Burger Shurger

The Verdict

Forget everything you thought you knew about burgers...and Indian food. Because Burger Shurger is here to check your burger privilege.

Melbourne has always specialised in American-style burgers—meaty stacks, covered in Jack cheese or US cheddar, and let’s face it, probably smothered in chipotle aioli. And there’s nothing wrong with those. But if you’re after a good fusion burger, or something that’s gonna push the culinary boundaries of what’s possible between two slices of bread, your options are limited (Kung Fu Burger in South Yarra is a delicious exception).

Well now we have Burger Shurger, an Indian-burger-curry hybrid in Elsternwick that actually tastes pretty damn amazing. It makes sense really: a good burger is all about balance, the meat with the fresh, the crunch and the texture. And Indian is a cuisine that holds a flamethrower in one hand, while offering papadums and raita with the other. These guys just added a bun.  

‘Shurger’ loosely translates as ‘stuff’, and there’s a lot of stuff on the menu. Including a few stacks you would not expect from an Indian joint. For instance, you won’t find many beef curries in India, but the guys behind Burger Shurger still have three on the menu. Really though, you should head straight for the Mighty Butter Chicken burger, which is exactly what it sounds like—fried spiced chicken, topped with housemade butter chicken sauce, yogurt, mint chutney and slaw. It goes down surprisingly well with a side of seasoned Masala fries.

Other highlights include the vegetarian range (another advantage of taking the Indian-burger route). There’s the obligatory mushroom burger, but the Say Cheese (crispy-fried paneer patty) and curried Vada Pav with coriander and mint are way more interesting. In fact we’re gonna call it and say this might be Melbourne’s best veggo-friendly burger bar.

Burger Shurger is licenced, and you’ll find a curious beer list—think Weinstaphner wheat beer alongside Dainton Draught and Corona. You’ve also got a few local wines and basic spirits. And seriously, anyone who comes to a burger bar and orders a Johnny Walker Black is someone we want to get to know better.

If you love good burgers and good Indian food, put your hands together. Burger Shurger have achieved the impossible. 

Image credit: Burger Shurger