[Opened June 2013, Closed March 2014]
Poor old Hotwheels. This Americana burger joint has looked ready to open for around six months but the doors are always shut.
We walk past Hotwheels at least five times a week, and every single time we have a glimmer of hope that it will be open. But alas not. There's often people inside working, fixing things or cleaning. For days on end we might only see a piece of deconstructed shop fitting on the floor. Last week we thought we saw a team 'giddyup' meeting. There is always hope, but Hotwheels never opens.
We never really planned on eating there, but the saga is so drawn out we feel sorry for whoever has forked out a fair chunk of money for that faux 1950's diner fitout. Somebody has been paying rent for at least six months too. Would it be a grand a week rent there? $1k x 4 weeks x 6 months = shitloads.
We have no idea what is going on but we can only guess there is some kind of dispute, a soured partnership or a hastily-signed contract can kill a business in a flash. It was comical at first, but now we just feel sorry for whoever is bleeding cash.
The icing on the cake however, (or in American diner talk, the cheese on the apple pie), is that Hotwheels have negative reviews on food review site Urbanspoon before they serve their first burger.
Here's funny, funny review... http://www.utsfoodguide.com.au/
A bit of dough was spent on the fitout. The menu board lists at least 10 types of burgers, cotton candy, fries, pancakes and drinks.
Every day we walk by and hope that this will be the day Hot Wheels Burgers opens. Then we see the chairs are still up on the counter on the window. Maybe tomorrow.
[UPDATED MAY 10 2013...]
We walked past tonight and saw cans of cooking oil on the floor - could this be a sign that Hotwheels will open soon?
...a couple of days later than cans have moved and we see a dude sweeping the floor... but no burger flipping...
20/5/13 - we noticed the chairs usually on the front window counter were down on the floor and there was a bunch of folks inside that looked like staff...
13/6/13 - we've seen folks in there over the last weeks, and equipment in various states of array on the floor. We believe the place isn't a bikie front, but it's run by lizards.
When it does finally open, Hotwheels Burgers is at 165 Broadway, Ultimo.
24/6/13 - my god, it was actually open tonight. We've seen a couple of staff training nights and what looked like a soft opening for friends, but today it really looked open. Well that takes the fun out of it...
[UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2013]
Folks have written some pretty negative stuff about Hot Wheels on the net but it's OK, nothing amazing but we'd stop by again if we got burger cravings in Broadway.
Monster Wheel burger with chippies and a drink, about $12.90. We are more fans of the old school Aussie burger with beetroot so we're not good judges of the Gen Y burger. But this tastes OK to us, the patty isn't exciting but the fixin's are fresh. We got the same sort of vibe from a Moo burger. Crinkle cut chips divide the nation but we're on the 'pro' side, we love 'em.
Mexican wheel - or something like that - about $8.50. Kind of like a cheeseburger with some taco sauce or something. The taco sauce or something is dang nice, even has a little chili kick.
This is so funny! I have walked past and noticed that it wasn't open but didn't realise it has been so long. Gosh Sydneysiders are harsh critics these days!
ReplyDeleteI have been waiting for this place to open for ages. Maybe it will never open, maybe it's all a front for money laundering or a secret society hangout.
ReplyDeleteDid you see in 2011 it used to have a logo pretty much a copy of Burger King's? It wasn't open then...and i can't remember what it was before? In fact I think it has always been a burger shop but I've actually not seen it open before?
ReplyDeleteHaha that's right - the shop in that spot prior was a burger store that took eternity to open. It did actually open but only for a couple of weeks from memory, maybe a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteNegatives on urbanspoon are funny but then again, it also has 7 *likes* there that I find equally puzzling. just what did these people like about it, the decor they saw through the window?
ReplyDeleteEven more puzzling is that we've had more hits from this post that posts about restaurants that are actually open...
Deletehahahaha great post XP! i've noticed this place but had no idea that it was never open all this time (was on the bus to/from newtown at the time). would love to know the story behind that...seriously 6 months?
ReplyDeleteWe noticed someone sweeping in there on Sunday, the opening suspense is killing us!
DeletePretty sure this place is a motorcycle club run operation (and was when it was the chicken burger place before) therefore losing money is the point.
ReplyDeleteYes, finally a conspiracy theory!
DeleteSo... prior to 'hotwheels', there was 'King Burger'. Let me tell you, there was nothing King about it. Asian owners that didn't speak English, yelling from counter to kitchen and still using the 'OGalo' wrapping! They sooo knew what they were doing! I digress. So, I (and a few others), scope this place out every day(we work in the next block) waiting in anticipation for some old school American burgers. We've even left notes under the door simply saying provide an update on ur door at least, just don't tease. But nada. Feels like when (and if) it does open, we should all get together for that first lunch!!!
ReplyDeleteAh yes I think King Burger lasted a few weeks if that, you are privileged to have eaten there. There's folks in there every few nights, and what looks like a staff meeting now and again. Every day I walk past and just for a moment I think the doors are open, then as you say, nada.
DeleteI've seen a guy in there the last two nights I've been past - just sort of wandering/sitting around though, not doing any sort of obvious restaurant-setup-related activities... I think perhaps I'm going with the conspiracy theorists on this one :P
ReplyDeleteIt's a front...just like that Olympia place on Parramatta Road at Stanmore.
ReplyDeleteThe Olympia Milk Bar is simply an old man who refuses to close up. I fear for his safety having the door open and no lights on until late at night.
DeleteActually, Olympia is a front for him and his friends gambling. The old bloke who sits on the milk carton all day outside the newsagent is one of them. Milk Bar had it's hey day when there was a cinema there. Now it's a nice reminder of how fucked Pmatta road is for business.
DeleteFunniest thing I've read all day, especially living almost next door! Keep up the good work guys!
ReplyDeleteUpdate
ReplyDeleteSaw a loved-up young Asian couple having lunch and canoodling by the table. One guy tried the door and turned to his friend and said, 'still closed'!
We saw a whole group of people eating in there Friday night - but the door was closed. Maybe they were having a trial run?
DeleteIT'S OPEN! Guys I would love to be your guest to eat there. Let me know if you head down
ReplyDeleteYes, you can be our guest for sure.
DeleteI couldn't wait - http://www.utsfoodguide.com.au/
DeleteI'm curious to see what you guys think
Oh man that's funny! - http://www.utsfoodguide.com.au
DeleteI went there today!
ReplyDeleteMeh, the burgers were ok. Waited 30 mins for it and the order was wrong but it wasn't terrible.
Probably won't bother going back though. It felt like I was in smurf village
Hahahaha Smurf Village - touche!
DeleteLong anticipated opening, I ate their Friday. The regular serving of the Aloha burger was very generous, patty could have been cooked longer, don't want my meat mooing at me. But that was the only negative. The chips had bacon seasoning, the staff are polite and friendly.
ReplyDeleteUpdate! Something happened! !!
ReplyDeleteFor lease. Bye bye Hotwheels, we barely (never) knew you.
http://instagram.com/p/lom3RNmK5y/