Five Hidden Places To Get An Amazing Burger In Sydney If You Missed Out On In-N-Out Today

Sydney went burger-crazy earlier today, after American fast-food chain In-N-Out Burger briefly opened a pop-up store at Surry Hills’ Dead Ringer bar. Hundreds of people lined up for hours in the heat, special wristbands were distributed once they ran out of food, and news outlets rushed to cover the one-time-only burger frenzy before it was gone forever.

There are about 150 people queuing for In-N-Out; people at the end are being told they’ve ran out, and are nonetheless continuing to queue

— Elle Hunt (@mlle_elle) January 20, 2016

Sydney, I am not proud of you today. This is the line for the In-N-Out popup, via @SydneyTimeOut pic.twitter.com/IxMeALOe7u — Josh Butler (@JoshButler) January 20, 2016

Unless you were lucky, dedicated or both, chances are you missed out on the opportunity to chow down on the burger Sydney’s gone crazy for. But worry not! We know a thing or two about burgers in Sydney, and there are plenty of delicious, healthy options for someone who needs their fix if you know where to look — and unlike the pop-up store, most of them are here to stay! Here are five of our favourites.

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Stanmore McDonald’s

Conveniently located on scenic Parramatta Road, “Stanno Maccas,” as it’s affectionately known, has something to satisfy even the pickiest burger fan’s cravings. Their Quarter Pounder range is a good go-to for beginners, and can easily be scaled up into Double for even Triple Quarter Pounders if you’re super hungry. Their patented breakfast muffins, meanwhile, are causing a big buzz among Sydney’s hip young elite.

They’ve even recently started riffing on the traditional burger concept, introducing bold new recipes like chicken and fish burgers that are really raising eyebrows. If you’re feeling extra-adventurous, though, their signature ‘Big Mac’ dish comes with a twist: a burger with another bun inside the burger! Eat your heart out, Heston Blumenthal!

It’s not just the burgers that make Stanmore McDonald’s so special, though. Every hand-crafted burger comes with a serve of fries and a drink of your choice, their range of desserts and sweets can’t be beat, and they even have takeaway and drive-thru options if you’re on the go. Plus, if you’re up for a full Sydney experience, you might be lucky enough to witness a real-life gunfight in the carpark. Bright lights, big city!

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Hungry Jack’s, Pitt Street

A must-visit first stop on the long journey home for late-night revellers, Hungry Jack’s Pitt Street combines the glitz and glamour of Sydney after dark with a warm, old-style diner feel. Whether you’re looking for a place to cool your heels after a night on the town or somewhere to get into a drunken punch-up at 4am, Hungry Jack’s Pitt Street has something for the whole family.

Just a stone’s throw from several major train stations, trendy nightclubs and police rapid-response teams, this underappreciated gem serves hearty, no-nonsense burgers that’ll fill the hole in your stomach and put a smile on your face. Our personal favourite? Their exotic ‘Whopper’ range, a unique fusion of unlikely ingredients that have to be seen to be believed. Onion AND pickles? What’ll they think of next?!

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Ready Go Eat Burgers, Woolworths

A much-loved local favourite, Ready Go Eat burgers have become a staple of Sydney’s thriving “foodie” culture. If you’ve seen a gorgeously laid-out creation on Instagram that looks like it should be served to the Royal Family, chances are you’ve stumbled across a Ready Go Eat burger.

Tastefully packaged in an understated single-serve cardboard box, Ready Go Eat burgers somehow combine deliciousness with convenience; a quick 90 seconds in the microwave, and you’ve got a mouthwatering meal ready to go! We recommend the classic Ready Go Eat cheeseburger, their take on a simple recipe that somehow beats the competition hands-down. Why mess with perfection?

If there’s one criticism to make of Ready Go Eat, it’s that they sometimes forget the burger’s humble roots and try to turn it into something it’s not. Who ever heard of tomato relish on a burger? Tone it down, guys; we’re not at the Ritz here!

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My Nana’s Rissoles

Located a mere eight-hour drive from the Sydney CBD in picturesque Coonabarabran, my Nana’s rissoles combine prime grass-fed beef, delicately chopped onions, flour, and probably some other shit to produce a mouthwatering experience your tastebuds won’t soon forget.

Whether served alongside her signature microwave-broiled green beans, inside a plain white bun from Woolworths with Heinz tomato sauce leaking through it, or eaten straight out of a Tupperware container by the side of the road somewhere between Mudgee and Dunedoo, my Nana’s rissoles are a rare culinary experience that deserve their own Michelin star. Go on, take a bite. She was up all night making these before you arrived! What do you mean you ate in the car? Don’t you want to show Nana how much you love her? Why don’t you call anymore?

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An Ibis Sandwiched Between Two Pieces Of Bread

Right now you’re probably feeling pretty spoiled for choice: who knew there were so many great burger options in Sydney, hidden away right under your nose?But if you want the quintessential Sydney dining experience, you can’t go past the burger that put Sydney on the map: an ibis sandwiched between two pieces of bread.

We know, we know: it couldn’t get any more touristy than this. It’s such a cliche, right? Everyone comes to Sydney for the same reasons: see the Opera House, go to Bondi Beach, eat an ibis sandwiched between two pieces of bread. But even tourists get it right sometimes, and in this case, the hype is justified.

It’s an Aussie tradition, like AFL Grand Final Day, or cricket in the backyard. Everyone remembers that one birthday they had as a kid, when Mum and Dad took you out for a special dinner and you got to order your very first ibis sandwiched between two pieces of bread. It’s more than a tradition; it’s a rite of passage.

There’s really no way to describe a burger this perfect, and that means so much to so many people. You just have to take everyone’s advice, and try it for yourself.

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Feature image via punctuated on a Flickr Creative Commons licence.