Cafe where the chef delivers your meal and explains how he cooked it

A small cafe delivers big time in its customer care and attention to detail.

It’s not often you can ask a question about a dish at a cafe and have the chef explain it and the entire cooking process in person over the pass.

But that’s the personable experience at cosy Drewvale cafe Jo & Co. in Brisbane’s south.

This family-owned eatery is clearly run by people who care, as when I ask our endearing, young waitress how big the serve of poached pear porridge ($14) is, she steps into the kitchen to grab the bowl it’s served in, only to have the passionate chef join in on the conversation, describing how he cooks the oats slowly in coconut milk to render them extra creamy, serving them over the top of a perfectly poached pear before drizzling the lot in the poaching liquor and crowning with maple candied walnuts and a spirited dusting of cinnamon.

It’s just the type of comfort food needed on a chilly wet morning, when your soul needs a little warming.

Bircher muesli at Jo & Co. Cafe at Drewvale. Picture: David Kelly

While the new spring/summer menu, released just after my visit, sees it replaced with an apple and cranberry Bircher muesli, its low and slow cooking approach speaks to the meticulous attention afforded to each dish.

Also no longer on the menu, replaced by a pulled pork and bean version, is the breakfast taco ($17).

On my visit, the brekky incarnation features three soft flour tortillas loaded with scrambled eggs, chunks of pan-fried chorizo, tomato, red onion, avocado wedges and a smoky chipotle mayo which turns something quite simple into a finger-licking affair.

Pulled pork, black bean, avo, corn, sour cream and salsa verde tacos. Picture: David Kelly

Jo & Co. Cafe at Drewvale. Picture: David Kelly

The new menu also boasts the likes of a big farmhouse breakfast, three-egg omelette, corn fritters and waffles served either sweet with caramel custard, grilled banana, vanilla ice cream and granola or semi-savoury with whipped butter, bacon and maple syrup.

There are toasties, wraps, salads and burgers too, as well as an entire cabinet of sweet treats made in-house, with that same affable waitress waxing lyrical about the chocolate brownie and fruit and nut loaf.

She also gives one of the customers at the counter, where diners order, a helpful lesson in using his home coffee machine, answering all his detailed questions with zeal.

It’s this type of engaging service that successful small businesses are built on, compelling diners to return to support people that genuinely believe in what they’re doing.

And speaking of coffee, the Allpress beans – also available for purchase – are delivered as a smooth and creamy brew with a pleasant hint of bitterness.

There are also milkshakes, frappes, spritzes and smoothies, with a tropical pop version of the latter thick with real mango and tart from passionfruit.

Jo & Co. may be small in size, with just three tables inside and a handful on the footpath outside, but it’s big in heart.

For more reviews visit delicious.com.au/eatout

5/27 Illaweena St, Drewvale

0432 658 822

joandcocafe.com.au

Open

Mon-Sat 7am-2pm,
Sun 8am-2pm

VERDICT

Food 3.5 stars

Service 4.5 stars

Ambience 3 stars

Value 4 stars

Overall 3.5/5 stars