Situated in Mary St, right off King St, you could easily walk past Mary’s simple, urban facade, and miss it. There is no sign, no bright colours, the only thing that alerts one to the fact that something potentially awesome is happening, is the queue of people congregating outside.
Upon entering Mary’s, one is impressed by the space; there is a long bar and floor area with tables and then a mezzanine level which is reminiscent – with its exposed beams and brick – of some New York Soho warehouse conversion. It is dark and noisy. You’ve been warned.
It is brimming with hipster types, clad in their flannel and high-waisted jeans. I think there is also a two tatt minimum for entry… Somehow Kellie and I snuck through, despite our distinct lack of ink. “Everyone is so young!” remarks Kellie… “So are we…” right..?
The menu is concise, Burgers and Fried Chicken only, but I am always skeptical of places that have a menu that reads like the Magna Carta… There is just no way to get on top of a lengthy menu that lacks focus and seasonality. Opting for the cheeseburger with added bacon, it is not the prettiest burger one will consume, but it is very tasty. It has that grease factor, and the novelty of house-smoked trashcan bacon (yes, it’s what you think) just adds kitsch value. It tastes how I’d imagine a burger from a diner in the 1950s would taste. In terms of where this burger ranks on my current list, it is third, behind Stitch (1) and the Three Weeds (2).
One burger aficionado friend, who claims he knows burgers, as he’s American (so what?!) refuses to believe there is a better burger in Sydney… But I have assured him there are at least two. Anyway, now I have somewhat diminished the deliciousness of this burger, perhaps unjustly, as it is damn fine, and I could easily see Mary’s becoming part of my regular enclave of ace places to eat and drink at. Mr Burger also insists their fried chicken is excellent.
The shroom burger, Kellie assures me, is also great, especially when loading it with rashers of bacon. Yes, bacon makes it all better. You could sandwich bacon between a couple of playing cards and call it an amazing meal.
Drinks wise, there is a good selection of craft beers on tap – love the Newtown local Young Henry’s Pale Ale. Wine list is brief and the cocktails are still in the process of being created… But beer is a burger’s best friend anyway.
Staff is friendly and attentive and need to be with the high turnover of patrons.
By the time we leave at 7.30pm (yes, we dined at 6.30pm, a sure-fire sign of our elderliness) Mary’s is filled with hungry, hungry hipsters queuing for their greasy fix.
