Top Take-Aways...and Eat Ins

Take Away or Eat In – the choice is yours.

There is something about a take away meal, and I have many happy memories of consuming plenty of them in some very interesting places, (that's another story!). One of my favourite's is sitting up on Jemmey's Point Look Out overlooking Lakes Entrance itself on a summers evening with a good old fish and chips. I am sure you have your own favourite, but try some of these, I am sure you will enjoy. I have purposely left pizzas out as these will feature in there own category later.

Again then and in no particular order as usual:-

Mingling Waters  - Nowa Nowa:   Something different, the menu makes the best of the humble ‘Burger’ and there is little else to choose from. Having said that, the choice of burgers and the descriptive names is simply amazing. It is an entertainment in itself reading the menu. When you have made your choice and it served, it is a very filling well cooked meal, you definitely don’t go out hungry.  I noted “You owe it to yourself and your gastronomic experience to visit Mingling Waters for a burger.  BUT make sure you are hungry, you sure won’t be when you leave.  “No tea for us tonight” were the words from my wife as we climbed back into the car to drive home for a “nap”.’ and continuing, ‘so I went for “The 42” Wow, just Wow, a 100% beef home-made pattie well -cooked but still moist, with a huge full rasher of tasty bacon. Fresh crunchy lettuce, tomato, cheese which had just melted, beetroot (you HAVE to have beetroot), with a full round of pineapple filled in the middle with lightly fried onions. This was served with fantastic chips and a combination of tomato and BBQ sauce in the fresh burger bun with more on the side.  It was just awesome, huge but awesome.’  Not bad for a caravan park, great roadside stop for travellers and top value.

Port Albert Wharf Fish ‘n Chips:  - Port Albert:  Oh you lucky people in and around Port Albert for here is one of the best fish and chip shops I have ever tasted. I have to admit the surroundings make a bit of a difference but really you have to try a serve here. I recall,  All the favourites are there,  for me though you just cannot go past a good piece of gummy and chips. While we are on the menu, it is important, as any good fish n chipper will tell you, that the right oil is used and it is fresh. At Port Albert Fish N Chips they get it right on both counts. There is a certain aroma in a good fish n chip shop and here at Port Albert I was reminded of an English “Chippy” where in those days the taste was enhanced by the newsprint in which your food was wrapped.”  A tiny shop right on the end of the pier, usually very busy but a good serve of this staple diet for most Aussies and millions of Poms like me ! How I remember the treat of Fish “n Chips from the “Laskeydene” in North Cheam, or spending seven pence (old pence at that) coming home from Saturday morning pictures on a tanner’s worth (sixpence) of chips and a penny worth of crackling (the bits off the batter) adding salt and brown vinegar. Heaven!

Slipway  - Lakes Entrance:  This is my regular stop for fish ‘n chips, they do also make great egg ‘n  bacon sandwiches and a number of other take away style items. You can eat in or take away here. Fish is always fresh and well filleted, nothing better than a well-cooked crispy batter surrounding a thick juicy piece of gummy. Add a home-made tartare sauce and a slice ( or two) of lemon….mmmm !  Although I have not officially published a review yet, I have scored this take-away, and just have to finish the full write-up!  Here you will find friendly staff, easy access and a varied range of good simple food. The owners have been around Lakes for a while and I have followed them to every location as a customer, why, because the food is good, simple.

Hendo’s Café  -  Bairnsdale:    Now here we have a take away and a sit down café, it is always busy at peak times and from both aspects. Here you will find top service (many should take a lesson from Hendo’s on that aspect), and simple home-style cooking. Always a roast of the day, plus a couple of other hot meals which can be served in take away containers.  I wrote, “ A genuine welcome, good basic café style food at top value prices.  If this suits, then this is for you, good value for money location, staff always customer focussed, as you leave always a thank you. Hendo’s is primarily a café geared to serve breakfast and lunch plus coffee and nibbles throughout opening hours, plus catering for take-out food for those who eat at their desk or elsewhere.  Sometimes in our busy lives it is good to go back to the simple things of life, a hearty welcome, a relaxed, clean simple atmosphere, good  value simple tasty food served by friendly staff with a smile. The occasional chat with the patron or staff and a thank you when you leave.  It just hits the mark. No wonder Hendo’s has won so many awards.” Just one suggestion, pick your time or book a table to ensure a seat.

Creekers Café  -  Swifts Creek:  When you next take a drive up the Great Alpine Road, and you should, stop off in Swifts Creek at this little café on the right just opposite the Primary School. You will find that much of this little country cafe is constructed from locally milled timber, giving it a touch of character and local flavour. It is another of my regular stops whether for a quick coffee and cake, or for something more substantial.  Good old fashioned country style service here and a big menu considering the location, obviously a popular spot for the locals, always a good sign. A great spot to rest up for a while and enjoy freshly cooked food and a good coffee. Eat in or Take away, on a good day sit outside while enjoying your menu choice, breath in that crisp clean air.