If you consider yourself a burger connoisseur, then Burger Johnny should be your new go-to burger destination. From the moment you walk in you are welcomed with a vibrant atmosphere, groovy music and friendly staff and the smell of food cooking in the kitchen – this is what burgers are all about. Situated in Geelong’s CBD along Ryrie Street, Burger Johnny has cemented its mark as not only one of Geelong’s best burgers, but also as one of Geelong’s healthiest burger destinations.
Using entirely fresh organic produce and ingredients from surrounding businesses such as La Madre Bakery and grass fed lean beef from the Koallah Farms in the Otway’s, Burger Johnny has a real sense of community. In the past even showcasing local artists works on display and having local musicians play in store.
If you have been to Burger Johnny chances are you have come across the extremely charismatic store manager Leigh Rigg. Whether he is socialising with customers or working his magic in the kitchen, he is motivated to create a burger that’s genuinely special.
“We researched all different burgers from all around the world to find the best ingredients to construct the best healthy burger that we can make. We tried to go one step above just making the standard unhealthy burger,” he says.
Infusing their own flavours to create homemade sauces really helps to create that signature Burger Johnny taste. According to Rigg, “The best part about it is that we make our own flavours and that way we don’t taste like anyone else. That’s what we can bring to Geelong, our own taste.”
Even if you have dietary requirements you can still enjoy that great Johnny taste. It doesn’t matter if you are a meat lover, chicken lover, gym junky, paleo, celiac they’ve got you covered., Whilst also providing a wide range of sides including chips and house made condiments, it seems like there is nothing the illustrious burger menu doesn’t offer.
Then it comes to the burgers themselves: beautiful, succulent meat with the perfect amount of melted cheese and a fresh soft bun. Though Burger Johnny distinguishes themselves from other burgers by their freshness. The local organic produce packs the punch that salad in a burger should, it gives you that crisp clean taste that accompanies you along with every bite. The house made sauces give a unique taste each bite and provides that subtle balance between the flavours in the burger. The combination of all the ingredients give you that signature Burger Johnny taste that a lot of local Geelong residents have already grown to love.
Whilst burgers are their niche, Burger Johnny are more than just a burger shop, also selling incredible milkshakes including strawberry cheesecake, vanilla bean, Nutella and salted caramel (which includes delicious homemade salted caramel). It seems like their milkshakes do in fact bring all the boys to the yard, making your hardest choice having to choose which one to order.
Now even doing delivery orders to local businesses Rigg reflects: “Geelong is developing, there is now a lot of effort put into social businesses that can cater for people who need to eat in and we are stoked to be a part of the start of that.”
Burger Johnny has guaranteed a spot in the stomachs of locals in Geelong, already with a large clientele of regulars there is no telling what the future has in store for the eatery.
“This is the first Burger Johnny but hopefully the start of many,” Rigg says.
Written by Alex Callan
Where: 141 Ryrie St, Geelong
When: Open from 11-8 everyday with opening hours extending on Friday and Saturday.
Phone: 03 5221 7599