Pitstop Hamburgers

Behind the Thora General Store, midway between Bellingen and Dorrigo, you’ll find Pitstop Hamburgers—an old-school roadside burger shop from fine-dining chef Giuseppe and his partner Gemma.

It started as a simple, community-focused project, but it's grown into one of the best food stops in the valley: built on honest ingredients, a deliberately small menu, and a warm, come-as-you-are approach.

“In the heart of the valley, surrounded by cattle farms, it just felt right to open an old-school roadside hamburger shop,” Giuseppe tells Urban List.

“It’s about simple food done well, served in a welcoming space for everyone. This place isn't about accolades—this is about bringing back some of those core principles from the old days."

That stripped-back thinking carries straight through to the menu, which is a whopping three items long. 

“The menu is tight by design,” Giuseppe explains.

“We do only our signature dishes—one double cheeseburger, crinkle cut fries cooked in beef tallow, and vanilla milkshakes."

"A tight menu keeps prices fair and quality high. Nothing wasted. Nothing tired. All our focus goes into doing three things right—and you can taste it.”

And yes, he’s serious about the idea of standing for something.

“I’m inspired by family-run places that have spent years doing one thing well—never chasing trends, never straying from what they believe in,” he says.

“When you come to Pitstop, you’re choosing to step into my house. I cook one way, to the best of my ability, and I hope to share what I believe makes a great meal: a proper burger, good fries, and a milkshake done right, with country tunes in the background."

The space itself is part of that story. Pitstop is currently operating from a deck tucked behind the town’s post office and general store—an unpolished, open-air setup that Giuseppe plans to build on as the business grows.

“We’re located behind the general store in Thora, operating from a deck with plenty of potential,” Giuseppe tells us.

“It’s a little rough around the edges and could use some sanding and paint, but first we need to earn our way there. As the business grows, we’ll reinvest and restore the deck to its former glory.”

It’s a true two-person operation. Giuseppe runs the kitchen, while Gemma leads the design and socials—and jumps on the fryer when things get busy.

“It’s just the two of us running Pitstop,” he explains.

“My girlfriend handles all the design, social media, and online presence—on top of her full-time work as a freelance graphic designer. When it gets busy, she jumps on the fryer and milkshakes and is absolutely killing it.”

Giuseppe comes from a fine dining background, with over ten years spent working in Michelin-starred and three-hatted restaurants across Europe, the United States, and Australia. And yet, he assures us that flipping burgers for his community is a far more rewarding pursuit. 

“On Sundays, we organise a chess club,” he says.

“All ages and levels are welcome. Whether you're new to the game or have played for years, you'll find a friendly seat here. Sit down, shake hands, and make your next best move.”

No gimmicks, no menu bloat—just a burger shop that knows exactly what it wants to be, and isn't afraid to show it. 

Image credit: Pitstop Hamburgers | Supplied