Every meat-free fast food burger in New Zealand, reviewed and ranked

Summer reissue: Kind-of vegetarian Alex Casey brings you the only meat-free fast food burger ranking you’ll ever need.  First published October 31 2020 At the start of the year, several centuries ago, I went vegetarian. Kind of. As a coward with commitment issues, I decided to enter into a dietary Yes Man situation, where I … Read more

Every meat-free fast food burger in New Zealand, reviewed and ranked

Kind-of vegetarian Alex Casey brings you the only meat-free fast food burger ranking you’ll ever need.  At the start of the year, several centuries ago, I went vegetarian. Kind of. As a coward with commitment issues, I decided to enter into a dietary Yes Man situation, where I would always say “yes” to eating vegetarian … Read more

How to assemble a Kiwi classic: 25 years of culture and kūmara fries

One of New Zealand’s most revered culinary exports, BurgerFuel is also one of our most enduring. With the renowned burger chain reaching its big two-five this month, we reached out to a few of the folks who’ve worked with them along the way. Every great story has to start in a particular place. For BurgerFuel, … Read more

Fast-food shaming is not about backing your local, it’s about being an asshole

If you’re the type to judge those who queued up for a post-lockdown Big Mac, perhaps it’s time to ask yourself some hard questions about why you really disapprove so much. Since we moved to alert level three, there has been a flurry of attention on fast food – namely that after five weeks of … Read more

Ch-ch-change range: Finding the best bang for your buck in New Zealand

A Madeleine Chapman guide to the best and worst of the change range. I once fell asleep at LAX while waiting for a flight and somebody stole my wallet. I made a sad face at check-in and was able to check my bag for free then had to survive a day in Boston and an … Read more

We ate everything at New Zealand’s first Taco Bell

Taco Bell is here. Alex Casey, Madeleine Chapman, and Alice Webb-Liddall give the first review. There’s nothing more American than drinking a frozen margarita out of a plastic cup with a comically large straw. And that means America has come to West Auckland. New Zealand’s first-ever Taco Bell opens tomorrow at New Lynn’s Brickworks in … Read more

A tribute to the pie shop that saved my terrible soul

Muzza’s Pies is a beloved Mt Albert institution, responsible for curing a million hangovers. Alex Casey pays tribute to the shop that got her through her teenage years. We were all perched on the bench outside Muzza’s Pies, a motley group of teenage girls nursing our cheap whiskey hangovers with an urgent IV of warm … Read more

Emily Writes: Say no to KFC’s PR bullshit and stand with the striking workers

While KFC staff are desperately trying to draw attention to their terrible working conditions, people are losing their shit over a chicken burger.  Over the weekend, as their staff begged them for better working conditions, KFC sent out an email to influencers and media inviting them to a party. KFC relaunched their Double Down burger … Read more

‘Nothing lives up to my ridiculous standards’: A burger nerd reviews Goldburger

Burger pop-up Goldburger’s foray into Auckland had Samuel Flynn Scott excited – and apprehensive. I have a very difficult relationship with burgers. They kinda make me insane. Nothing lives up to my ridiculous standards and stupid rules. Plus you kinda know they are killing you slowly with each juicy bite. But I soldier on. Chef … Read more

Summer reissue: The Spinoff reviews and rates New Zealand’s best petrol station pies

Finally, the definitive ranking of Aotearoa’s favourite snack – featuring notes of burnt marshmallow, wet undies and duplicitous giraffes.  This post was originally published on 14 September 2018 Pastry-bound parcels of deliciousness have been in the news a bit recently. Earlier in the week, the nation’s best pies were lauded at a (presumably) glittering awards ceremony, … Read more

The Spinoff reviews New Zealand #75: the Krispy Kreme concept store

We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today, José Barbosa bathes in the sugary warmth of US-style doughnuts. Bless America and the Americans. They’ve given us so much and we just want more and more. First came Dunkin Donuts; we mashed their rings of yeast into our … Read more

The milkshake master and the nostalgia of fast food

Food and drink are the source of many memories. Simon Day remembers a hangover and his childhood with milkshake guru Matt Fitzgerald.   Of all the scenes from 1982’s Spielberg science fiction classic E.T. to be preserved in Matt Fitzgerald’s mind, it’s the moment young Elliott is sent out to get pizza by his brothers that’s … Read more

The Spinoff reviews and rates New Zealand’s best petrol station pies

Finally, the definitive ranking of Aotearoa’s favourite snack – featuring notes of burnt marshmallow, wet undies and duplicitous giraffes.  This post was first published in August 2018 Pastry-bound parcels of deliciousness have been in the news a bit recently. Earlier in the week, the nation’s best pies were lauded at a (presumably) glittering awards ceremony, which … Read more

Raise your glasses to The Spinoff Food!

We’re jolly excited to announce the launch of The Spinoff’s newest section, dedicated to all things food and drink. Its editor, Alice Neville, explains what it’s all about.  Do you like eating? Do you like drinking? If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, chances are you’ll like The Spinoff’s new section. … Read more

The Spinoff reviews New Zealand #63: The meat-free Beyond Burger

We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today: Toby Manhire tries the freshly launched burger at vegan fast food outfit Lord of the Fries Meat. On the one hand it involves the institutionalised slaughter of animals, carries a range of grave health risks and presents a menace … Read more

Bird on a Wire takes free range chicken and healthy salads to the people

Business is Boring is a weekly podcast series presented by The Spinoff in association with Callaghan Innovation. Host Simon Pound speaks with innovators and commentators focused on the future of New Zealand, with the interview available as both audio and a transcribed excerpt. This week Simon talks to Sophie Gilmour about Bird on a Wire, a … Read more

Cheat Sheet: What’s the big deal with Krispy Kreme?

Welcome to the Cheat Sheet, a clickable, shareable, bite-sized FAQ on the news of the moment. Today, Jihee Junn finds out what all the fuss is about with global doughnut brand Krispy Kreme, which launched in New Zealand this week. Doughnuts! Delicious! What’s your favourite? Can’t go wrong with a good ol’ glazed. There are few … Read more

The Spinoff reviews New Zealand #49: the big chicken from Kai Eatery

We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today, staff from The Spinoff gorge themselves on giant pieces of fried chicken. Before you read this review, go somewhere you can listen to this at the same time. Trust us. Today The Spinoff lunched on more than $50 of … Read more

The Spinoff reviews New Zealand #45: Mi goreng potato chips

We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today, Madeleine Chapman’s life is changed by mi goreng potato chips. Before you start reading, please think back to your strongest and fondest mi goreng memory. If you don’t have one, get one. If you don’t want one, leave. In … Read more

They’re putting burger ads in your games, and you can’t opt out

Not content with plastering billboards and bus stations in the real world, fast food giant Wendy’s are inserting themselves inside virtual worlds too. It’s a trend that makes Don Rowe feel nauseous.  Anyone halfway familiar with the term microtransaction is well aware that many of the entities which slither about the swamp we call the … Read more