Kitchen Confidential: Mac From Way Back to reopen with new owner

A Brisbane eatery serving over-the-top burger creations closed its doors, but will receive another lease on life under new ownership.

When cult Brisbane burger business Mac From Way Back shockingly announced in March it had served its last outrageously over-the-top burger and would close for good, fans were devastated.

But now in good news, the dearly loved eatery – which specialises in mac ’n’ cheese and extravagant bun creations – has been bought and is set to make a return to the city’s dining scene.

Matt Rollo, owner of fellow Brisbane burger business ­Hashtag Burgers & Waffles in West End and Fortitude Valley, has taken over the operation, with founder Dane Cote heading overseas.

“When I heard he was closing down I approached him and said … ‘I love your food, I love what you do and I’d love to be a part of it, so could I buy everything off you?’ ” Rollo said.

While the purchase doesn’t include the Woolloongabba store, which has now permanently shut, it includes all the ­social media and recipes, meaning Rollo can get to cooking up the famous Mac creations.

Owner of Hashtag Burgers + Waffles Matt Rollo has just bought the Brisbane cult food business Mac From Way Back. Picture: Brad Fleet

“He wanted to sell it to someone who was also in the burger game and had that passion for it and not just someone off the street who was not going to do his brand justice and I think that’s why we suited so much,” Rollo said.

Rollo is currently keeping an eye out for a new inner-Brisbane site for Mac From Way Back, but says he won’t be opening anything until next year.

But that doesn’t means fans of the gluttonous brand will have to wait more than six months for a taste of their beloved burgs.

“We’re going to be doing … like a Mac From Way Back presented by Hashtag and we’ll be doing a few of his burgers as specials to show that the brand is not dead and that we’re going to be restarting it,” Rollo said.

That means the famous macaroni cheese-filled buns with triple-smashed beef patties, as well as Mac’s much hyped specials such as mie goreng or hash brown burgers will all be making appearances at the Hashtag stores in West End and Fortitude Valley in the coming months, with dates to be released via their social media.

“I’m so excited and I just can’t wait to jump on this,” Rollo said.

A creation from cult Brisbane burger brand Mac From Way Back