17 December 2009

Brodburger too successful?

17 December 2009 | jase!

Heading down to Brodburger tonight I was dismayed to see a sign on the little red van that they have been told they will have to leave Bowen Park by the middle of next year.

They have started a petition so if you have had a good burger from down there or just like seeing lit up little red caravans head down and give it a sign. While I was down there tonight the petition didn’t make it to the end of the line because people were arriving quicker than it could move back.

I counted 30 in the queue to order tonight, are there any other food vans in Canberra that are that busy before 2am on Friday and Saturday nights?

Join the conversation

All Comments

All Comments
Website Comments
Facebook Comments

LatestOldest

mywords3:08 pm 02 Nov 10

I find it funny how Canberra wants to attract people but we always destroy the few valuable things. What makes Melbourne great are all the wierd side alley way cafes and innovating ideas to attract the people who live there to stay and enjoy the towns secrets.
Canberra has few and by the looks of things heading to extinction for our towns secrets when it comes to food or places.

I enjoy the van being there, It adds a little bit of Canberra’s history to it. Gypsies trying to make something of this town. People come from Queensland and NSW to petition. Bureaucrats have closed minded opinions and are not willing to change. Hence making young Canberreans crave either to leave (never good advertising for canberra) or to be so out of it with drugs and alcohol to forget their sorrows in this dull town.

niftydog11:42 am 25 Jan 10

Original article – with poll.

Brick veneer of support for burger kings
BY MEGAN DOHERTY, CITY REPORTER
22 Jan, 2010 08:04 AM
The now famous Brodburger van at Kingston’s Bowen Park has a fan in ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope who declared yesterday it was not an eyesore and should be allowed to stay put.

”I support the Brodburger location, the van, the service they provide and it’s enormously popular. The people of Canberra are certainly voting with their feet and their stomach,” he said yesterday.

His comments came as the National Capital Authority confirmed it wanted the Brodburger business to operate in the same location out of a permanent kiosk possibly in bricks of the same sort as a nearby toilet block rather than the current little red van which has charmed many Canberrans. Mr Stanhope said he understood the possible removal of the van next to Lake Burley Griffin had been raised because of ”aesthetic” concerns held by the authority.

Territory and Municipal Services chief executive Gary Byles is meeting today with National Capital Authority chief executive Gary Rake to try to seek a resolution to the Brodburger impasse.

Mr Rake said the authority wanted the business to remain operating in the location but in a permanent, purpose-built facility, financed privately or by the ACT Government, because the van did not comply with the National Capital Plan which stated that ”developments must show an appropriate quality of architectural design consistent with their location in this area of special national concern”.

”If there was a small kiosk that was next door to the toilet block and was built of the same sort of bricks and the same colour roof, that would be perfectly okay,” Mr Rake said.

Brodburger co-owner Joelle Bou-Jaoude’s response to that suggestion was, “Oh yuck”.

Holden Caulfield12:13 pm 22 Jan 10

After last night’s yummy Brodburger my opinion on this whole “they’re closing us down” saga has changed a little. I was going to sign their petition, but now have second thoughts. A few points to start, go back and read the earlier posts, specifically #28 and #48.

I will also preface my following comments by stating I am a huge Brodburger fan, they make great food and, as shown by waiting almost a full hour last night, I am patient enough to wait for my supper.

However, this was the first time I’ve been there this year and while it was warm it was still pleasant enough to stay and eat burgers by the lake. Which heaps of people seemed to be doing. This created two significant problems—parking and litter–that would further raise the ire of local authorities and show that, perhaps, Brodburger has become too successful for its current location (at least in Summer anyway).

PARKING: It was out of control. The parking spaces at Bowen Park were literally overflowing with the bitumen area beyond capacity with access impeded. There were also plenty of people parked on the grass just off Bowen Drive (myself included, so I am at fault here too). Referring back to the list posted at #28 its is fair to say that points (i)-(v) were all being breached due to the parking.

LITTER: Closest to the Brodburger van were two government wheelie bins and a single old style plastic bin which was presumably supplied by Brodburger. The two wheelie bins were way past full, but this didn’t stop people from adding to the waste. Here’s a tip folks, when you squeeze your rubbish in the bin and it forces other rubbish on to the ground that means the bin is full. If no other bins are around, then just take your rubbish with you. Lazy sods! The Brodburger bin had also filled to overflowing in the time we were waiting for our burgers. Again, referring to post #28 points (iv) and (v) were breached.

Moving on to the points raised by the owners shown in post #48 I appreciate and agree with almost everything she is saying. I do find it hard to believe that there has been no reason given for the request to move, but am happy to accept the comment on face value. That said, on last night’s evidence, the reasons are now quite obvious.

That leaves a couple of alternatives. Tailor Bowen Park to suit peak periods at Brodburger. This would entail some sort of parking alterations, be that restrictions or increasing capacity. And also better rubbish facilities are required. I reckon the litter issues could be relatively easily solved if Brodburger is willing to accept greater responsibility during busy periods. However, can’t really see a likely solution for overflow parking.

Part of the appeal is that Brodburger is dodgy looking van in a quaint little park. Are there any other solutions that maintain that appeal, while also solving the parking issue, which, it must be said, is only a problem during the warmer months. In winter people get their burgers and bugger off somewhere warm, and by doing so solve both the parking and litter problems.

Other possible venues could be somewhere near Regatta Point, or over by the Acton Ferry Terminal on Barrine Drive. Both venues have much more appropriate parking and retain close proximity to the lake. Sure, they’re not quasi-underground like Bowen Park, but life is full of compromises. I reckon, if possible, these two options could provide a workable solution.

Oh, now after all this, am I the only one put off by that Charlie guy who is there all the time? Maybe he’s just not my cup of tea, an opinion formed while chatting to him a few months back where he was on his soap box about being judged by his appearance while simultaneously making similar sweeping statements/judgments on public servants (I am not a public servant by the way).

[RiotACT Eds – wasn’t sure if this should be a new topic, or added here.]

Holden Caulfield2:30 pm 20 Jan 10

@ #@20 – thanks for posting that up. Sounds fair to me.

Muttsybignuts1:27 pm 20 Jan 10

The burgers are good. It is as simple as that. And, as someone else said, at least the park is being enjoyed. We have been there a few times, got some burgers and sat under the trees to eat them. The biggest problem is finding a tree to sit under because they are all taken by other burger eaters!
I think I said this earlier. It is things like this that reinforce the idea that Canberra is a bland soulless place. Anything that adds a bit of colour and doesn’t hurt anyone is shut down by faceless bureaucrats who need to justify their own existence.

Disposable10:05 am 20 Jan 10

This was posted yesterday on the in the mix forums by a new user name JOUJOU. I have no idea whether it is genuine or not but thought I’d post it here:

I own Brodburger with my bf. Let me just clarify a few things:

1. We invested a lot of money in setting up the food van which complied with all the rules and regulation that we were made aware of at the time of approval.
2. We got a Hawker’s license to have the Caravan at Bowen Park…It’s true that we pay no rent as such but neither do all the other caravans around Canberra. The Hawker’s act does not have different rules in regards to setting up in different areas of Canberra. Why should we be picked on because we are in Barton???
3. NCA have given us no reason as to why they want us to leave.
4. If we wanted to set up a shop we would have…we wanted to be original ….trust me a shop would be a lot easier for us to run. We restock twice a day because of the size of the van…however that has been beneficial as everything is always fresh.
I wonder if we would have had the same problem if we were serving old boiled hot dogs.
5.Food Caravans are legitimate businesses. We employ staff members…We are a Canberra based business that buys products from other Canberra based businesses…we donate to charities too but don’t advertise it for sympathy.
6.People who decide to open restaurants do so….We decided on a caravan to be different…Canberra is full of Cafes and Restaurants that sell the same types of food within the same atmosphere.
7. The park was hardly ever used, the car park was always empty….Our customers do fill up the car park not only to enjoy our burgers but also the park itself…(just so you know when NCA asked us to leave we weren’t as busy as we are now….so it had nothing to do with parking issues)
8.If we knew that we were going to be asked to leave after spending all this money to be set up at the Park and building our customer base we would chosen another location.

This is hard for us both emotionally and financially especially when we have put everything we possibly can into it…it is working at the moment…We thank all our customers and appreciate their support greatly… If we do have to move…where would we go and will our customers follow?? I don’t know…

niftydog7:00 pm 12 Jan 10

pepmeup said :

The only reason people are going to Brodburgers is because Canberran’s are like sheep.
{snip}

Seems to me that the latest trend is calling out Canberrans for being sheep!
It’s equally trendy to be anti-trendy – ask an emo kid – they’re naive and contemptuous too.

Of course knowing that won’t stop you making up shit about a place that you’ve never been too; like assuming the place is overrun with “cool people”.

spinact4:52 pm 12 Jan 10

I doubt they’d get permanent NCA works approval for a caravan but they may get an extension to temporary works approval if they can’t find ‘more permanent solution’.

I wonder if any residents in the apartments on Blackhall Street in Barton complained?

Sal Paradise3:56 pm 12 Jan 10

Email from National Capital Authority today:

“Thank you for your email to the National Capital Authority (NCA) regarding the temporary food van ‘Brodburger’ located within Bowen Park.

The ACT Government Office of Regulator Services is responsible for issuing Hawkers Licences in the ACT. A Hawkers Licence is by its nature a temporary arrangement.

The NCA has issued a temporary works approval to Brodburger until the beginning of June 2010 in line with their current Hawkers Licence.

The NCA is working with the ACT Government land manager over the next months to develop an appropriate and more permanent solution or location for Brodburger.”

Looks promising?

sprintman11:17 am 02 Jan 10

How they got that much vinaigrette in one burger is beyond me. Ended up in the bin. I’ll give it one more try but I don’t expect much sadly.

gun street girl10:07 am 25 Dec 09

pepmeup said :

I have to agree with one of the points made by stereo henry. The only reason people are going to Brodburgers is because Canberran’s are like sheep. The new ‘cool thing, or place’ will always be popular. Had Brodburgers opened in the Canberra Center foodcourt would any of you know or care about it. I doubt it!
I’ve read all the reviews and yeah the burgers sound pretty good but most people say after forking out about $10 for a burger they feel like another one. So are they that small. Or are most of the commenters “big” eaters.
I also have an objection to menus without prices, which is the case with the Brodburger website. If they are such good value let people know.
Finally what is the big concern? there are plenty of vacant shops not just in the food courts but many suburban small shopping ceneters where something this ‘good’ could make a new start with such a loyal following…..
But I guess then it wouldn’t be as trendy, and the customers would be less likely to be seen by all the other cool people.
I’m not exactly sure but last time I checked a hawkers license was about $60 a year. Maybe this entrepeneurial chef should be putting a little more back into the community than cholesterol.

I certainly can’t speak for everyone, but the reason I go to Brodburger is because the food is good. Personally, I don’t give a damn about trends – and certainly, if the same outfit ran out of a trendy little Kingston eatery, I probably wouldn’t go there as often. Why? Much of the attraction of these burgers is due to them coming out of a little van by the side of the road. Gourmet burgers in cafes are a dime a dozen (and indeed, far more expensive). Good food coming out of a dinky little caravan is extraordinary – and being able to put in an order, then wander off to eat by the side of the lake during a free evening is pretty bloody wonderful. When I want to eat at a cafe, I eat at a cafe. When I don’t, I like the fact that Brodburger offers another alternative.

As a shiftworker, having such an establishment open at odd hours of the night is a welcome addition to a pretty limited array of options. Moving into a kiosk or shopping centre would cut them off from clientele who don’t work 9-5. A crappy burger from a fast food chain will set you back somewhere around five bucks. I’m willing to pay roughly double that for quality ingredients, delivered by a bunch of people who appear to be working their asses off to make a success of their business. I for one am not in favour of getting in the way of that success.

View more conversations

Featured Businesses

Lawyers

BDN Lawyers

BDN has provided legal services to to Canberra, Queanbeyan and the region for over 160 years.

Find out more

Professional Services

RSM

We share skills, insight and resources, as well as a client-centric approach that's based on a deep understanding of your business.

Find out more

Lawyers

Kamy Saeedi Law

When you need a criminal or commercial lawyer, you don’t want to take any chances. You want someone in your corner that you can trust like your life depends on it - because it does.

Find out more

Mortgage Brokers

Clarity Home Loans

A passionate team of Canberrans helping other Canberrans secure their home loans. No frills, no commissions, no brainer.

Find out more

Lawyers

MV Law

Through a spirit of entrepreneurialism, collaboration, and future-forward thinking, MV Law have earned an industry-leading reputation.

Find out more

Community Club

Canberra Southern Cross Club

We're proud to give you a place where friends and family can come together for good food and great entertainment.

Find out more

Electricians

True Connection Electrical

Since 2014, True Connection Electrical have been servicing residential and small commercial clients with reliable, trustworthy and top-quality electrical work.

Find out more