Betty’s Burgers

The depths of the hot season make Melburnians want for the beach – the certain feel, the deep relaxation that comes with dedicating your time to nothing but sun, sand and surf. This year, we’ve got lucky as Betty’s Burgers have just brought their old-school, summertime feel to our brilliant city.

A nod to the infamous Betty Wallace, who sold $1 Betty’s Burgers from a sandwich shop in Noosa, Betty’s has just opened in the Melbourne CBD, on the corner of Flinders and Elizabeth Street. The space is designed similarly to the Queensland sites, with a brightly painted, weathered shack motif to bring the coastal vibe to the city.

The no-fuss menu features just seven selections of burgers. Meat lovers are catered for with a classic beef (either dressed in a bun or ‘bare’), crispy chicken or pork belly, and vegetarians covered with the shroom. Kids can get in on the action with a smaller version of Betty’s Classic, and if you’ve arrived hungry, stretch your sides with a classic stack: a combination of the classic and the shroom.

All the usual suspect sides are on offer, from fries to onion rings, salads to sauces, shakes to ciders. The massive draw card for Betty’s is the house-made Concrete ice cream; frozen custard blended extra thick with some of Betty’s favourite recipes. Choose from chocolate or vanilla and pick from the menu of delights, such as peanut butter brittle or almond toffee marshmallow, or design your own concrete and go mix in mad.

A touch that most restaurants, much less burger joints, miss out on is relatable service. At Betty’s, the service is reflected in the environment: down to earth, approachable, genuine, with a staff member to greet you as you walk in the door and taking your order before they show you to your table.

The owner and driver of Betty’s, David Hales, comes from a hospitality background, having owned and ran a number of restaurants in Hobart. His move to Noosa to get a small start-up going turned into the phenomenon you see today: four eateries across Queensland and Melbourne, with plans for more in the future. The brand has become so famous, they even have their own merchandise, offering t-shirts, hats and even infant onesies.

Betty’s Melbourne is already famous for the line snaking down Elizabeth Street, and the venue doesn’t take bookings, but Hales has brought the laidback beach mindset to Melbourne and endeavours to have everyone seated in less than seven minutes.

Grab your burger, shake and sundae and look out to the bustling city motions from the relaxed seaside setting. The real world will seem miles away!

Betty’s Burgers 
97 Flinders Street, Melbourne
Open 7 days a week, 10am to 10pm, Friday till 11pm
bettysburgers.com.au