Mocha Jo’s | Ripponlea

The Verdict

We never thought we’d see the day...Mocha Jo’s is opening a second burger bar outside Glen Waverley. What a world we live in...

If you’re not familiar with these guys, they’ve been feeding Glen Waverley locals since before the invention of the wheel. Mocha Jo’s started as a cafe and eatery in the days when Gloria Jean’s was haute cuisine. In 2015 they added a dedicated burger bar out the back—just a window and three outdoor tables really, but the burgers are damn good.

Now they’re bringing that American-style burger concept to Ripponlea (you know it’s American when they describe the soft drinks as ‘sodas’). They’ve taken over the old Lot 3 building, directly opposite Ripponlea station and Burnett Grey Gardens. That evening commute just got a little bit harder...

The Ripponlea Mocha Jo’s is bigger than the original—a proper 40-seat diner, open seven days a week. The menu hasn’t changed much. You can still get a cracking selection of Wagyu beef burgers, grilled or fried chicken burger, veggie stacks, once-you-pop-you-can’t-stop sides and cheek-puckering thickshakes.

For first-timers, we’d recommend something simple like The MJ’s. A gnarly crisp beef patty, American cheddar, lettuce, tomato, pickles, bacon and MJ Sauce. Pretty standard stuff, but well executed.

People with a few more burgers under their belt (guilty as charged) should probably tackle The Mac n’ Cheese: a panko-crumbed mac patty, beef, double cheese, lettuce, mustard, pickles, jalapenos and brown onion jam. It’s a belt-busting mouthful.

Veggos, Mocha Jo’s has you well looked after. You can rock panko-crumbed veggie patties, mac n’ cheese croquette burgers, or sweet potato patties.

For sides, a “Handful Of Chips” usually gets the job done (they’re cut thick, the way we like ‘em), but the popcorn chicken is pretty hard to pass up. Comes with a zingy Sriracha mayo (because what’s the point in tanking a diet if you’re not gonna do it properly.

Mocha Jo’s is licenced, but don’t expect a big wine cellar. They stock a handful of mainstream beer and cider (Somersby, Bud Light, Corona etc). Personally we prefer the thickshakes—you can even pay an extra $1 to make them “Extra Thick”. We highly recommend doing this.

Ripponlea, pop on your stretchy pants and paint the town red. 

Image credit: Jenna Fahey-White