this is what happens when I get homesick

[deird1]

Taking a short break from my very fascinating life to educate you all about a great Aussie food: the Hamburger With The Lot.


First up (and just aimed at Americans) - it's not a "sandwich". This is a language issue I've always found weird – Americans seem to classify every single instance of sliced food between bread as a sandwich, and hence end up calling all sorts of things sandwiches even when they're clearly subs or hamburgers.

A short guide

This is a sandwich:

(note the sliced bread)


This is a roll:

(bread roll, cold fillings)


This is a sub:

(really long roll, such as one would find at Subway)


This is a hamburger:

(hot meat patty - probably beef, but could be chicken, in a roll)


So. On to specifics.

To have a proper Aussie hamburger, one should go to a fish and chip shop, where they will have a fine selection of fillings available to you. So, you could look at the filling options and ask for a hamburger "with cheese and tomato", or "with bacon", or simply decide that everything on the menu looks incredibly appetising, so you'll get one "with the lot".

Generally, a hamburger with the lot will include:
- the bread roll
- the meat patty
- lettuce
- tomato
- onion
- cheese
- bacon*
- a fried egg
- beetroot
- tomato sauce

It may also come with pineapple.

The egg is essential. So is the beetroot (although I am a philistine, and tend to decline that bit). They are what makes it a truly Aussie burger. They also make it delicious.

A demonstration:


It should barely fit between your jaws. Otherwise it's just not trying hard enough.

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* Please note: there is a significant difference between Aussie bacon and American bacon.