Melbourne Steak Sandwich Champions Empire Steak to Open Second Sanga Shop

While Melbourne's burger obsession rages on, Dean Sholl's set out to reinvigorate our excitement for another bread-and-meat combo, and the underrated gem of classic Aussie fare: the humble steak sandwich.

It's been a year since Scholl launched his first Empire Steak store on Little Collins Street, delivering an eatery dedicated entirely to what he calls the 'unsung hero' of our time. We're talking a menu of meaty sandwiches as good as any local burger creation, starring grass-fed porterhouse steaks, alongside extras like Asian slaw and char siu sauce, and shaved beetroot with egg and cheese. Now, the concept's heading south of the river, with Empire Steak opening the doors to its South Yarra outpost this week.

Southside steak sanga fans will be able to get their hands on all the Empire Steak favourites, alongside lively new menu additions like The Scorcher — which comes with jalapeño, pickles, Sriracha and aioli — and The Smoko, featuring cheese, mayo, bacon and smoky barbecue sauce. The kitchen's also worked up a range of hearty steak salads for the gluten-free.

To help launch its new Chapel Street digs, Empire Steak's giving away 150 of its The Opener sandwiches for free, next Wednesday, September 6 from noon. There is a catch though — to claim one you'll have to recite the first verse of Advance Australia Fair well enough to impress the Dame Edna Everage impersonator on site. Good luck, possums!

Empire Steak launches at 592 Chapel Street, South Yarra, this Wednesday, August 30. It'll be open for your steak sanga fix daily, from 11am till 9pm. For more info, visit empiresteak.com.au.