Like my catch phrase says, "I am not a foodie!". I think with all the new and exciting food trends, restaurants and bars we often tend to forget about the local corner shop, pubs or milk bars. You don't need a Michelin trained chef to cook your food to enjoy it. That's why I would thought I would focus my sights on Narellan Charcoal Chicken, a local milk bar style shop that specialises in charcoal chicken and also makes fish, burgers and chips on the side.
It's the kind of shop where you're always greeted with a big smile and know that they actually mean it. In fact I was taken a back when I was served so quickly, I was stumped with what I wanted to order, so I said the first thing that came to mind "Burger with the lot combo please". Gees i've been terrible lately... My order was taken and I settled in to wait for my after work treat.
Sitting on the stool I started looking around the shop and first thing I noticed was the delicious golden brown chicken and I instantly regretted my decision in choosing a beef burger. These guys specialise in chicken! I should have gone with the chicken burger. Ahhh well I was still happy with my decision. The shop was your typical run of the mill local chicken or fish and chip shop and with the amount of people walking in and out, it is obviously quite popular with the locals.
Usually waiting for food annoys me but when I know it's going to be made fresh and made in front of me i'm pretty happy. I sat in anticipation until the burger was taken off the grill and the chips were placed in the bag, I got up and grabbed a bottle of water (Had to have something healthy).
I quickly took the contents of the meal and placed it on the counter, opening the box I was impressed immediately with the size of the burger. It looked exactly the way a burger with the lot from a milk bar should look. I unwrapped the burger and dove straight in with 2 hands and instantly noticed massive drip factor (combination of egg yolk/cheese/sauce. I wasn't daunted, even when one of the employees noticed and asked "mate, do you need some serviettes"? With a mouthful of burger I turned, taking the burger in one hand and using my other hand to give a thumbs up to let him know I was all good.
The burger had all the classic Aussie ingredients. The fried onions, the egg, BBQ sauce, cheddar, beef, beetroot, tomato and lettuce form an amazing combination that can never be replaced. It's not a fancy burger and they don't pretend it is. It's a big Aussie monster that we all know and love. The beef isn't particularly great but you get this fuzzy warm sensation inside (not a heart attack) while you eat the burger.
All in all a great experience burger wise. The chips need a special mention. I have never had bad chips from these guys. They're always fresh and they use an awesome chicken salt. The serving was also massive for a combo. Given the price of the combo at $10, combined with the friendly service I don't think there will be any disappointment. Oh, and make sure you try the chicken, they make some good charcoal chicken and awesome garlic dipping sauce!
Will definitely be back. read more