It’s been a tough few weeks since the Burgers by Josh pop-up closed at the Annandale. Where are we going to get our burger fix now? But do not fear Sydney, because we’ve had a wee word with Josh Arthurs, owner and chef of the pop-up, and he’s told Time Out Sydney exclusively where he’s going to pop up next, and when.
Drumroll please…. It’s happening, Burgers by Josh is finally opening up in the heart of the city, at Hotel William on William Street, less than 200m east of Hyde Park, and just across the road from the Australian Museum.
You know what that means, don’t you? It means that city workers can now get themselves Sydney’s most cult burger without having to trek out to Dee Why, North Sydney or Annandale to get at it. The queues are set to be freaking mental.
Speaking of queues, we asked Arthurs to give us the scoop on when his pop-ups are at their quietest. “Wednesday lunch and Sunday lunch are quieter,” he says. But that’s not to say it still won’t be busy, considering how his last pop-up went, “At the Annandale we were averaging 700 burgers a day,” says Arthurs, “It started off just me and a mate, and now I’ve got eight chefs and five kitchen hands. It’s turned into a massive operation, bigger than I ever imagined it to be.”
And it’s no wonder. Have you tried this guy’s food? When we went to his last pop-up at the Annandale, we ate the ‘Infamous Primo’ and it was something else – two wagyu patties, double American cheese, chipotle mayo, crisp bacon, onion rings, jalapeños and lettuce stuffed inside a milk bun. It was massive and hulking, and totally amazing to behold, and to eat. The Jurassic fries were similarly epic – shoestring fries layered up with liquid cheese and smoky, spiced mayo, their Sydney's very own In-N-Out Animal fries.
So what’s on the menu at Hotel William? “The menu that we had at the Annandale was the most popular menu I’ve ever run, so I’ll keep that,” he says, “And there will be the experimental burger once a week – I’m going to try and do it on Thursday nights like I did at North Sydney. There will be some new sides like mac and cheese croquettes, Scorpio chicken, the popcorn chicken will come back, the onion rings are coming and same with the Jurassic fries – the Jurassic fries are too popular to take away.”
Arthurs is also working on a craft beer menu with the pub, so expect some pretty epic drinks to go alongside that burger.
As for an opening date, Arthurs says the pub, which has recently been bought over by a friend, is currently in renovations, but he's just confirmed that it's set to open its doors at 5.30pm on Wednesday June 8.
And the best news? It might be a permanent move for the once nomadic chef. “Eventually I do want to settle into somewhere,” says Arthurs, “I’m seeing with this location if it is good enough for a long-term one because I’ve got the option there to stay. So if it works well, I might just end up staying.” You heard the man, Sydney. Burgers by Josh might have just found its forever home, and we couldn’t be more delighted.
For the full scoop on Burgers by Josh, check out our review here.
Want to check out the best burgers in Sydney right now? Here you go!
Other epic burgers to pop on that 'must try' list? We also love Rockpool Bar and Grill, Five Points and Mister Gee Burger Truck.