Paul’s Famous Hamburgers of Sylvania, Sylvania
8 July 2009
15 Comments
Good old fashioned burgers
I adore burgers and although I know they’re not good for me, I sometimes have to sate my cravings with McDonalds or Hungry Jack’s / Burger King (all the other times I can hold out, but just barely).
When a couple of my friends recommended Paul’s Famous Hamburgers of Sylvania, I was pretty excited, but somehow I never got to actually go. Eventually the stars and planets aligned and I finally ended up visiting Paul’s, despite the terribly cold and windy night.
Inside
With their brazen claim of “You’ve tried the rest, now try the best!”, I have to be honest and say that whenever I see places (or books or anything else for that matter) that claims to be the “best”, I get a bit wary but at the same time slightly hopeful. Maybe this time around, it will be the best I’ve ever tasted/read/seen.
Pineapple Crush - 1L ($4.50)
We sipped on some awesome Pineapple Crush (pineapple juice with quite a lot of pulp) as we waited for our burgers. It was so refreshing, not overly sweet or had that too-sour after taste, that I had to refrain myself from gulping the entire beverage down. The only downside of the drink was you could end up having a small string of pulp unwittingly hanging off your lip after taking a sip (yes, it did happen to me) – funny but a bit embarrassing.
The Works Burger (Tomato, Lettuce, Onion, Egg, Bacon, Cheese, Pineapple) with BBQ Sauce ($7.20)
The Works Burger (Tomato, Lettuce, Onion, Egg, Bacon, Cheese, Pineapple) with BBQ Sauce ($7.20)
Yes, the Works burger is most probably as gigantic as it looks.
The freshness of the ingredients used was definitely the highlight of the burger, though what really shined through was the deliciously juicy pineapple – not the patty as I would have thought.
My foodie friend was a bit disappointed that the buns were a bit soggy from the excess water on the lettuce (perhaps it was too fresh! Ha ha) and that it was a bit under-seasoned and under-sauced.
Hamburger with Tomato, Lettuce, Cheese and Tomato Sauce ($5.50)
While I can’t dispute the fact that it’s a pretty darn good burger and as you bite into the burger its freshness just pops out at you, I also can’t dispute the fact that I found myself wishing I had a bit more sauce on my bun and that it was missing something – some oompf that would make me wish it would never end. Maybe my expectations were subconsciously set on high.
Large Chips with Special Sauce ($4.50 + $1)
The crisp-on-the-outside-fluffy-on-the-inside chips, on the other hand, were perfectly seasoned.
My foodie friend loved the tangy special sauce, but the taste seemed a bit too strange for me; the flavour of the special sauce was kind of a mixture of ranch, tartar, and sweet mustard sauce with a hint of barbecue. Or something like that, we couldn’t really agree on what we thought it tasted like. It was really odd.
2007 Winner
Seeing the award made me wonder what was the difference between the burgers then from now. Perhaps it was the missing oompf that I wish it had, as it really has so much potential to be a really spectacular burger.
So, it wasn’t the Best Burger Ever, but it was very decent… and super fresh. And I think sometimes, that’s enough. It doesn’t have to knock your socks off every time you eat it, but you know you’re guaranteed a pretty darn good feed, leaving you quite full, and service from friendly, laid-back staff who most probably will know your name by your third visit.
I noticed that their small but steady stream of customers mostly ordered take away or quickly scoffed their meal down before rushing off somewhere. It made me wish that Paul’s were a bit closer, despite my nitpicking, so I could also satisfy my burger craving as easily without feeling like I was being too unhealthy (and for some more of that awesome pineapple crush).
Just a word of caution: street parking is a bit difficult, as Paul’s is right on the busy, busy Princes Highway – just after Tom Ugly’s bridge. We had to park on the other side of the road, in a side street, after waiting for what seemed like an age at the lights to turn right.
Paul’s Famous Hamburgers of Sylvania
12 Princes Hwy
Sylvania, NSW, 2444
Ph: (02) 9522 5632
Fax: (02) 9150 4947
Web: http://www.paulsfamoushamburgers.com.au/
Oh My !! My Cousin’s live just behind Pauls, on Belgrave Esplenade. I love the burgers here !! Trus Aussie hamburger ………
Kat´s last blog ..Samui’s famous Khao Mon Gai
oh yeah baby, gimme some more of that hamburger porn!
like you i’ve always wanted to go here, but as yet, my stars and planets still haven’t aligned
the fresh pineapple juice sounds great and ooh fisheye… noice!
Helen´s last blog ..Good Food & Wine Show Sydney 2009
Pineapple on burgers is compulsory for the right experience!
Christie @ Fig & Cherry´s last blog ..Review: Issen Yoshoku, Kyoto Japan
awesome. will have to try one day. cardiac arrest bring it on!
Simon Food Favourites´s last blog ..Caz & Johnny’s Christmas in July (4 July 2009)
Have you been to Counter in Crowsnest, Sydney?
….I think that you’ll love it!
http://www.thecounterburger.com/menu/
wot, no beetroot! Still, looks like a really nice burger though, yum!
Moya´s last blog ..Ripples, Milsons Point
Wow I’ve driven past this place but have never stopped to try it – and its only down the street from my place!
Thanks for the review, will definitely pop in on the weekend!
sam´s last blog ..the mourning of the greatest entertainer who ever lived (3/365)
Yuuummm buurrggeerr does look tasty and fresh! Soggy bread does ruin it tho
but fresh lettuce/tomato (and beetroot) are a must imo. I am also interested in that ‘secret’ sauce hee hee
FFichiban´s last blog ..Kobe Jones – King Street Wharf, Sydney (2)
Just discovered your blog – love your work! Thanks for sharing your eating adventures!
Kyle´s last blog ..Rice Cracker Infinity-Screen Experiment:
My husband and I both think Paul’s is a bit overrated, although they must be doing something right judging by the huge lines outside and down the footpath on the weekends. I think a lot of peope buy into the ‘best burgers’ hype, although the burgers do look HUGE. We prefer Stan’s on King George’s Road. That pineapple crush sounds yummy.
Megan´s last blog ..Mudgee Magic – Part the Second
Kat: *sighs* To live so close…!
Helen: LOL! I’m quite sure it will be soon =) Hehe yeah, loving the fish eye – it’s so wide!
Christie @ Fig & Cherry: That is true, though I do love beetroot on mine too.
Simon Food Favourites: Hehe it’s not so bad if it’s just once in a while, right?
Edengirl: Oh… my… goodness! Definitely a must-go. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for letting me know! =D
Moya: =( I know… terrible! I somehow totally forgot about it until I got my burger. I think I was a bit dazzled by the menu – too many options makes me pick the simplest one: the Cheeseburger.
sam: Let us know how you liked it! =)
FFichiban: Hahah… yes yes, silly me for forgetting the beetroot. Next time!
Kyle: Thanks for dropping by! =D
Megan: Stan’s Burgers at 474 King Georges Road, Beverly Hills? I can’t seem to find their website, but will definitely hit it up. *puts it on her To Eat list* Thanks! ^_^
Squishies – they won’t have a website, they are of the ‘cheap and cheeful’ variety – in fact I’m not sure you can even eat in!
Megan´s last blog ..Mudgee Magic – Part the Second
Went to Paul’s for the first time today, and ordered the Hamburger with Cheese and beetroot, and small chips with chicken salt.
The burgers were really good! Very tasty, very nice take away burger!
We will definitely be going there again.
The chips were just average. Abit too greasy.
Megan: Ohhh! Those kind of places – sometimes they are the best kind =) Eep… I really need to make time to visit all the burger recommendations!
Tina: I’m glad you liked the burgers there! Though pity the chips weren’t that great =(
My Wife and I travel from Melbourne to Sydney on a regular basis just to get our hands on this awesome burger. We have several burger shops in Melbourne, but nothing compares to the taste and value of a Pauls Famous Hamburger. Please open one in Melbourne guys.