Big Boy BBQ

2/27-31 Hardware Lane, Melbourne

American BBQ is a cuisine that seems simple on the outside, but actually has many different styles and techniques to it. Big Boy BBQ is said to have been one of the first restaurants to introduce American BBQ to Melbourne using "low and slow" cooking methods by smoking the meats over hickory wood.

The Dorothy

Ribs for one $21.00

Wings 'n ribs platter $49.00

I chose the wings 'n ribs platter as I was feeling particularly hungry and wanted something quite fulfilling. The platter comes with regular wings, a choice of ribs and 2 sides, for which I chose crispy fried onion strings and chilli with brisket burnt ends and beans. 

The meat dishes served at Big Boy BBQ were all cooked very nicely. While the meat remained juicy and tender, the flavour was something I felt was slightly monotonous throughout the different dishes.

Food Rating 7/10

Overall Rating 7/10

Fancy Hank's

79 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Fancy Hank's is an American BBQ restaurant located in the heart of Melbourne's CBD. Before opening their restaurant on Bourke Street, Fancy Hank's was a pop-up serving slow cooked meat throughout Melbourne.

The smoker

Devilled egg

Corn bread

Beef brisket, pulled pork shoulder, half chicken and sausage links

We decided to try a range of their most popular smoked meats so that we could see what Fancy Hank's had to offer. Most of the smoked meats we tried were only average, each with their own faults and no huge redeeming qualities that made me crave more. I did however enjoy the flavour of the rub on the brisket, as well as their attentive service.

Food Rating 6/10

Overall Rating 6.5/10

Dexter

456 High Street, Preston

Dexter is a restaurant which is known as a "non-traditional American BBQ" restaurant. Although Dexter is located out of the way in Preston, it has somehow found itself known as one the best American BBQ restaurants in Melbourne. With the amazing reputation that it has amassed, we had to drop in for a snack while we were in the area.

Dexter

Hot meat donuts

The hot meat donuts are a well known favourite of many of the patrons from Dexter. The snack is especially popular during the times they are open for lunch, as the crispy and doughy outside, as well as the flavourful filling is an amazing combination.

Pulled pork bun

Although the pulled pork bun was very messy to eat, it was very delicious. The pulled pork was juicy and had a lovely flavour which was enhanced by the sauces and complemented by the pickles and slaw.

Dexter definitely lived up to my expectations of it and I would definitely recommend a visit here for any BBQ connoisseur. I will definitely be back to try more of their menu, especially their smoked meats. 

Food Rating 8.5/10

Overall Rating 8.5/10

Tetsujin

Level 4, Emporium Melbourne, 295 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Tetsujin is a Japanese restaurant which gives you the option of either sitting at the sushi train, or the main restaurant area where you can order from their BBQ menu. I ended up at Tetsujin with a craving for Japanese food, however, I chose a seat in front of the sushi train as I was dining by myself.

Stylish storefront

The sushi train

Oyster with ponzu jelly $3.30

Seared scallop nigiri $3.30

Hoke roll $3.30

Uni gunkan $4.80

Arc shell nigiri $5.00

Toro nigiri $4.80

Spicy seared salmon nigiri $3.30

Raspberry lemonade

All of the sushi on the sushi train cost $3.30 and was similar in quality to the standard sushi you would find on any sushi train. They also offered some more premium types of sushi, such as the toro nigiri and uni gunkan which you could order from their menu. I found most of the sushi that I took from the train to be of decent quality, while the toro nigiri was absolutely lovely. Unfortunately I felt that the uni gunkan I ordered was not as fresh as it could have been.

The service at Tetsujin was quick and efficient but it also felt quite rushed as there were waiters and waitresses running around everywhere. Although the sushi at Tetsujin was only of average quality, I would definitely like to come back to try out their BBQ menu.

Food Rating 6.5/10

Overall Rating 7/10

Izakaya Jiro

830 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

Hawthorn is not the first place I think of when I am in need of a place to dine, but even though it is out of the way for me, it is undeniable that Glenferrie Road and Hawthorn in general has a diverse culinary scene which is worth the effort to visit. 

Izakaya style dining has always been something I look forward to. The flavour imparted to the meat from the charcoal grill is a lot more desirable than the smell it leaves on your clothes though.

In the heart of Hawthorn

Tasteful decor

Butabara $4.00 & Gyu kushi $4.50

Although we were set on having the BBQ set menu, we decided to try out some of the skewers, as they are one of the main items izakaya style restaurants are known for. This was a great decision as the skewers were simply divine. Both the pork and the beef skewers were cooked to perfection, the beef was especially good as it was juicy and full of flavour as well as seasoned perfectly.

Charcoal grill

Kimchi

 Wakame soup

Assorted vegetables

Assorted seafood

Chicken thigh, pork and cheese sausage & pork belly

Ox tongue

Rostbiff & scotch fillet

Wagyu sirloin & wagyu flap

There were two BBQ sets available at Izakaya Jiro so we decided to order both of them.

Set A $35

Kimchi, rostbiff, scotch, ox tongue, chicken thigh, pork belly, pork and cheese sausage, assorted vegetables, rice and wakame soup.

Set B $50

Kimchi, wagyu sirloin, wagyu flap, ox tongue, chicken thigh, pork belly, assorted seafood, pork and cheese sausage, assorted vegetables, rice and wakame soup.

Most of the food for the BBQ was pretty standard, the meats were marinated well and tender. However I found the seafood a bit hard to grill as they stuck to the grill very easily and broke apart when I tried to move them.

The service we received that night was also pretty standard. While the staff were friendly we found getting a hold of them difficult as we were seated on the second level for the BBQ. Overall a good experience, I would definitely come back if only just for the amazing skewers.

Food Rating 8.5/10

Overall Rating 8/10