A Love Letter to Fergburger
- Piece of Cake Staff
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
Written by Lindsay Grohs
I truly think one of my favorite feelings is when you try a new food, recipe, or meal and instantly know that it changed you in some way, shape, or form. Whether it created a memory, became a new favorite spot, or was just a really favorable meal, I think there is something special about moments like these. I recently experienced something like this during my time in New Zealand when trying Fergburger.
Fergburger
Fergburger is a burger establishment in Queenstown with burgers that are consistently ranked among the best in the world by celebrities, blogs, news outlets, and, of course, the locals and tourists. After trying one, I completely understand why.
Fergburger originated in 2001 as a late-night burger bar. Since then, it has moved to its current location, located on Shotover Street, and grown tremendously, both as a business and as a cultural icon. Interestingly, the origin of Ferg remains a hazy mystery. “Ferg” is said to be someone different to everyone: “Some say he was an old goldminer, some say he was the first person to go over the Shotover in a barrel; to us, he is the person who guides us, makes us look after our customers, and creates fun things” (McKenzie-McLean, 2020). On top of this, the current owner, Richard Anthony Redvers Smith, likes to keep a low profile, reinforcing the air of mystery that surrounds Fergburger and its other establishments.
So, should we talk about the burgers now? The burgers themselves are about as fresh as they can get. The patties, sauces, and buns are all handmade in-house. Truly insane. The first time I visited Fergburger, I ordered the Sweet Bambi burger: a venison patty topped with brie cheese, boysenberry and caramelized onion chutney, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and aioli. I also tried the Classic Fergburger with double beef and cheese, featuring prime New Zealand beef, lettuce, tomato, red onion, aioli, & tomato relish. I genuinely don’t know if I have the words to do these burgers justice, but I’m going to try!
The Sweet Bambi delivered a slightly gamey richness, balanced with strong notes of apple and onion, holding creamy, perfectly melted brie cheese, and lingering notes of blackberry and raspberry from the chutney, all tied together with a freshly baked bun. It was superb and clearly crafted with both love and technique. The Classic Fergburger tasted clean and rich with sweet, creamy, bright notes from the relish, tied together with freshness from the lettuce and tomato on a freshly baked bun.
I went back two more times in the three days I was in Queenstown to get more burgers, as well as visit their other establishments next door. These include FergBaker, Ferg’s Bar, & Mrs. Ferg’s.
FergBaker
FergBaker serves pastries, pies, and sandwiches. The pies vary between sweet and savory, with the savory ones often featuring some sort of meat. We tried the lamb and kumara (sweet potato) and steak & cheese pies, along with the sausage roll (pork shoulder and pork belly mixed in a pie-like pastry roll). The crunchy crust, combined with the soft, gooey inside of these pies, makes them absolutely incredible.
Ferg’s Bar
Ferg’s Bar serves a variety of drinks, including wines, beers, specialty cocktails, and non-alcoholic options, as well as breakfast items in the morning and tapas in the afternoon/evening. The hospitality at this location is unbelievable. Not only are they quick to seat and serve you, but they also create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere that sets the tone for the dining experience. The staff is attentive and extremely kind. On the second night there, the staff surprised every table with a complimentary snack. And it was far from the typical peanuts and crackers bar fare. Instead, we were served freshly sliced ham cut straight off the leg, crisp crackers with herb crème fraîche, bruschetta topped with fresh herbs, and a side of olives. The specialty cocktails I tried were delightful (& strong!). Same with the beer.
Mrs. Ferg’s
Mrs. Ferg’s is the place to get ice cream, gelato, and coffee. Their coffee is beautifully crafted, waking you up and keeping you warm. While we (regretfully) didn’t try any of their ice creams or gelatos, they looked phenomenal. Not to mention that the selection to choose from was vast.
Ferg & Co. establishments are doing a lot right, from the variety of food and beverage options they offer to the volume of foot traffic they handle, all while delivering consistently exceptional flavor. In one corner of town, you can find everything from coffee to beer, pies to burgers and sandwiches, and ice cream to gelato. And tying it all together is hospitality that feels genuine and deeply ingrained in the experience. If you’re ever in Queenstown, I highly recommend visiting these places (or a few).
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