Emilia reviews an eatery that's PERFECT for a school holiday outing

Easey’s 
48 Easey St
Collingwood 

If Melbourne ever decided to build a monument to burgers, it would look exactly like Easey’s. Three retired train carriages perched on a rooftop in Collingwood, draped in graffiti and nostalgia, staring proudly over the skyline. It’s part restaurant, part art installation, part excuse to eat wildly good comfort food at altitude. It’s everything a school holiday outing should be – fast, fun, loud, and absolutely delicious.

Easey’s was dreamt up by Melbourne burger legend and street artist Jimmy Hurlston. Jimmy Burgers to those in the know, who spent years traveling Australia reviewing burgers before deciding he’d better start making his own. Opened in 2015, it became an instant icon. Hurlston’s ethos is simple: take what everyone loves about fast food, do it properly, and do it with personality. The whole thing feels like Melbourne in burger form- creative, cheeky, a bit gritty, and full of heart.

Inside, the fit-out is a deliberate mash-up of urban chaos and nostalgia. Downstairs, you’ve got the bar, arcade games flashing in the corner, and even a golf simulator- yes, you can smash a few drives before smashing a burger. It feels like a playground for grown-ups: loud music, graffiti murals, steel beams, and street-art-covered walls.

Head upstairs (or all the way up, if you’re lucky enough to score a seat in one of the train carriages), and you’re greeted by diner-style tables and windows overlooking Collingwood rooftops. Hip-hop hums through the speakers, beers flow freely, and you quickly realise Easey’s isn’t just somewhere to eat- it’s somewhere to hang out.

Let’s start with the Fried Chicken Sandwich, mine on a gluten-free bun, because curiosity demanded it,  and it was hands down the best gluten-free bun I’ve ever had. Light, fluffy, not crumbly, not cardboard. The chicken is all crisp skin and juicy tenderness, with a spice blend that hits that ideal mid-point between Southern-style comfort and Melbourne cleverness.

Then there’s the Oklahoma Fried Onion Burger, a smash burger inspired by 1920s Oklahoma diners, where fresh beef was smashed onto piles of shaved onions on a hot grill. Easey’s keeps it true: thin patties with caramelised onions melting right into the beef. It’s sweet, salty, and perfectly greasy,  dangerously easy to demolish. It pairs beautifully with a Greasy Fingers Grenache Shiraz, which tempers the richness and gives it just a little class.

The Rowdy Cheeseburger takes no prisoners. Double beef, double cheese, pickles, mustard, lettuce- it’s loud, messy, and fun. The Mac ‘n’ Cheese Dawg is straight American comfort: think hotdog smothered in molten mac and cheese, topped with bacon bits for crunch. It’s indulgent chaos, and somehow, completely logical at Easey’s.

Easey’s doesn’t treat sides as sides, they’re co-stars. The Buffalo Chicken Wings are stellar. Perfectly crisp, sauced with that classic tangy, spicy Buffalo glaze invented in upstate New York, balanced just enough to make you crave another round. The Brazilian Cheese Balls (pão de queijo, to be pedantic) bring South American flair – cheesy, chewy, and comforting. Then you’ve got classic Chips, salty and golden, and the Potato Cake, which might just be Melbourne’s best-kept secret. Crisp shell, fluffy potato inside – it tastes like the best version of Friday night nostalgia. Rivaling local fish-and-chip royalty is no small feat, but Easey’s just might manage it.

Easey’s also brews its own Easey Lager – a smooth, refreshing tinnie that feels tailor-made for burger pairing. For wine lovers, the Greasy Fingers Grenache Shiraz is a standout – bright, juicy, and versatile enough to hold its own against onion, cheese, and beef.

And if you’re chasing a sugar hit, the classic Milkshake brings diner vibes full circle – thick, creamy, and unapologetically old-school.

Dessert came down to two contenders: the Oreo Cheesecake, which is indulgent and nostalgic, and the Sticky Date Pudding Balls – warm, squishy, syrupy perfection. Those pudding balls in particular deserve their own fan club. Bite-sized happiness that finishes the night on a sweet high.

Beyond the burgers, Easey’s packs in fun wherever it can. The downstairs level houses an indoor golf simulator, arcade machines, and a lively bar area that draws a crowd even without burgers involved. They’ve hosted music gigs, pop-ups, and collaborations with local brewers and artists – because of course, this is Collingwood, and creativity comes standard.

Easey’s isn’t just about eating; it’s about hanging out. It’s that rare spot where teenagers, families, and long-lost mates can all find common ground over a potato cake and a pint.

Jimmy Hurlston’s mission was simple: make burgers Melbourne-worthy. And he’s done it. Easey’s is equal parts eatery and experience – a rooftop hangout that’s gritty in the best way, playful without being pretentious, and deeply local.

Whether you’re here for the burgers, the views, or the fact you can tee off in a golf sim while waiting for your wings, Easey’s nails Melbourne’s vibe: creative, confident, and just a bit cheeky.