I haven’t blogged about eating out in a really really long time. Partially because I don’t really eat out that often any more, but mainly because: Two Kids. Actually, it’s all because: Two Kids. But y’all know how much I love a good burger, and with Jack’s Newtown around the corner from me, what else am I to do but go eat one and blog about it?
Jack’s opened a couple of weeks ago and said that they were bringing a Shake Shack style burger to Sydney. Now, Shake Shack holds a very special place in my heart, not because I still think they have the best burgers anywhere in the world, but when Panu and I got married, we celebrated with Shake Shack. Yes we did.
I’ve been waiting and waiting for a Shake Shack style burger to hit Sydney. There are a few good burger joints now – such as Burger Project – but when I heard that upon opening, Jack’s had queues around the block, I knew they were onto a good thing. We tried to go a couple of times in the early evening, showing up about half an hour before opening time but the queues were already down the street. With two kids (including one hungry toddler), we couldn’t wait.
So on Sunday, when they opened for a lunch service at 12pm, I planned my little Virgo butt off and sent Panu to a nearby park with Sam while Sofi and I arrived at Jack’s 45 minutes early. YES I WANTED A BURGER THAT BADLY. I was first in line (wooh!) and for a while there wasn’t a queue and I started to feel a little silly. But by 11.45am, the queues were all the way down the street again so thank goodness, my over-keenness was justified 😉
We got in, ordered three cheeseburgers and a side of crinkle cut fries. Sadly the frozen custard wasn’t available on Sunday.
The burgers are so good. Soft buns, juicy top-quality patty, lettuce, tomato, melty cheese and a delicious sauce. That’s all there is to it and that’s all you need! The patty is thicker and juicier than Shake Shack’s (which isn’t a bad thing!) but other than that, it is spot on. Jack’s menu is short and focused – you can get the cheeseburger (optional onion and/or bacon), double cheeseburger (which, with the thick patties, looks a little too hectic for me), and a veggie burger.
Jack’s initially planned to open from 12pm to close every day, but with their incredible popularity, they’ve maxxed out their freezer and storage space so have reduced their opening hours to mainly evenings (5pm onwards), and still managing to churn out upward of 600 burgers before turning a disappointed queue away. I’m hoping they can find a solution to their freezer situation soon so we can have burger goodness all day errrday.
For updated opening hours, follow their Instagram.
Now, happy dance that we’re finally getting awesome burgers in Sydney, anyone?
Jack’s Newtown
170 Missenden Road
Newtown, NSW, 2042