It's unfortunate that 1405 is obsessed with burgers, perhaps because I don't care for them. Those of you who know me know that once I like something I will eat it over and over again. My husband is the same.
So, on a windy autumn day, we find ourselves at a place one of my friends billed as "the best burgers in Melbourne." I was skeptical to say the least. The outside of this outfit is attached to what looks like an ugly shoe outlet, in a strip of tired suburgatory warehouses. This was starting to feel like a nightmare. We found the sign, took a photo, and walked into the only shop in this strip that wasn't painted with a coat of what I can only describe as "you-peaked-in-high-school-and-now-your-life-is-shit grey".
We walked in, and step into what can only be described as a haven of old neon signs against a black windowless room, the signs making the inside timeless in the sense that you would not have any idea what time it is outside. It's perpetually twilight on a ranch somewhere in Texas in here. Upon closer inspection many of the signs are Australian icons, the old Optus sign etc. In a good way, it feels like Lone Star diner from the 90's in Australia.
We order some zucchini fries and as I was strictly "not eating any of it."
1405 orders the "Jackie O" - 180g grass-fed beef pattie, tomato, spanish onion, fontina cheese, cos, mustard, tomato and Fat Bob's sauce .
Wow.
It was really quite good. The sauce complemented the beef which was very fresh and tasty. The cheese sauce drips out of the burger and into your hands, which you then lick off. It doesn't feel greasy or dry (a chronic problem of some other burger joints) and the balance of lettuce and tomato was spot on.
Much to 1405's despair I ate much more than "just one bite". It's the kind of burger that reminds you that you were very young once, and ate your heart out in Sydney because, well simply because you could. A great trip down nostalgia lane.
Fat Bob's Bar & Grill
80A Cochranes Road
Moorabbin
9555 0909
