As a former member of the Bulimba Bulldogs first-grade rugby team, Sean Haufe has seen firsthand how lively Hawthorne can get – even on a Tuesday night. In recent years Hawthorne Road has seen an influx of new hospitality concepts, with the likes of Sister Cafe, The Fishmonger’s Wife, Downtown Istanbul and Mucho Mexicano helping bring the strip out of the shadow of Bulimba’s Oxford Street. As owner of Ze Pickle’s Camp Hill outlet, Sean has kept his eye on Hawthorne as a potential suburb for expansion – a prospect that became a reality with the announcement of The Hammel Group and PPI Property Group’s foodie micro precinct Two Sixty Five, which has taken shape next to the Cineplex. After a mutual connection linked Sean with the leasing team at the development, he soon signed on to make Ze Pickle one of the hub’s anchor tenants. On Wednesday December 16, Ze Pickle Hawthorne opened its doors at the rear of Two Sixty Five, showing off a slick symmetrical industrial-inspired fit-out, with textured rendered-concrete walls that curve into the ceiling, cushy leather booths, a scattering of low-set outdoor tables, strip lighting, a back-lit bar and even a cheeky bit of neon.
Ze Pickle Hawthorne’s menu is largely uniform with its sibling locations (which include Brisbane locations in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane Airport and Sean’s Camp Hill joint), but those that haven’t indulged are in for a treat. The menu features a host of mouth-watering choices, starting with the IPA-beer-cheeze-soaked Ze Chips, popcorn shrimp, applewood-smoked pulled-pork “porkitas”, gooey double crumbed and fried jack-cheeze sticks, and “legit AF” barbecue and buffalo wings. The burgers can be best described as maximalist in the funnest sense – the 3AM boasts a grass-fed beef patty, maple-smoked bacon, a fried cheeze stick and guac, the pecan-wood-smoked brisket burger also features a dollop of mac ‘n’ cheese and fried onion straws, the Mash Mash City Bish layers crispy fried chicken with cheeze, truffle-buttered mash potato, southern-seasoned fries and maple gravy, while the description-defying Triple Loco needs to be seen to be believed. Oh, and if you have room for dessert (kudos to you, chief), Ze Pickle’s deep-fried Twix tacos, Oreos deep fried in doughnut batter and baked caramel MnMs cookie-dough skillet will surely leave you glassy eyed in contented bliss. As always, this Ze Pickle outlet is equipped with 12 beer taps, each cycling through a selection of local craft beers. A 20-strong cocktail list features tantalising Ze Pickle twists on classic concoctions, while a set of slushie machines dispense frozen pina coladas and bubblegum margaritas.
Ze Pickle Hawthorne is now open! Got a hunger that can only be conquered by a whopping feast? Hit the Stumble Guide for Ze Pickle’s operating hours.
