The Latest

It took Fancy Hank’s a long time to actually become fancy. When it started in 2012, it was just a barbeque and a couple of benches at Princes Park in Carlton. After a long-term pop-up at the Mercat Cross Hotel, it moved into this beautiful two-storey Art Deco building in late 2016.

The first floor features leather banquettes, simple Shaker-style furniture and a dash of marble. Upstairs there’s rooftop bar Good Heavens.

Owners Daragh Kan, Myles Munro (both of Welcome to Thornbury, Homeslice and Mr Burger), Mike Patrick and Kent Bell hoisted a two-and-a-half-tonne offset smoker named Puffing Billie into the centre of the dining room. Brisket, chicken, sausages, beef ribs and pork are extracted from its belly after cooking for 16 hours.

While Hank’s originally sold its meat by weight, these days it’s sold in platters designed to share. You’ll also find sandwiches served with fries and slaw, smoked-and-glazed baby back ribs, and a lengthy list of add-ons (devilled eggs, fried chicken and more) to customise your platter.

There’s table service and around 30 wines to choose from, including many natural and two on tap, made in collaboration with Quealy Winemakers in Mornington. There are also 12 tap beers and a serious cocktail list.