Townsvilleeye
Global Burgers Review: Shari tagliabue
It couldn’t have been better timing. Just as hunger pangs were becoming audible, and the regular lunchtime options of heart attack-friendly instant gratification versus ‘something including vitamins’ were canvassed, the news that a new burgery ad opened in buzzy Gregory Street caused a veritable stampede for the door.
With no exceptions except the quelling of the aforementioned hunger situation, jaws dropped considerably on entering the swish local addition to the Gold Coast-based franchise.
Upholstered red booth seating and funky timber bar settings were a pleasant change from the no-frills, no-padding type of seating you are usually expected to endure if you are in the mood for burger; possibly due to the hope that the more uncomfortable the seat, the sooner you will depart, freeing up the space.
We queued to place our order, bedazzled by the array of larger illuminated geographical burger options displayed on the walls, egged on by the slogan, “eat the world”. Also large and illuminated was the drinks fridge, featured imported and local beers, wines, Cruisers, soft drinks and juices. Hell-o, now we’re talking.
Although impressed with the wine options (Oxford Landing sauv. Blanc, $6.50 glass, Poets Corner Shiraz 187ml bottle $7.50), we decided beer was the appropriate accompaniment. Armed with a bottle of Stella Artois, ($7), we settled into a cosy booth with views to the frenetic grill activity. The burgers are all $9.90m and are also available as a gourmet salad but we went for the bun option, figuring carbs were the least of our vices.
Our chips arrived early ($3 half, $4 full, whatever that means), but were a handy distraction as we watched burgers flying off the grill, just not in our direction. When they did arrive, there were oohs and aahs aplenty as we tucked in.
The Bombay Burger, “Tikka marinated chicken fillets with lettuce, cucumber, mayo, tomato, minted yogurt and lime mango chutney” was heavenly. The marinated chicken was a real fillet, split to allow more surfaces on the frill, my request to hold the mayo was no problem, leaving the yogurt and chutney to add just the right amount of saucing.
The second selection, Wellington Burger, “Ground lamb fillet with mint relish, potato fritter, lettuce, tomato, cheese and garlic mayonnaise” was just as well received.
A super-thick beef rissole, tender on the outside, made a substantial and satisfying meal, the mint relish and potato fritter inventive accompaniments.
The final selection was nearly the vegetarian option, the Morocco burger; a spiced chickpea fritter but the Bangkok Burger won out: “Thai chilli chicken with coriander, tomato and sweet chilli sauce”.
Tasty, fresh fare, with the coriander lifting what was already a fabulous burger to another level and did I mention the buns?
Imported from the Gold Coast, they are the real bread rolls, toasted on the inside, and with just enough crispy crust not to rip up the roof of your mouth, a far cry from the soft, sugar-filled buns that are taking over the burger world, creating generations of young burger fans oblivious to sugar-free carbs.
All meals are presented on larger white platters, and with fresher than fresh salad ingredients, it is a fast food option that doesn’t feel, look or taste like fast food.
With take-aways doing a roaring trade when we visited, the only problem Global Burgers is likely to encounter is keeping up with demand.
Global Burgers 4772 2856
Gregory Street, North Ward
Open: 11am-11pm daily
Parking: on street or car park across the road
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