Hendo's Cafe: Good to return to a favourite and see if things change - “Plain Jane no nonsense food - with a smile”

Hendo’s Cafe

77-81 Main Street, Bairnsdale.  Ph: 5152 6742  Hrs: Mon - Fri  5:30- 3:00  Breakfast until 10-30am

It is sometimes good to return to an old favourite venue and see if things have changed, at Hendo's the award winning concept still works.... “Plain Jane no nonsense food - with a smile”

Location:    At the eastern end of Bairnsdale on the main street, Hendo’s Cafe has on street parking although watch out for the high kerbing. It is all accessible from the footpath into the double fronted café which has full facilities including baby change. Simple seating at varying sized tables which is ideal to chop and change for groups. Décor is simple yet functional and relaxing giving a country kitchen style look and feel.  Ordering is at the service counter at the front and drinks/meals are served to the table.  Tables can be reserved as can the meeting room and  ‘al fresco’ seating is also available although can be a little noisy with the traffic.

Double fronted shop front with al fresco seating

Menu:  Geared for breakfast and lunch plus coffee and nibbles throughout opening hours, plus take-out food for those who eat at their desk or elsewhere and external group catering is available.  Check out the date scones!!

This is what I call “Plain Jane - no nonsense food”, good, wholesome, simple, comfort food, served with a smile and in very good time. Ideal for the working lunch, but also for those who fancy a “home cooked” traditional roast while in town as we did. Breakfast with all the usual ingredients is always available at the appropriate time. But for lunch perhaps the easy way to describe the menu is by listing a five day sample of the “specials” from the changing and varied menu so here goes, I am sure you will get my drift:-

Monday - Braised steak/onion casserole - Pasta Carbonara - Hendo beef burger - Beef Chimichanga with tomato salsa

Tuesday - Chicken korma curry - Beef rissoles in onion gravy - Scotch fillet steak sandwich

Wednesday - Crumbed calamari  - Beef Lasagne  - Hendo beef burger  - Braised steak and mushroom casserole

Thursday - Chicken and corn crepes  - Shepherd pie  - Satay chicken  - Roast pork ..

Friday - Beef Lasagne  - Chicken Tikka Marsala  - Seafood baskets - Roast pork and gravy rolls

See what I mean, comfort food especially as winter now seems to have arrived with a vengeance.

Simple clean interior with country kitchen feel

Experience:  Why do I keep going back?  A welcome with a smile, doesn’t matter how busy, always a welcome as you arrive and the same as you leave. That is good service which many could learn from. Such a small aspect to business but makes a world of difference.  Food as I have described, its simple, well served and plentiful. Great for a quick lunch or perhaps a chat with friends.

Roast pork with crackling and five veg - top value

Chicken Satay with Scalloped Potatoes and Rice
Never judge a book by the cover- tasted great

 Summary:  Good basic café style food at top value prices. If you want the “yuppy” stuff, this is not for you, but for good value tasty country style food, and customer focussed service then try Hendo’s. Popular at lunchtimes so either get in early, or vary your times to suit if you want a table of choice.  If you need a table booked book early.