Review: Bangbang Cafe (Surry Hills) remains on the front line in Sydney’s ferocious burger wars

Concealed on Reservoir Street in Surry Hills, Bangbang Café remains a refuge for fresh salads, take-away coffee and gluttonous burgers, a menu which in the past year or so has placed the modest business in prime position on the front line of Sydney’s ongoing burger war. It oozes casual cool from its open, sun-lit shop front to its complete wall-sized chalkboard that teases the menu, blending into that typically laid-back Surry Hills lifestyle.

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Between a breakfast menu that boasts The Stack ($17) – potato rosti topped with wilted spinach, two poached eggs, horseradish hollandaise sauce and crispy bacon, French Toast Croissant ($16) – French toasted croissant served with homemade coconut yoghurt, seasonal fruit, candied nuts and maple syrup and Cured Salmon ($18) – house cured salmon, blanched pea, feta and avocado smash with a poached egg and balsamic glaze, just to name a few, we settled on the vibrant and alluring Cured Salmon on a recent visit.

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An aromatic draft of fresh dill and salmon seduced as it was laid out on the table. The pea, feta and avocado mash was a dense and crunchy addition that complemented the light, airy and smooth salmon that was both salty and sweet. It makes us yearn to return and try the House Cured Salmon Salad ($15) – roquette, cos, green peas, nut medley, Greek yoghurt and maple dressing.

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Having seen Bangbang featured earlier this year at Vivid Live based purely for their burgers, we were excited to get across the selection, stomach space allowing of course. There are six to choose from on the menu:

  • All Star ($14) – Wagyu blend, smoked cheddar, lettuce, tomato and Bang Bang sauce
  • Double Banger ($18)– Double wagyu, double cheese, bacon lettuce, tomato and Bang Bang sauce
  • Fried Chicken ($14)– Buttermilk cornflake fried chicken, sirracha cabbage slaw, lettuce, tomato and aoli
  • Sweetcorn Fritters ($14)– Sweetcorn pattie, red onion marmalade, grilled haloumi, lettuce tomato and garlic mayonnaise
  • Sloppy Joe ($14)– Chilli Con Carne, smoked cheese, lettuce, tomato and aoli
  • The Chainsmoker ($18)– Wagyu blend, smoked pastrami, smoked bacon, smoked cheddar, deep fired jalapenos, lettuce, tomato and smoked hickory BBQ sauce

As the All Star is their most popular item and available for $10 on Fridays, we just had to try the burger of the people. The patty was juicy and soft, and tantalized between a signature BangBang sauce that is a charming hybrid of Big Mac Sauce and chipotle. We added bacon to the burger which provided a smokey and crisp crunch. With each individual item on the burger seemingly so simple, it highlighted how getting each layer just right can turn even the most simple, nonchalant burgers into towering heroes.

From this single item, it became clear why such a large event such as Vivid took quick notice of this small establishment so-soon after they opened their doors. Their burgers are now an all-day affair, so you’ll soon be re-accessing how many days a week you can reasonably justify grabbing a burger with one their smooth, strong coffees.

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Bangbang Cafe

Address: 113 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills, Sydney
Contact: (02) 9281 0018
Website: www.facebook.com/bangbangcafesydney and www.bangbangcafe.com.au
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-3pm; Sat-Sun 8am-2pm

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