The humble butcher shop set up in the cosy country town of Branxton has resurfaced with a fresh fit-out and a foodie offering not to be missed. Brought to you by long-time favourite Hunter region butcher, Hungerford Meat Co, Burgers by HMC has quickly become a local favourite as well as enticing keen burger lovers out to Branxton.

Hungerford Meat Co. has been a bit of a household name for homes in the Hunter region, known for producing some of the best butchery goods for many years. Since 2016, when current owner Michael Robinson took over the business, Hungerford Meat Co. has continued offering high-quality goods with the community at its core but with a fresh and elevated approach.

The last 12 months have seen the local joint receive a facelift with Melbourne-based residential architect, Clinton Murray, working to create space that perfectly melds together the historical value of the building, the needs of a butcher, and a crisp yet still fun interior vibe.

“We were cautious not to go too over the top with the renovations and I think we’ve really found that perfect balance,” Michael said.

Renovations were in place to bring an exposed dry-aged room off to the side of the butchery, but with council approvals falling through, the question of what to do with this empty space came up.

“We had been doing a market up the road of a Saturday morning where we would sell breakfast burgers. They were going crazy so putting a burger spot in here seemed like a bit of a no-brainer. We had been considering doing a burger place somewhere else in town in the future, but then we just thought why not do it here, and then it’s all happening on site.”

Before long, the space was filled with all the equipment needed to be slinging out some of the best burgers known to man. Don’t believe me? You’ll just have to swing by Burgers by HMC to sample for yourself.

“The whole idea was to keep it really simple. We’re going to actually add a hotdog to the menu and then that will be it. It’s got to be quick. The whole thing was for it just to be a hole-in-the-wall quick takeaway joint. It’s elevated fast food; it’s simple and approachable. There’s not much more to it.”

Keeping the offering nice and simple, keen foodies can expect to see the signature HMC Dry Aged Cheeseburgers available with either single, double, or triple patty and topped with cheese, pickles, mustard, and ketchup.

Up next is the humble Hamburger complete with HMC beef patty, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and HMC sauce. For something with a little bit of everything, get your hands on The HMC with a double beef patty, double cheese, HMC bacon, onion, pickles, and HMC sauce.

What goes perfectly with a good burger? Chips of course.

Drop by Branxton and experience the hole-in-the-wall takeaway joint that is Burgers by HMC for a truly delectable burger experience. It’s - FAT. JUICY. LOCAL.

Whilst you’re there, you’d be mad not to drop into the freshly fitted out butchery space which is a talking point in itself. A butchery unlike any other, Hungerford Meat Co. has been an institution for the local community since its inception in 1937 and has been beautifully brought back to life with a detailed interior featuring exquisitely presented products.

With Michael’s extensive career as a chef, taking over Hungerford Meat Co. meant an exciting new and elevated direction for the local business. Pulling on his knowledge and experience in the charcuterie world and knowing the advantage of working with top-tier producers, a new vibe for HMC was born.

The team at Hungerford Meat Co. produces all of their own charcuterie, with everything produced made from free-range pigs, making them one of very few doing so across the country.

“Harking to back the origins of charcuterie, our focus is firmly on using the whole animal and on making small-batch charcuterie. As in the European tradition, each season we work with the farmer to fatten up a pig or two for our platinum range.”

Moving into the meat selection, all of HMC’s products are sourced from local producers that the team has built great working relationships, focussing on sustainability and ethically reared animals.

There is so much to love about what the team is doing here in Branxton and we can’t wait to see what else this local business brings to the Hunter region in years to come. Whether you’re on the lookout for a reason to drop out to the country and get your hands on some juicy burgers or are keen to get your hands on some incredible meat cuts, drop by Hungerford Meat Co. and Burgers by HMC.