I was in the CBD recently, and despite the pouring rain, started walking up Bourke Street, heading to a place that I have been wanting to try for so long – “Grand Trailer Park Taverna” on the corner of Bourke and Exhibition Streets in the city. Despite the pouring rain, and no umbrella, I was determine to get there. This place has been designed by the same person responsible for Dandenong Pavillion and Royal Stacks, so I was pleased to be finally trying this place out.
As soon as I walked in, I was hit with the funkiness of the place. After walking up the dark stairs that are lit up with fluro lights and stars above, the main eating area is filled with wooden picnic tables and caravan / trailer themed booths around the outside. It was Friday lunchtime, and it was packed, which was a good sign. The only thing missing was Yogi Bear stealing “pic-a-nic baskets”.
There are plenty of burgers to choose from, and whilst I was tempted to try the “McDowell” burger to compare against the Dandenong Pavillion experience, I couldn’t go past the “KSA” burger, especially as though it stated, “where it all began”. The burger is loaded with premium Aussie beef patty, American cheddar cheese, tomato, butter lettuce, special burger sauce and American mustard on a toasted brioche bun. I threw in some bacon for good measure too!!
It arrived on a paper lined, silver tray and looked the goods! First bite was awesome! The meat was so tasty, and the flavours of everything else were spot on. The special sauce reminded me of Big Mac sauce, and I wondered if it was the same as their “McDowell sauce” or not?! Not that it really mattered – it tasted great, and adding bacon was a good move as it provided some crispy texture to work against the other ingredients. The bun was really good too and withstood the pressure of the burger. Plus it was the perfect size, especially for lunch, although I couldn’t help but wonder if I should have added a second patty?! The only thing I didn’t like was the two enormously thick slices of tomato. Luckily the meat, etc was tasty enough to balance it all out and not let the tomato take over the entire affair.
Chips on the side were nothing flash, and this time I enjoyed washing it all down with a pint of James Squires Chancer Ale – ahhhhhh! Life was good!
This was a really good burger and definitely worth visiting and getting your mouth around one.
