mention a salted caramel ‘shake to wash the shame away.
Their fried chicken burger is the best and the wait is always worth it. The other great thing about this place is that being in Footscray, there’s no air of pretention, so you can comfortably get as messy as you please. Truth be told, you’re likely to be seated next to a smiling 60-year-old Vietnamese woman mildly confused as to where she is.
Place is certified. (Bridgette)
B.East
80 Lygon St, Brunswick East
Beat: ‘So Into You’ by Tamia
You never forget your first love… the smell of their perfume, your first kiss…
Well, for me, my first love was a burger from the one and only B.East. My first experience is simply a blur of meat and cheese – all I really remember is willfully clogging my arteries and loving every second of it.
Only makes sense to pair these burgs with a cheesy 90’s RnB hit. (Mitch)
Operator 25
25 Wills St, Melbourne
Beat: ‘Keep On Loving Me’ by Onra
Tucked away in a little laneway in the city is a small Thai influenced brunch hotspot. If I’m craving a burger, but can’t deal with the crippling guilt and self-loathing that comes with an ultra-greasy comfort meal – this is the place. They only have one burger on their menu, but it’s so good that I always come back for more.
Taking influences from Korea and Japan, they do a Wagyu beef patty on a bed of kimchi with kewpi mayo wedged between two glorious milk buns. If that’s not good enough, it even comes with a huge side of deep fried Korean potatoes (I don’t know what Korean potatoes different/special, but they are damn taystee)
You want that burger to keep on loving you. (Bridgette)
Rude Boy Burger
482 Albion St, Brunswick West
Beat: ‘Ready for your Love’ by The Harpoons
This place just opened up around the corner from my house. When I try any new burger I’m always pretty cautious at first. However, I tried one of their burgs a few nights ago and I just wanted to say that Rude Boy, I’m ready for your love!
KFC
Everywhere
Beat: ‘Hot In Herre’ by Nelly
And on the complete opposite side of Operator 25 is my guilty pleasure, KFC. In fact, I think I’m probably past the guilt by now. Generally speaking though, if you do want to hate yourself after having a burger, then this is the place for you. Every time I order a large Zinger combo (w/ no lettuce because what’s the point, let’s be honest here), I feel my arteries constrict and my body temperature rise, leaving me a sweaty mess of a person that shouldn’t be allowed in public.
Always a hot, sweaty mess. (Bridgette)
Honourable/Regrettable Mention…
Shebeen
36 Manchester Ln, Melbourne
Beat: ‘Baby Come Back’ by Player
Not technically a burger, but the same premise I guess. I really just wanted to take the opportunity to express my deep sadness towards the discontinuation of the Pork Belly Banh Mi at Shebeen. I was wrong to take you for granted, so I’m dedicating Player’s ‘Baby Come Back’ to you with the hope that one day we’ll be reunited again.
