WINTER lunch menus always add warmth to the soul, especially when the food is made home style with a good sprinkling of “tlc”.
“Lily”, as she’s fondly known, is the owner of Phat Burger Café, Farrer shops. She specialises in honest food, starting with all-day breakfasts at the right price.
There’s nothing fancy about the décor of this little café. It’s a local through and through – nothing more, nothing less. A few entertainment posters form the artwork and there’s a big plant as you walk in the front door. Other than that, the visual effects are the goodies in the display cabinet.
We’d never been before, but had read the trail on Facebook about Lily’s fresh pumpkin soup, made with veggies from a local gardener; meat pies and a range of home-made desserts, including sticky date pudding and cherry and white slice.
I decided on a burger, convinced that the name of the café was a fair indication they would be top notch. The line-up starts with the Veggie Delight (veggie patty, tomato, Spanish onion, aioli and lettuce for $7.80) and tops off at the Ultimate Phat Burger with a list of ingredients that seem as long as the King’s Highway ($12.80).
All burgers are made on site and served on a Turkish roll baked daily by a local baker. They are large and while my Phat Burger Temptation was loaded with tomato, beetroot, caramelised onion (not heaps), tomato relish and fresh lettuce, it had a thin meat patty and only a bit of tasty cheese ($9.80). I’m not sure I even tasted the meat; I was definitely expecting more, especially – as I say – from a place with “burger” in its name.
My friend selected the quiche. It was a deep and loaded with a medley of veggies, including carrots, mushrooms, pumpkin, cauliflower and more. Your daily intake of five veg in one day… this dish would make the good-food guide people proud. But seriously, it was delicious and great value with garden salad and chips for $14.50.
The Phat Burger Café has live music the first Friday of every month and offers a three-course, home-cooked meal for around $50 (prices vary depending on what’s cooking). It’s byo and you have to book in advance.
The Phat Burger Café, 9 Farrer Place, Farrer. Call 6290 1086. Cash only.
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