The Sydney Morning Herald logo
Advertisement

Just Open: Brooklyn Depot Burgers & Brew, Surry Hills

Lee Tran Lam
Lee Tran Lam

On offer? American-style burgers with booze.
On offer? American-style burgers with booze.Supplied

Brooklyn Depot Burgers & Brew opens in Surry Hills on May 25 - but this (deep-fried, special-sauce-splashed) taste of the Big Apple comes courtesy of the Gold Coast, not the US.

"We always planned to open in Sydney after testing the market at the Gold Coast, it was part of our vision from the start," says Jonah Roberman, Brooklyn Depot Burgers & Brew's general manager.

And while the joint may be Australian, it definitely has an American attitude. The menu includes the Fuhgeddaboutit! ($15), which jams onion rings and beef chilli between the patty-filled buns and includes a choice of "lethal injection hot sauce" (options are mild, medium, hot, or the devil-may-care Fuhgeddaboudit); the Wisenheimer ($13) is a smart-alec mix of slow-cooked pork belly with truffle mayo and a green apple slaw; there's even a Thanksgiving-channelling Filthy Pilgrim ($15), which riffs on the American holiday staples and turns out a monster burger with turkey breast, cranberry mayo, roast potato and garlic patty, a crumble of herbed stuffing and some diet-breaking melted brie, too.

You can also "Brooklynise" your choice of fries (+$4) and turn them into so-called Garbage fries, to be "trashed" with bacon, cheese, onion strings and battered-and-fried pickles.

The interiors will also take its cues from the US as well. "You'll have to wait until we open, but expect American pennies, poker chips and a bit of Jay Z and Beyoncé thrown in for good measure."

Burgers are generously stacked with buttermilk chicken thigh fillets, deep-fried pork belly and other big fillings.
Burgers are generously stacked with buttermilk chicken thigh fillets, deep-fried pork belly and other big fillings.Supplied
Advertisement

The original Surfers Paradise outlet opened only a year ago, but has already become a cult favourite and been name-checked for having one of the Gold Coast's best burgers. The local appetite for the American-cheese-stacked patties is pretty sizeable. When the venue gave out 1700 of its Brooklyn Classic burgers on its first birthday, "the line ran to the end of the street and around the block", says Roberman. "Our kitchen managed to pump out nearly six burgers per minute to serve everyone as quickly as possible. It was pretty special to see so many people lining up just to get one of our burgers!"

The food menu for Surry Hills is the same as the Gold Coast, although local specials are on the cards; plus, "we have created a new cocktail list just for Sydney", says Roberman.

So in a city where you can get fries with anything, how will this Surfers Paradise brand stand out?

"We set out to create a unique American dining experience with a really great bar and atmosphere to match ... making it one of the only spots you can enjoy a top-notch burger and a good Old Fashioned rum at the same time, just like any corner of Brooklyn itself," says Roberman.

Open daily 11am-late.

65 Holt Street, Surry Hills, 02 9211 2255, brooklyndepot.com.au

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.

Sign up

From our partners

Advertisement
Advertisement