Brooklyn Depot

Brooklyn Depot

Burgers are one of the Gold Coast’s favourite foods.

It seems everyone is hanging their mouth around one, from tiny sliders to sweet brioche wonders housing gourmet delights.

Of course, it didn’t take long for the big guns to get involved in the boutique burger business; guys who’d seen trends develop before, such as co-owner Michael Rose. He sensed a future for classic American-style burgers, accompanied by some street food favourites.

Brooklyn Depot 2C

But it wasn’t just about the food. There was the concept of a social meeting place; a local hub where people could hang out, sharing a bite to eat and a few drinks in a smart casual venue where service was on point. The brand would hang its hat on that idea. Brooklyn Depot has achieved just that.

There’s no doubt that the burger was central to the food concept…which brings us to the question: What makes a good burger?

brooklyn-depot-21

Buns, ‘between’ and balance! With lots of competition for the burger crown, chefs have gloves off, doing battle. The word is out: Brooklyn Depot’s buns are up there. They’re packed with quality ingredients: a succulent juicy patty with fresh salad and sauce sandwiched between a just right soft brioche bun, its sweetness a balance for the savoury patty.

Brooklyn Depot 5

Brooklyn offers you lots of burger choices; enough to keep the masses happy, from the Fuhgeddaboudit! (BD’s take on the classic Sloppy Joe), chilli, duck, vegie, crab or beef…all smacked between the lips of those yummy buns – the Big Bopper of burgers, to the Filthy Pilgrim, which carries a turkey breast for white meat lovers.

There’s even a ‘Shun the bun’ option where the bun is missing and a salad slides into its place! Deconstruction to the max, this option is perfectly gluten-free!

Brooklyn Depot 9

Central spot on the menu is taken by the Brooklyn Classic: a grass-fed beef patty housing American cheese, hickory smoked bacon, grilled pineapple, butter lettuce, tomato and Depot special sauce ($10). It gets the tick of approval from our table as a ‘great burger’ – a great value meal in a really funky place. Feeling hungry? Then double up the filling with a Depot Burger to fill in the gaps ($16).

It’s all about doing the classics well. If you can’t do a good basic, what’s the point showing off the frills!

brooklyn-depot-27

But there are plenty of frills. Playing backup roles to the burgers, there are lots of America’s favourite street food dishes. Ribs (trending hot alongside the burgers, cooked overnight and as tender as… Lip smacking fabulous!), Fries, Wings, Strings, Frips, Frickles and Dawgs; it’s a whole new language of food slang sloshing across us from the streets of Brooklyn.

brooklyn-depot-26

We may have trouble adjusting to the jargon, but not to the food. You can go the big Brooklyn BBQ Board, or choose lots of small dishes to share, which is our preferred option! Throw in some ‘Sweet Thangs’: sweet apple pie, pecan choc brownies or wickedly thick handspun milkshakes with liqueur additions to complete your perfect ‘cheat day’!

brooklyn-depot-28

We’re sharing some Pimped winglets, a couple of burgers, Sweet potato fries and a rack of the most delicious Sticky BBQ pork ribs between four; plenty to share.

Brooklyn Depot 9B

Far more than just a burger joint, diner or bar, Brooklyn Depot is all three combined, adding up to a full-blown restaurant housed in a very smart cityscape venue. The décor and layout are as carefully thought out as the food. With Treazy murals pushing us into the urban subway, flickering American neons and careful prop styling, the bar oozes New York sophistication. Besides the verandah where we’re sitting, there are plenty of high chairs along the bar – perfect for the sole traveller who wants to catch up on bar staff action. Food is available throughout the day from a take away servery at the Eastern end of the venue, with an adjoining dining room offering privacy for couples and small groups. If you’re dining in, get your parking ticket validated before you leave. Easy!

brooklyn-depot-22

Then there’s the drinks. There’s no hint of prohibition in the new Brooklyn, in fact the liquor is flowing! On tap are the pre-prohibition style Brooklyn Brewery Lager, Corrs (US’s most popular beer), or the house Pale Ale (at a very keen price point), or you can choose an American bottled beer or local boutique beer from Burleigh Brewing and Stone & Wood.

Brooklyn Depot 2-001

Sporting some of the best bartenders in town, the long bar slung the length of the restaurant hosts these molecular mixologists as they infuse their own spirits, produce sophisticated cocktails with dry ice magic or a smoky surprise. From an Old Fashioned to mojitos and martinis, the cocktails are priced to compete. Using coffee from next door restaurant Paradox Roasters, a smart choice is the Coffee-infused bourbon, a perfect marriage of flavours. Could this be the next big thing for an afternoon session, a stop in after work or a stopover before you hit the town?

And talking about smart choices, the G:link’s Cavill Avenue station is just around the corner.

Brooklyn Depot 1

How about a Hello Sailor? (Sailor Jerry’s rum, coconut, pineapple and lime), the perfect summer drink – as cool as we feel sitting on the deck checking out the passing parade.

Sure, you can take away, but it’s so much more fun to eat in!

Approachable and affordable, Brooklyn Diner brings us chic street food from the Americas, a state of the art bar and smart service in a very classy joint. Smart concept, trendy social hangout; in our books, Brooklyn Depot is an all-round winner!

brooklyn-depot-24

The 4217, 10 Beach Road, Surfers Paradise, Open: Mon – Sun 11am until late, Ph: 07 5526 7666

NOTE: This is an updated review, originally published in 2015. A previous review of Brooklyn Depot has also been published on Blank Gold Coast.

Click to add a blog post for Brooklyn Depot on Zomato

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

https://www.brooklyndepot.com.au/
Open: Mon – Sun 11am until late
      
10 Beach Road, Surfers Paradise QLD, Australia