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Brisbane's best burgers

Brisbane's love affair with the now not-so-humble burger continues, with new places opening at cracking place. Here are the standouts.

Ashton Rigg

Pork belly burger at Howzat Burger.
Pork belly burger at Howzat Burger.Supplied

What makes a good burger? Is beetroot a must? Bacon a bonus? Everyone has an opinion but burger connoisseurs concur that that while a good burger doesn't need to be fancy it does need to be made with quality ingredients. Stale buns, limp lettuce or cheap patties just don't cut the mustard in a city that's in full first-love thrall to the humble burger. With new burger joints opening at a cracking pace, contenders are pulling on the gloves and fighting it out for the crown and while we don't want to wager on who'll take that out, here are our top bets for the best burger in town.

Ben's Burgers

Ben's has a limited menu but what they do, they do well – from the BB classic to the BB special and BB veg. Thick, juicy patties slung between glossy buns reach another level when candied bacon is added. Ben's is strictly no alterations, but extras like house-made cola make up for it.

Burger with the lot: The Just Flood It burger at Just Poppy's.
Burger with the lot: The Just Flood It burger at Just Poppy's.Chris Hyde
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5 Winn Street, Winn Lane, Fortitude Valley, (07) 3195 3094, bensburgers.com.au

Chur Burger

After taking Sydney by storm, Chur Burger has brought its epic $10 burgers to a graffitied space below Brisbane's TRYP Hotel. Pulled pork with slaw and fennel mayo is a welcome alternative to classic beef, and a side of sweet potato fries with tangy lime salt is essential.

20 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley, (07) 3319 7890, churburger.com.au

The Flying Cock

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This recently spruced-up watering hole has an extensive menu of pub grub, with burgers a surprising highlight. Namesake poultry burgers are agreeable, but it's the Chickening Out burger that's worth crowing about. A half-pound beef patty sits snuggly in a ketchup and mustard-drenched brioche bun with melty cheese and pickles.

388 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, (07) 3172 6109, theflyingcock.com.au

Gerard's Bar

Better known for its array of charcuterie, stylish nook Gerard's Bar has more cheeses on its menu than it does hearty feeds, but to bypass the wagyu cheeseburger would be foolhardy. The beauty is in the simplicity: nothing but beef, bacon, pickles, cheese, mustard and relish on a torch-scorched bun.

14/15 James Street, Fortitude Valley, (07) 3852 3822, gerardsbar.com.au

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Getta Burger

This parking lot snack bar pumps out colossal eats that will leave you both sticky-handed and satisfied. The sweet, smoked Getta beef brisket is a standout. Jamming fries, cheese and streaky bacon into your burger is not for the faint-hearted. Wash it down with pie blended into a milkshake. Really.

1396 Creek Road, Carina, 0475 377 360, facebook.com/pages/Getta-Burger

Greaser

Slinging American diner-style eats – complete with red basket and greaseproof paper – in an underground dive bar, Greaser is one of Brisbane's hidden gems. The Angus burger is slathered in deep yellow jack cheese with token lettuce and tomato on a soft bun, served with a complimentary side of crinkle-cut fries.

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259A Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, (07) 3648 9036, wearegreaser.com.au

Howzat Burger

When Philip Johnson of e'cco bistro fame started supplying gourmet burgers, lunch lines wrapped around the block. Pork belly with chunky slaw and chipotle mayo (formerly known as the Mexican Wave) is a distinct delicacy, bested only by the Nutella milkshake. These days Howzat also operate at live music venue The Triffid.

510 Adelaide Street, Brisbane City (and other locations), howzatburger.com.au

Just Poppy's

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Spoiled for choice doesn't begin to describe Just Poppy's burger menu. With a jaw-dropping, mouth-watering 69 decisions, this relatively unknown suburban haunt is worth tracking down for an old-school burger experience. The rib-fillet Cowboy burger is a great place to start – tasty but not overwhelming with the addition of spicy kabana.

4/20 Bogong Street, Riverhills, (07) 3376 6418, justpoppys.com.au

Miel Container

A red shipping container plonked in the heart of the CBD is bound to draw attention, but it's the premium, unique flavour combos that keep burger lovers coming back to Miel Container. Miso-smoked pork belly and Korean BBQ are both worthy of a taste test, stacked high on fresh-baked, fluffy brioche rolls.

96 Albert Street, Brisbane City, 0423 466 503, facebook.com/MielContainer

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Red Hook

Skip the golden arches drive-through and pop down the laneway to Red Hook for a swankier version of the archetypal guilty pleasure. Of the three permanent burgers, the timeless Brooklyn Cheeseburger – dressed with a medley of red onions, dill and special sauce – comes out on top, alongside crunchy, moreish battered pickles.

Shop 3, 88 Creek Street (Gresham Lane), Brisbane City, (07) 3220 0462, red-hook.com.au

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