Peter Glouftis takes protein seriously. As the founder of The Lamb Shop, Peter conquered tastebuds in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast with succulent spit-roasted lamb souvlaki. He has since sold The Lamb Shop to new owners, but he’s looking to spark a similar sense of sensory ecstasy with Junior Classic Cheeseburger – his brand-new pop-up concept that specialises in sizzling smash burgers. Peter has drawn inspiration from the famed street-eat scene of Los Angeles, where nomadic smash-burger operations like Tripp Burgers, Goldburger, Proudly Serving and Easy Street Burgers pop up in empty parking lots, street corners and cul-de-sacs, slinging single, double and triple-patty burgers made simply, but well. That’s exactly what Junior Classic Cheeseburger is all about – sweet simplicity. The set up is sparse – a grill, portable deep fryer and a bain-marie comprised all of the equipment on hand, while a red corflute board with the words Junior Classic Cheeseburger printed on it is all you can expect in the way of signage. While Peter and his crew of patty smashers aren’t keeping their operation a secret, their adhering to the street-side aesthetic closely. You’ll find them set up every Friday outside of Black Sheep Coffee on Norman Street in Woolloongabba or, if it’s raining, tucked inside the entry to Black Sheep’s new location in the works just across the road.

Even though a smash burger is comprised of three main ingredients – meat, cheese and bun – there are a few nuances that separate a good burger from a great one. First is the patty – Peter has opted for a combination of prime chuck, brisket and bacon (supplied by Low N Slow Meat Co.) to create a balanced taste and texture profile. Second is the cheese, which is American, of course. Finally, Martin’s potato rolls make for a marshmallow-soft yet sturdy foundation to get to grips with. The finishing touches include a sprinkling of diced onion, a few pickles and a squirt of tomato sauce and mustard. If you’re feeling adventurous, we suggest also asking for a dollop of Junior Classic’s special sauce, which blends a bit of sweetness with acidity to give the chomping experience an extra kick. Shoestring fries are available with your choice of regular or chicken salt, or you can go the whole hog and have them lathered in cheese and a spoonful or two of Peter’s chilli – made using three kinds of chillies imported from Mexico. You can find Junior Classic Cheeseburger at Black Sheep Coffee every Friday from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The team will also be slinging Eggslut-style breakfast sandwiches and twice-cooked mushroom burgers with goats cheese every first and third Saturday.