THE “ACT Chook Shack” has taken up residence in the spot on Braddon’s Mort Street where Crust Pizza long resided.

The decor is semi rustic in parts, as if to evoke a chicken shed, with recycled timber bits around.

This lunchtime they were doing a roaring trade in tradesmen resplendent in high visibility vests.

The main trade seemed to be in half and quarter chicken and chips but I went for the $8.50 peri peri chicken burger.

The wait for the burger revealed my first gripe, despite large chunks of the menu proclaiming “flame grilled” the cooking was being done on a hot plate. Perhaps gas flames were heating the grill but for my money that does not a flame grill make.

When my burger made its way through the system (after what felt like quite some wait) the second problem arose.

As we have previously discussed bread maketh the burger.

While the Chook Shack’s burger bun had potential the bottom half of the bun was not only soggy, but also ice cold.

Which is a shame because otherwise the burger had a lot going for it. The cheese, bacon and pineapple balanced the chicken and hot peri peri sauce pretty well.

It gave a noticeable kick without causing offence.

So very close to being a great burger, but with unforgivable bread on this occasion.

[This article is the twelfth in a series on cheap lunches to be found in and around the city. If you have any suggestions leave them in the comments or email them to john@citynews.com.au . The complete series can be found on our cheap lunches tag]