Slim's Quality Burger

Overview

When Betty's Burgers and Concrete Co started dishing up burgs, fries and shakes, it gave hungry (and grateful) Australian tastebuds a Shake Shack-style burger experience. The chain has done well with that approach, unsurprisingly, expanding from its Noosa beginnings to now boast joints in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth — and a trio of ex-staff members are aiming for the same success with new venture Slim's Quality Burger.

There's plenty that's familiar about Slim's template, in fact. Swap out the Shake Shack nods, substitute in a 50s- and 60s-inspired setup that takes its cues from American diner culture, and that's the concept. Once again, the focus is on classic-style burgs rather than OTT numbers in this new spot from Michael Tripp, Nik Rollison and Betty's founder, David Hales; however, the burgers here are paired with old-school ice cream sundaes instead of Betty's frozen custard 'concretes'.

Now open in the new Marrickville Metro, with other stores set to come around the country — next up is Mount Druitt — Slim's is all about a lean menu of options made with simple but quality ingredients. Burger-wise, customers can choose between original ($8.50), cheeseburger ($6.50), deluxe cheeseburger ($7.50) and 'the works' ( $9.50) burgs, all made with angus beef, plus five different chicken varieties — including with crispy fried ($8.50) or grilled chook ($8.50) — and a veggie option ($9) using a plant-based patty.

Sides focus on fries either with sea salt ($3.50), loaded with cheese and grilled onion ($6), or also featuring maple-smoked bacon ($7). As for those sundaes ($5), they come in hot fudge, salted caramel and strawberry flavours. And to wash it all down, there are spiders ($5) — because plonking a scoop of ice cream in some soft drink never gets old — plus post-mix from the fountain ($3.75), and chocolate, vanilla and strawberry thickshakes ($6).

And with its vibrant red bench seating — the same hue beaming up from the chequerboard-tiled floor and a curved order counter — the Marrickville decor clearly takes Slim's chosen retro aesthetic seriously. Also a feature in Sydney: outdoor dining, plus a blast from the past-meets-modern overall feel.