Catch Ups at Burger Project

Catch Ups at Burger Project, Parramatta:
Shop 1-2, 134-140 Marsden street, Parramatta NSW 2150.

I find that the best catch-ups are those with good friends and scrumptious food. This time, me and Hai caught up with Lisa and Sang at Burger Project in Parramatta.
With the exciting menu in view, I ordered the cheese burger (my go-to burger and at $10.50) - grass fed beef, cheese, onions, pickles, tomato and lettuce. I also got the Sichuan pepper salted chips ($5.90 for large) and house-made ice tea ($4).

Burger Project's burgers were generous - packed with juicy patty and grilled cheese and sandwiched in a nice soft bun. I couldn't detect much sichuan in the chips, but they were still fresh and crisp. I usually like to drink an ice cold fizzy Coke with my burgers, but the ice tea was delicious. With a sweet lemon flavour, it was a surprising upgrade to my usual Coke.

For Dessert, we indulged in the Soft Serve range, which were $5.90 each. We got the Bounty Hunter and Nuts about Chocolate. Bounty was creamy vanilla bean ice cream topped with chocolate sauce, coconut and toasted meringue (yum) and Nuts about Chocolate was chocolate ice cream topped with praline and white chocolate (double yum!).

On average, our meals cost about $20 per person and I was stuffed by my last bite. I couldn't even remember what we talked about during our catch-up (I think we discussed how absurd weddings costs are and how boring work can be). But I know we really appreciated our burgers, giving the appropriate amount of "hmms" and "ahhs" while we ate. Thanks to Burger Project for making delicious burgers.

A Food Diary: Superior Burger in Wakely

A Food Dairy: Superior Burger. Shop 5, Bulls Road Wakely, NSW 2176

Just ten minutes from my own home, is a new joint called Superior Burger. Sitting with the local shops is a standard looking takeaway front with 'Superior Burger' signs plastered all over the glass.
Inside, the decor is far from any local takeaway shop I've been to. Pink flamingos and plants adorn the counter, black and white signage everywhere, and the menu on vintage interchangeable letter boards. 'The Best in the West' adorns the wall in pink and yellow neon light signage.

I ordered 'The Bird' burger - dorito fried chicken with cheese, slaw, jalapeno and mayo ($18) and a Large Fries ($7) that was wrapped in butchers' paper. Hai ordered the 2 piece Fried Chicken with pickles ($6) and Beer battered Potato Scallops ($2 each).
My friends ordered the Hot & Sticky Wings ($12 for 4 piece), the potato scallops, The Cheeseburger with beef patty, pickles, onion, tomato and cheese sauce ($16) and large fries.

The American style food is such a nice change especially since its out here in Western Sydney. The portions are huge, I especially love that the chips were served old school style, wrapped in paper just like how my mom used to do.
The food is delicious - like the dorito chicken in The Bird and the gooey cheese sauce in the burgers. I especially love the use of simple white bread buns and not some fancy smancy brioche buns. The chicken is juicy and tender and the chips seasoned perfectly (no need for sauce!). And to top it off, the burgers are served in boxes and cups with 'Superior Burger' stickers on them.

We polished off the meal with Soft Serve of the week ($7) - house made Apple Strudel with vanilla ice cream and Cookies and Cream Macaroon ice cream sandwich ($7). Definitely a satisfying way to end an American inspired meal in good ol' Wakely. Come down for a generous and satisfying feed, it is worth the drive down.

Waffle Burgers at The Factoria, Wetherill Park

The Factoria, 1003-1009 Canley Vale Road, Wetherill Park NSW 2164. All photos taken by me, on my Canon 70D DSLR.

Once in a while, I come a across a hidden gem in Western Sydney. Situated next to the quirky and classy Italian restaurant Grano, The Factoria offers a laid back atmosphere serving up coffees, pastries and a dedicated breakfast, brunch and lunch menu.
Me and Hai visited on a lazy Sunday morning, right after one of my morning gym sessions. Thinking I deserved more than a mere salad I opted for the Waffle burger and Hai the Bricklayer.

The Waffle Burger, came out with crispy bacon drizzled with bourbon maple syrup, melted cheese, and a juicy beef patty all sandwiched between two waffles. I devoured it, as I've never had a waffle burger and maple syrup bacon - and I'm always one for trying new foods (except if I'm in a Japanese restaurant then I tunnel vision towards Japanese Curry).

Hai's Bricklayer Burger was made up of two brioche buns, fried bacon strips, potato hash brown, tomato relish, red onion and topped with a fried egg. He was not disappointed with his choice as he washed it down with The Factoria's iced coffee.

It was a nice morning, the sunlight streamed in and highlighted all the sweet details of this restaurant. The decor had a pleasant 50's and 60's vibe, with retro furnishing and industrial finishes in the ceiling and shelving.
The Factoria also stocks soaps, local and imported pastas, jams, oils, honeys, biscuits - all the good stuff. Just another added bonus. Also, if you don't feel like a heavy lunch, they also offer gelato, cronuts, Italians cakes, and a huge range of coffees and teas to satisfy the sweet tooth.

The Factoria - opens until 4pm on weekdays and 10pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.