1 March 2023

The smoked cheeseburger from Milly J's is a hole in a one!

| Lucy Ridge
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chef stands with crossed arms in front of a food truck

Matthew Wilson is one of the chefs at Milly J’s. Photo: Lucy Ridge.

Milly J’s food truck isn’t fancy. It’s not schmick. It’s not in a bourgie location. It doesn’t have a big online profile. But tasty food doesn’t need a Tik Tok page – it just needs to be tasty food.

Named after owner Michael Ryan’s daughter Millie, Milly J’s is Canberra’s newest food truck. Matthew Wilson is one of the chefs at the grills.

Matthew was a chef for 17 years working in pubs, clubs and bars making simple food that tastes good. He’s seen an awful lot of change in the industry – especially with food trucks.

Parked at the Canberra Public Golf Course just off Jerrabomberra Avenue in Narrabundah, you could say that the brand-new food truck is just teeing off. For now, there’s a handwritten menu on a blackboard with a short list of dishes. Matthew is focussing on simple food, made fast, with a view to developing a rotating menu that will showcase his love of burgers and smoked meats.

Matthew smiles and serves a chicken wrap

Look out for the ‘Mini J’s’ trailer at markets and festivals. Photo: Lucy Ridge.

There are plans in the works for a Mini J’s trailer that will travel around to different music festivals, markets, private functions, and anywhere else a food truck might sling a few meals. Matthew says that the menu will cater to the specifics of each event: egg and bacon rolls with coffee for a morning market or burgers and cold drinks at a festival.

The main Milly J’s truck will remain parked onsite at the golf course. Eventually, a section of the car park will be closed off, and they’ll add outdoor seating and umbrellas for patrons. The course is also looking to get its liquor license and renovate the marquee seating area.

Burger with bite mark in front of Milly J's Logo.

The smoked cheeseburger may not photograph well, but it is tasty. Photo: Lucy Ridge.

Milly J’s specialty is the Smoked Cheeseburger. Matthew laughs as he explains that it doesn’t photograph well, but it is tasty!

Matthew mixes and smokes the mince himself. He explains that he needs the right amount of fat to help the meat stay nice and juicy during the smoking process. The pickles are made in-house, as is the barbecue sauce, and the whole thing is served on a nice soft bun. In a culinary scene where ‘loaded’ anything and everything is the trending fad, this smoked cheeseburger is old-school simple and bloody good. Call it a hole-in-one!

Food in takeaway boxes.

The menu at Milly J’s changes all the time. Photo: Lucy Ridge.

The current menu also has a well-spiced chicken tikka wrap and a toasted pork tortilla filled with spiced mince and veggies. Like the burger, they’re simple but tasty: no fuss and no frills.

Matthew says he’s conscious of having different dietary options. He stocks soy and almond milk, but is working with limited space.

They also serve breakfast and coffee to give you the buzz to make it down the fairway. What more could you ask fore?

Food truck with golf course in background.

The Milly J’s Food Truck is located at the Canberra Public Golf Course in Narrabundah. Photo: Lucy Ridge.

Milly J’s is located at the Canberra Public Golf Course, 46 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah. They are open from Thursday to Sunday from 8 am until around 8 pm starting March 2nd. Follow Milly J’s on Facebook.

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