What's with The Burger Obsession?

BargainsLurker on 13/12/2023 - 12:10
Last edited 13/12/2023 - 12:37 by 1 other user

Ok this is more of a rant than anything but what is the obsession with burgers in this country?

Our office is catered and every time we have burgers on the menu everyone goes nuts. The crowd favourite seems to be Betty's which, in my opinion, is the worst value burger possible. We're talking 100g of meat, slice of cheese, lettuce and tomato on a bun for $12.50 (beef) or $13.50 (Chicken). Ingredients cost $2 tops, plus it doesn't take any skill at all to put such a simple burger together. It seems pretty poor value to me.

Why is it that no one else sees this?

Food & Grocery Burger

Comments

  • Almost Banned on 13/12/2023 - 12:20
    +2

    I don't think it is as bad as you are making out - but I agree broadly with the points you make.
    Burgers aren't rocket science, even a good smashed patty.

  • Baysew on 13/12/2023 - 12:38
    +1

    What do you like?

    • plmko on 13/12/2023 - 12:49
      +4

      Why add value to a conversation when you can be a downer.

    • BargainsLurker on 13/12/2023 - 12:50
      -4

      I'd happily eat a burger, but for a simple burger like Betty's I would not want to pay more than $9 for it. The public perception of value (or lack thereof) is what I am perplexed about.

      • brendanm on 13/12/2023 - 13:28
        +10

        The same thing applies to basically anything these days.

    • wittyusername on 14/12/2023 - 16:59

      Bahn mi.

  • SnowDragon on 13/12/2023 - 12:38
    +4

    Better than paying Liv Eat or some similar catering where you get a bunch of sandwiches you could have made yourself and a $300+ bill.

    I wouldn't complain about the catering though. Free is free.

    • BargainsLurker on 13/12/2023 - 12:52

      I agree. I'd definitely put all sandwiches in the same category. Regarding "free", it is the opportunity cost. I could be having something else for free that is far more substantial.

      • Craze on 13/12/2023 - 14:49
        +1

        I've never understood those who choose to pay >$10 for sandwiches/burgers as a lunch option- aside from convenience I could prep my own for work lunch at 1/3-1/4 the cafe price.

        • simplystu on 13/12/2023 - 22:12
          +4

          Sadly … until you start working 10-12 hours a day +++ 8-10 hours on a SAT … for 6 SAT (out of every 8 SAT in a row).

          +++ then those poor ppl that have young kids/babies === ARGH.
          No time at all to prepare food for work (let alone have time to even get a proper sleep).

          Sometimes the food van at work is the only option (other than starving).
          .

    • BargainsLurker on 13/12/2023 - 12:44
      -1

      except those are retail prices, at rip-off Coles no less. A restaurant would be paying way less wholesale

      • mskeggs on 13/12/2023 - 13:00
        +15

        Go look at the prices at wholesalers. Most commercial supplies are higher than supermarkets because they offer more useful bulk sizes and delivered convenience.
        Supermarket specials are almost always cheaper, but the extra labour involved in handling 60 500g packets of mince or sending out a staff member to get 200 cans of coke costs more than the saving.
        The exception is if you order fresh produce in bulk - if you are ordering a whole box of lettuce or tomatoes you can make savings over retail prices.
        If you are McDonalds you have pricing influence, if you are Betty’s burgers or similar small operation you’re a price taker.

        • BargainsLurker on 13/12/2023 - 13:30
          +3

          Thank you. That is insightful. I did not know this.

          • kallico on 14/12/2023 - 08:50
            +3

            @BargainsLurker: So you're making assumptions on cost but have no idea of real costs

        • Jimothy Wongingtons on 13/12/2023 - 14:07
          +2

          Yeah exactly
          Also

          Rent
          Insurance
          Wages (even though I’m sure most hospo staff are being taken advantage of)
          Power and water etc
          List goes on

          • BargainsLurker on 13/12/2023 - 14:35

            @Jimothy Wongingtons: I am aware there are other costs involved. As Ozbargainers I expected more people would look at this from a COGS perspective and compare COGS % of expensive burgers compared to COGS % of alternative takeaway food and see that burgers offer a lower value in comparison.

            • SlickMick on 14/12/2023 - 09:54

              @BargainsLurker: Ingredients are not necessarily the main cost. It would be ignorant to ignore indirect costs.

              e.g. What do you pay for a coffee vs what it would cost at home? Yet talk to a coffee shop owner about how profitable it is.

        • Craze on 13/12/2023 - 14:48
          +1

          Correct- I worked part time at a uni cafe years ago and was surprised at the price list of items bought "wholesale".

          I believe this is also the reason why you'd see owners of (small-ish) Asian restaurants sourcing ingredients at Colesworths instead of going through wholesalers.

          • skillet on 14/12/2023 - 10:59

            @Craze: You see them raiding the cooking oil, soft drinks by trolley load when it goes 1/2 price.

      • AustriaBargain on 13/12/2023 - 14:26
        +1

        You'd be surprised. The ingredient cost price is still fairly low of course, but from I've been shown it's actually not cheaper than Colesworth.

      • tomfool on 15/12/2023 - 11:41

        I hear a lot of this ColesWorth rip-offs line is there any hard evidence that this is occurring? Their cost vs profit does not really show this and their year on year growth against CPI and population growth actaully shows in real money terms they are making less.

    • AustriaBargain on 13/12/2023 - 12:50

      17% fat is probably ideal for burgers. McDonald's use 20% fat. Fat is where the flavour is, you wouldn't want lean beef mince for burgers.

      • bargaino on 13/12/2023 - 13:21
        +1

        You don't need that much fat for flavour though. Such high levels are more about texture, including "moisture" feel.

        Years ago, they tried half-fat hamburgers, with carrageenan added to retain extra moisture. Despite doing well in double-blind tests, it didn't sell.

        • AustriaBargain on 13/12/2023 - 13:28

          Most of the fat runs off when cooking. Well I don't know about most, but a lot does.

        • tomfool on 15/12/2023 - 11:43

          20% fat is ideal for a burger anything less and the burger tends to be dry and less juicy

    • trapper on 15/12/2023 - 18:15

      Now add labour.

  • AustriaBargain on 13/12/2023 - 12:49
    +4

    Burgers are delicious. I agree Betty's Burgers aren't great, too sweet and soft. I do like their big cardboard drink cups and other branded packaging though.

    Burgers make you feel good. You feel full and greasy and then gassy, it's all a very good feeling and it makes sense that people love burgers.

  • jv on 13/12/2023 - 12:52
    +2

    Please post on OzRant.

  • pharkurnell on 13/12/2023 - 13:05
    +2

    Why is it that no one else sees this?

    People dont give a shit.. open your own burger chain and join the gravy train

    Boss took us to Squires Loft other night… for $92 i got a medium sized steak probably $15 at the butcher, and 1 potato… No salad - but it was a nice potato…. Total bill was nearly $700 for our group..

    its called they charge what they like and people pay it.

    • BargainsLurker on 13/12/2023 - 13:08
      +1

      its called they charge what they like and people pay it.

      A truer statement cannot be said

    • Ghost47 on 13/12/2023 - 15:05

      $92 for a steak and potato? Wtf prices have definitely gone up since I’ve been there then.

      • pharkurnell on 13/12/2023 - 15:18
        +6

        yea I'd never been… wont be rushing back.

        Waygu Eye Fillet $89
        Pure Black Angus Ribeye $91
        served /w a choice of chips OR salad OR baked potato

        We had people from head office overseas, so wanted them to have the Aussie Experience…. Steak and gettin shafted… Mission Accomplished

        • Ghost47 on 13/12/2023 - 16:24

          Hahaha. I haven’t been in years, but I think the last time I went it was maybe ~$40 for a steak and side.

          • pharkurnell on 13/12/2023 - 16:35

            @Ghost47: Must have been last century ;)

            Was on 89 bux for entree for 4

  • Nillionaire on 13/12/2023 - 13:10
    +3

    Why is it that no one else sees this?

    What exactly do you want us to see? That people like burgers?That burgers have profit margins like everything else?

    It just so happens to be that burgers are popular. What do you wish was popular instead?

  • coffeeinmyveins on 13/12/2023 - 13:20
    +5

    Ingredients cost $2 tops

    LOL ok mate, since the raw cost of ingredients is the only thing that goes into making that burger, right? The rest is pure profit ?

    plus it doesn't take any skill at all to put such a simple burger together

    So you only want to pay for a meal if it meant a lot of technical skill for the chef, regardless of how it tastes? Right ok.

    • BargainsLurker on 13/12/2023 - 13:21
      -2

      I did not insinuate that. You did

      • coffeeinmyveins on 13/12/2023 - 13:21
        +4

        Nah, you did.

        You're the same as someone that complains about a mechanic charging for an oil change when the "cost of the oil is $10".

        Also I love the privlidge. You are getting FREE FOOD delivered to your OFFICE and you're whinging about it on a forum.

        • BargainsLurker on 13/12/2023 - 13:23

          I'm aware that in the restaurant biz the price is normally 3x the raw cost of ingredients. At no point did I assume that the remainder is profit

        • BargainsLurker on 13/12/2023 - 13:29
          -4

          what I can assume is that you probably own a burger shop and thus getting so triggered about someone else complaining about the price of burgers.

          • coffeeinmyveins on 13/12/2023 - 13:30
            +3

            @BargainsLurker: ah, you caught me, it's me the owner of Bettys Burgers!

            Nah, I just find it funny that you're not able to understand why burgers are popular as if you're talking about something actually obscure. It's like saying "why do people drink coke".

            Enjoy your free lunch though. Complain to your office admin if you hate burgers that much.

            • knobbs on 15/12/2023 - 09:43

              @coffeeinmyveins: I don't see what is wrong with asking for an opinion on why people love burgers so much. Even if I was getting something for free and didn't like it that much I would see if it could be changed for something I do. It's probably already factored into their wages anyway, so in a way will actually be paying for it.
              Would be a pretty shit place to work if they don't value your opinion and just did whatever the hell they want. Try that at your workplace

    • ThithLord on 14/12/2023 - 10:39
      +1

      plus it doesn't take any skill at all to put such a simple burger together

      This is why majority of burger chains are horrible, eh?

  • Miami Mall Alien on 13/12/2023 - 13:25
    +8

    what is the obsession with burgers in this country?

    Almost every culture on earth has some kind of dish that consists of meat stuffed into a portable, convenient, bread-encased serving that can be eaten by hand.

    I'd go so far as to say that the burger/kebab or other regional variations of a grilled meat sandwich is probably the most universally popular dish on the planet these days.

    • coffeeinmyveins on 13/12/2023 - 13:29
      -2

      This response gives me ChatGPT vibes for some reason, as if it were trying to describe what a burger was to another computer, haha.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 13/12/2023 - 14:09

      kebab

      Oh hell yeah - wish my office would trade a few pizza days for kebab days!

      • pharkurnell on 13/12/2023 - 14:11
        +1

        yea i'd be in on that too… or sandwiches cut into quarters that nobody eats for kebabs…

        • Jimothy Wongingtons on 13/12/2023 - 14:13

          yo those are some of my favourites, just no nonsense egg-lettuce-mayo , or tomato-ham, or ham-cheese.

  • RR88 on 13/12/2023 - 14:12
    +4

    you sound like fun

    • BargainsLurker on 13/12/2023 - 14:24
      +2

      Never pretended that I was. I hate parties.

      • LFO on 14/12/2023 - 12:10
        +5

        I hate parties.

        I hate parties patties

        ;-]

  • theHMASfriendship on 13/12/2023 - 14:16
    +1

    Not only that, other things are more expensive than what they used to be too! Gosh

  • jellykingdom on 13/12/2023 - 14:33
    +2

    I love burgers but i totally agree with you re pricing.

    Corner deli can do a damn decent burger for $9. Why does a burger from a slightly fancier burger joint (i.e one with graffiti on the walls, and hip-hop themed menu) cost $20? They don't add that much truffle mayo or onion rings. Yeah the rent does add to it, and wages if you aren't just paying family members to work the front counter. Still feels too much to me. I think its more that they reached a happy price point where people will pay it, even if they aren't entirely happy with it

    I did read the article where the Burgerhead guys talked about the public perception that burgers are overpriced and how it isn't really true, but they were only charging more like $13-15

    I'm not sure why everyone is jumping down your throat about it. This pricing problem (or perception of a problem) is a pretty common trend with 'flavour of the month' foods. Cupcakes, donuts, burgers. List goes on

    • BargainsLurker on 13/12/2023 - 14:37

      Thank you! This is exactly what I am talking about. Being a forum of Ozbarginers I expected more people would be able to compare COGS % of different types of takeaway food and see that burgers offer low value.

      • jellykingdom on 13/12/2023 - 14:38
        +2

        Meh its the internet. People are firstly a bunch of whiny little school children, then secondly bargain hunters haha

    • Gunnar on 13/12/2023 - 22:27

      Lol Burgerhead. Known for their ability to keep their retail business open ;-)

      Full disclosure I do love Burgerhead, rate their cheeseburger very very highly. Haven’t had it since they shut up shop and given how much I hate food trucks, I’m unlikely to have it again

  • foxmulder on 13/12/2023 - 14:35

    pizza and Mexican food for me :)

  • pformag on 13/12/2023 - 14:37
    +2

    $13 doesn't sound too crazy. In Perth, you are looking at the $25.00 range with fries for sports bar / pub.

    • pharkurnell on 13/12/2023 - 14:55

      Ive noticed that the prices in pubs for nearly everything has gone up 10bux… what was $20 is now 30 etc…

    • El cheepo on 13/12/2023 - 23:22

      Paid $19 for a burger, no sides at a truckstop today.

      To be fair i was 3 hours north of Perth, so I’ll take that on the chin…

      But burgers here are expensive in general.

  • pharkurnell on 13/12/2023 - 14:55
    +4

    Why are people not marching down the streets with pitchforks and burning logs over how shit McD, Hungrys etc burgers really are… Compared to the local fish and chip shop burgers…

    The sludge meat on a Big Mac is nearly see through these days

    I'd love just once for the burger to look like the picture instore.

    • BargainsLurker on 13/12/2023 - 14:57

      I'm hoping this post would inspire such a movement! lol

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 13/12/2023 - 16:20
      +1

      big mac fair enough

      but the humble whopper with cheese, and zinger fillet burger are 10/10 any day all day every day haha

      • Gunnar on 13/12/2023 - 22:28
        +1

        I thought you were a Krusty Burger kinda guy

    • skillet on 14/12/2023 - 11:03

      HJ burgers still ok, maccas and KFC has them adult mini burgers now, shrinkflation hits hard.

  • Hirolol on 14/12/2023 - 07:23
    +3

    Ingredients cost $2 tops, plus it doesn't take any skill at all to put such a simple burger together.

    Can literally say the part in regards to cost about any food you don’t like.
    Someone said steak, $15 from the butcher but shop charges $90+’
    Pasta cost a few bucks from the supermarket but restaurants charge $25+
    There are way more overpriced burger out there, ever been to Royal stacks?

    • BargainsLurker on 14/12/2023 - 08:33

      Nah there's a difference with food that takes more skill to cook than slapping a patty on a bun. Plus we're talking the difference between dine in (where you are paying rent for your bum and staff to wash up after you) vs takeaway

      • Hirolol on 14/12/2023 - 12:40

        Slapping together a plate of meat/steak and slapping together some pasta, boil it and add some sauce.
        It’s all the same man.
        There are big differences with types of burgers and how good they taste.
        You clearly hate burgers so your argument will be biased.

        • BargainsLurker on 14/12/2023 - 15:39

          nah I'm biased against poor value, so if you gave me a box of cold dry napolitana pasta and charge me $30 for it. I would make exactly the same rant

  • mike6969 on 14/12/2023 - 08:32
    +1

    mama's burger over Mcdonalds every time

    • pharkurnell on 14/12/2023 - 11:09
      +1

      Road kill over McDonalds every time…

  • 2esc on 14/12/2023 - 10:51

    Burger obsession?

    No idea what your talking about.

    Bettys?

    I guess its a burger joint haven't seen any in my part of the world I'll have to look them up.

  • ECE on 14/12/2023 - 11:05

    The Burgers are better at Hungry Jacks 🙃🤣

  • LFO on 14/12/2023 - 11:57

    It seems pretty poor value to me.

    Minced meat has a high nutritional value and far easier to digest. Except for vegetarian, of course.

    Also is easier to eat/consume than a 100g steak (beef/pork/chicken), no utensils, no saucers. Uncouth but effective.

  • doctordv8 on 14/12/2023 - 13:04
    +1

    When shops return to the under $8 Works Steak Burger assembled correctly… let's talk again.

    I miss those days…. now it is Dave's burger home made that do not fall apart, against overpriced & only edible because of closed eyes and a good sauce.

    Miss a good value steak sanga too…. ahhhh, the joys of age… we get to 'miss' more stuff than you young kids!!

    Have you seen those burgers with a 3 figure price tag????

    • BargainsLurker on 14/12/2023 - 15:43

      Those old school fish n chip shop burgers with the egg and beetroot for $8, they were great.

  • Drpepper666 on 14/12/2023 - 13:58

    Betty's best burgers

  • eckorock on 14/12/2023 - 20:16

    The real scandal is

    1. Pubs and bistros charging $28+ for a normal burger and chips

    2. Brioche replacing normal buns

  • smartazz104 on 15/12/2023 - 12:12
    +1

    Ingredients cost $2 tops, plus it doesn't take any skill at all to put such a simple burger together

    I'll give you $5 for this same burger if you make it for me.

  • Sinnerator on 17/12/2023 - 09:11

    I see it
    I only buy burgers from old style fish and chip joints, like a burger with the lot for $11

    The same mentality of person who uses uber eats pays $13 for a tiny burger or $20 for a medium-size burger (burger only) that other than glossy-ads have nothing special abut them

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