From a part-time school job back in the day to present-day Bird N Burger, George Mourlas knows his way around a burger. “I had my first shop at 22, so I had my first spatula at 22! And now I’m turning 63 and I’ve still got the spatula!” he exclaims. Work, he says, keeps him healthy and young.
“I’ve always worked in food shops, even part-time when I was at school; I like putting the smile on people’s faces with quality food,” George says. “I’ve had a journey with my first shop right up until now — I’ve lost count of how many shops I’ve had and where I’ve had them — but the journey is still going.” That current shop is, of course, Bird N Burger in Sydney’s Kirrawee.
George’s beef patties have the perfect ratio of meat to fat, and are seasoned with salt and pepper. “We do put another secret ingredient in it but it’s all about cooking the product correctly and putting it on the bun with all the ingredients needed,” George explains. “We still use beetroot in our burgers but we’ve modernised it just that little bit to make it our own — but it still tastes great. Different sauces and things make the burger as well.”
A not-so-secret ingredient? “There’s got to be love in what you do; if there’s no love there’s no taste.” George’s simple advice for people in any profession: “If you’re not happy with what you’re doing, don’t be there!”
As the name suggests, Bird N Burger also do chicken. “We use a gas-run chargrill machine but it’s all about the seasonings you put on the chicken that make it. Charcoal is good but we make a great chicken regardless,” George explains. “And if customers want to be healthy, they can have a grill pack: two breast fillets, 150 grams each, with two choices of salad.” Bird N Burger has a selection of salads to choose from and also have vegetarian and vegan burgers, seafood options, and a variety of rolls and wraps.
And for a slightly less diet-conscious side, why not a potato scallop? “They’re an old favourite and people love them! Who doesn’t like them?! Sometimes you don’t fee like chips, you prefer a potato scallop and the ones we do are great!” George says.
Bird N Burger can also provide catering, and orders can be made online for pick up or for delivery, as well as by phone.
www.birdnburger.com.au
