Two Street Food Vendors Have Popped Up Inside An Abandoned Pizzeria

In line with their penchant for inhabiting offbeat locations around the city, contemporary Chinese food vendors Judge Bao have teamed up with fellow mobile cooks, and Korean-inspired burger makers, Tiger Burger for a unique restaurant collaboration in the inner city.

The new pop-up eatery Bao Meets Burger is located at 12 O’Connell St inside a pizzeria that was abandoned by its owner after an extremely brief stretch. With everything still onsite, including an established dining room, a pizza oven and a fully functioning kitchen, the two food vendors are making the most of the lease before it's signed on to become something more permanent; the estimated lifespan of Bao Meets Burger is around two to three weeks.

The pair have put their own twist on the space: Asian newsprint adorning tables and cute 'checklist' menus similar to what you'd find in a yum-cha restaurant. Described as a '50s burger bar with an oriental twist, the menu offers tried and true favourites from each of the vendors, including Tiger Burger's infamous loaded kimchi fries and 'Kimcheese' burger, and Judge Bao's modern take on Chinese buns and sticky ribs.

New collaborative options include: the 'Lap Dog', a soft bao with handmade Chinese sausage and the accompaniment of honey mustard and Sichuan ketchup; Chinese and Korean fried chicken; a palate cleansing trio of Korean pickles; a chop salad with sesame and a sweet and spicy dressing, and two sundaes comprising green tea and chilli chocolate.

Bao Meets Burger will be open from Friday 16 October until further notice from Thursday to Saturday: lunch (11.30am - 3pm) and dinner (5pm - late).