It’s no secret we love American cuisine here in Melbourne. There was a time not so long ago, when the obsession with fried chicken got a little out of hand, but we think that’s under control now. With fried chicken no longer dominating completely, we can enjoy an array of American cuisine along with a craft brew or two from the land of the free. In ode of America’s Fourth of July we thought it was a perfect opportunity to share some of our favourites. Here’s to a BBQ fuelled food coma.

Meatmother

Located on Swan Street in Richmond, this is the place to go if you’re after a serious plate of meat. Smoking for 12 hours before you arrive, the meat at this place is well looked after. The meat tray is the go-to. A plate of either wagyu brisket, hot link, smokey tender pulled pork, pork belly rib, pasture-fed beef short rib, or New York striploin. You then get a piece of Texas Toast (just a big arse slice of bread) and a side of your choice – chipotle slaw, peas, mint, and feta, mac and cheese, fried sprouts with lardons, fries, or mash and gravy. Chicken ribs, pulled pork buns, and pork scratchings are also on rotation, as well we a peanut butter cheesecake. Craft beers, local and imported, cocktails, and bourbon dominate the drinks list.

167 Swan Street, Richmond
(03) 9041 5393
www.meatmother.com.au

Le Bon Ton

Le Bon Ton is a beautiful old-school vibed hotel on Gipps Street in Collingwood. With a lot of exposed brick, dim light, and nooks to hide in, this place is perfect to lose a few hours, or more. The food is strongly focused on American cuisine, taking inspiration from across the whole country. The menu starts with oysters, chicken ribs, crab cakes, black bean hummus, and chilli cheese fries. You’ll then find the 12 hour pit-smoked meats like the brisket, pork shoulder, jalapeño and cheddar hot-link sausages, or a selection of all of the above. Onion rings, cheeseburgers, and salads round out the menu. The drinks list is long enough to be worth the trouble alone, with cocktails, craft brews, wine, and absinthe all making a heavy feature.

51 Gipps Street, Collingwood
(03) 94164341
www.lebonton.com.au

Po’ Boy Quarter

From the team behind Gumbo Kitchen, Po’Boy Quarter takes inspiration from Louisiana. The stripped back wooden and exposed brick space on Smith Street in Collingwood is known for fried chicken – think Cajun inspired wings with chipotle mayo, key lime pie, cocktails, and of course Po’ Boys. You can go for a freshly shucked or deep fried po’ boy, a battered catfish po’ boy, or even fried green tomatoes. There’s nothing quite like juicy fried goodness served between bread, right?

295 Smith Street, Fitzroy
(03) 9419 2130

The Beaufort and Ike’s Rack Shack

The Beaufort in Carlton is a dive bar to rival all dive bars. With a serious sailor theme, lots of heavy woods, including a bar you can carve your name into, and a thing for strong cocktails, this place likes to have fun. They also like to serve up BBQ from their friends out the back, Ike’s Rack Shack. You can go for pork, beef, or lamb ribs, or if meat isn’t your thing, they’ve even got vegan ribs of smoked tomato, polenta, quinoa, zucchini, and garlic. Burgers, deep fried Brussels sprouts, and a classic apple pie mean more than ribs is going to be ordered.

421 Rathdowne Street, Carlton
www.thebeaufort.com.au

Bowery to Williamsburg

When you’re more into a classic sandwich than a plate of smoked meats Bowery to Williamsburg is your venue. Now with two venues (Oliver Lane and Hardware Street) you can get more of your sandwich fix. Six different types of bagels start off the menu with your choice of toppings. You can then move to a Reuben sandwich, a philly cheese steak with smoked beef brisket, or a falafel wrap. Your sandwich can also come with pretzels and pickles, which is fun. NY Cheesecakes and chocolate peanut butter brownies solidify the food coma for the day.

16 Oliver Lane and 123 Hardware Street Melbourne
www.facebook.com/bowerytowilliamsburg

Fancy Hank’s BBQ

Fancy Hank’s on Queen Street in Melbourne is serious about meats. Free range BBQ meats come in the form of Angus beef brisket, beef short ribs, Carolina style chopped hog, Kansas City style pork ribs, sausages, or chicken. You can also get it served in a sandwich or with salad on the side. As the trend continues, American BBQ goes well with craft brews and cocktails. With 21 bottles of ciders and beers, plus another eight on tap, you’re bound to find something you like. Plus another 12 cocktails (think Negronis and Martinis) and 11 wines by the glass and bottle. Booze and BBQ. Do you need more convincing?

456 Queen Street, Melbourne
www.fancyhanks.com

Slow Beer

Sometimes you want to buy now and drink later. Or maybe you’re warming up your own smoking pit at home and need some American craft brews to go with them. That’s where Slow Beer comes in. With around 40 brands from the USA available, the team can talk you through the options so you know the best brew to match your dinner. They’ve got anything from Sierra Nevada to Big Sky to Stumblefoot.

486 Bridge Road, Richmond
www.slowbeer.com.au