While ‘Location, location, location’ is the big catch cry to success, there are some local favourites that have achieved modest success by going against the norm, choosing venues in hidden pockets of suburbia. There, they provide service to locals who previously had no food outlets nearby.
That’s how it is with Black Lime Café.
Tucked away in a little group of shops in Pappas Way, the former Chinese restaurant has been converted by former retiree Michael Hayes, with Sharon in the kitchen backing him up with food service.
The first year was difficult, but before long residents were won over by the keen price point, making this café their local. Being on a through road with a large front carpark is also an advantage, with people dropping in en route to grab a quick meal.
There’s nothing fancy here, just good honest service and food at the right price. Clean and neat, the dark walls freshened with accents of lime (hence the name), we soon realise that this is a place where blokes feel welcome. Michael has the knack of engaging in small talk with tradies calling in for their $10 brekkie roll and coffee combo. Or you can be left alone with your meal. Either way, they’re a top act in his repertoire.
Food prices peak at $12 with Michael’s Big Brekkie, serving doubles of eggs and bacon with a hash brown, a large pork sausage and toast. We try a Brekkie Burrito packed full of fried egg and bacon, hash brown and chilli jam ($12), washing it down with a Silipo coffee, a choice to support local small business, Michael says, in the same way that locals support him.
Lunch fare moves into Toasted Turks for $9 and BLT with chicken schnitzel on Turkish ($12), blackboard specials such as Haloumi salad, seafood basket or a burger, as well as baked goodies in the cabinet.
But if I’ve given you the impression that Black Lime serves only ‘blokey’ food, then I’ve done the café a disservice. Açai bowls and chai or turmeric lattes are also popular. There are vegetarian options such as Smashed avo, Corn and zucchini fritters or the Vego eggs bene with mushrooms on sourdough for $12. Their famous fresh juices such as Ginger Ninja or the Green Machine rock out the door at $7.
Black Lime Café offers good honest fare with something for everyone. We’ve dined well with brekkie and coffee for two at under $25. You can’t beat that for value!
Shop 8/145 Pappas Way, Carrara, Ph: 07 5596 0823 Open: Mon – Sat 6am – 2pm, Sun 7am – 1pm
NOTE: Some photos courtesy of Black Lime Cafe.