Bestsellers: A smash burger at the end of the night at Last Place

Thursday, 8 August 2024

Last Place chef Connor Moore said he doesn’t smile much, yet the Waikato Times saw him smile plenty when talking about his smash burger.

If there’s one thing Hamilton’s youth love after a night on the town, it’s a good old fashioned beef burger.

At least that’s what Last Place bar has noticed. It doesn’t matter whether they come for the live music, or the sugary cocktails, the smash burger is what chef Connor Moore cooks up for customers the most.

It’s not always young people, however. Moore said sometimes lost looking young families come through, but they always stay once they settle in.

Last Place’s bestseller is the smash burger, with locally sourced beef and buns, and pickled imported from America.

Last Place provides a drinking spot for many young Hamiltonians, but that doesn’t stop them from creating quality meals as well, with locally sourced ingredients.

Tell us about your bestseller

“Either the single smash or the double smash burger. It seems to be the best one by far.

“It’s onions, pickles, smash patty, and potato bun, with burger sauce and burger cheese. Our meat comes from a local farmer, which is literally just on the outskirts of Hamilton and we get it straight from the farmer.

“We actually import our pickles from America. So it’s a really strong, super vinegary and acidic. And the buns come from Volare.

“We try to use as many local ingredients as we can.”

The buns are potato bread, baked by local bakery Volare.

Why do you think it's so appealing?

“The simplicity of it, honestly. It’s not trying to be anything fancy, it’s just pickles, sauce, meat, and cheese. And I think that’s very much the appeal of it.”

Who's attracted to it?

“It changes everyday. We get so many new people in that have never hear of us before. We’ll get a group of young guys ordering burgers, but then we’ll also get groups of young women doing the same.

“During the week you get big family groups and they’ll sit down and get everything on the menu.

“People are shocked when they walk in sometimes. Obviously we’re a live music venue so when you get a family walk in they’re a bit confused, but as soon as they settle in they love it.”

How much is it?

“A single smash is $15, and then on Wednesdays we do it for $10. And then a double is $20, so basically $5 for an extra patty.”

What's your favourite item/product?

“It probably is the smash burger. It genuinely is the thing I eat the most here.”