The Logan cafe you have to try

When you think of eateries in industrial estates, pies, pasties and sloppy stodge dished up from a Bain Marie probably come to mind. But down a long, concrete driveway off the Pacific Motorway, lies one of Queensland’s top brunch spots.

When you think of eateries in industrial estates, pies, pasties and sloppy stodge dished up from a Bain Marie probably come to mind.

But down a long, concrete driveway off the Pacific Motorway, a meatball fling from Swedish furniture labyrinth Ikea, obscured by a Vinnie’s outlet and truck driving school, lies one of Queensland’s top brunch spots.

Extraction Artisan Coffee off the Pacific Highway in Slacks Creek is one of Queensland’s top brunch spots. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Extraction at Slacks Creek is a not-so-hidden gem – pumping with locals and those in the know on a Sunday morning. Its fit-out is industrial shabby chic, with its furniture resembling the remnants of a council kerbside collection – albeit gathered by someone with a keen eye – in keeping with the Besser Block, concrete-floored, tin shed set-up. It’s colourful, relaxed and welcoming to all. And its approachable nature is only reinforced by the genuinely hospitable staff, from the caring young waiter delivering our menus to the charming owner behind the counter sharing holiday stories while taking coffee orders.

And on the subject of coffee, it’s what Extraction is all about.

The cafe works with farmers and importers to find some of the best beans available, before roasting them on site once a week to be used in everything from pour-overs to iced lattes and your standard black and white brews (from $3.50). There’s even a barista’s tasting plate available comprising an espresso, piccolo and cold drip.

On my visit, five coffees are available, with the house blend, served on the Scenic Rim’s 4Real milk, an intensely strong combination of Brazilian and Colombian beans with bitterness underwriting hazelnut, chocolate and caramel notes.

Although food may have been intended as the supporting act, it instead elbows its way into the spotlight – the all-day offering claiming that 98 per cent of what’s served is made in-house, from the speciality breads to the barbecue sauce.

Extraction’s smashed avocado. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

There are the classics such as googeys on toast ($10.50) and eggs Benedict ($22), the modern favourites such as smashed avo ($17, above), the breakfast burger ($15.50) and zucchini fritters ($16) – albeit with an interesting spin (the fritters come with apple and cabbage slaw and dill, sumac yoghurt) – and the unique, including red velvet pancakes with cream cheese frosting ($18), and the Serbian big breakfast ($20).

The latter is a quirky but tasty coming together of a corn bread muffin, wedge of warm brie, fried egg, bean puree, cucumber salad and cevapi (a skinless sausage similar to a kofta). The salad’s vinaigrette cuts through the fattiness of the mince and beans, while the egg’s runny yolk acts as a sauce for all, ready to be mopped up by the chilli-flecked corn bread.

Extraction Artisan’s Mexican omelette. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Possibly even better though is a Mexican omelette ($17), the burrito-shaped egg roll oozy with cheese (perhaps manchego?), dotted with black beans and spiced with a flavour-packed chorizo underneath avocado and the Mexican tomato salsa Pico de Gallo. Delicious.

Also terrific is a cream-crowned Milo milkshake from the drinks menu which spans house-made cold-pressed juice to smoothies, shakes and supervisory teas courtesy of The Steepery.

Later this year, Extraction plans to install a deck and outdoor seating at the back overlooking the bike path, providing just one more reason to return to this Logan star.

EXTRACTION ARTISAN COFFEE

7/3375 Pacific Hwy, Slacks Creek

3133 4667, extractionartisancoffee.com.au

Open Mon-Fri 6am-3pm, Sat-Sun 7am-2pm

Verdict

Food 8

Service 9

Ambience 7

Value 8

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