What's on the menu at new CBD American style diner
A Cairns city cafe is serving up mouth-watering American-inspired fare from a new shop to create an emerging foodie hub. Why it’s proved a hit with office and construction workers.
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A CAIRNS city cafe is serving up mouth-watering American-inspired fare from a new shop to create an emerging foodie hub that’s proved a hit with office and construction workers.
The Diner by HMB is the passion of a former Cazalys cook Helen Bridge who after 24 years managing an army of kitchen workers has decided to branch out on her own.
Located between the recently expanded Bury Me Standing bagel outlet and the long established Chicken Shed the The Diner has carved out a niche popular with office and construction workers needing tasty eats close to where they work.
“We have been to America a few times and love American food but we do other stuff like eggs benny and bacon and eggs on toast,” she said.
“I think (the business) is just going to bring this little hub together. You have got vegan at Bury Me Standing, you have got Falafellicious. But me, I’m all about the bacon.”
Ms Bridge said the new business had been a long time in the making but she relished the opportunity to work with a small team.
“I just had to get away from masses of staff, I had 35 staff over there and now I have got three,” she said.
Signature dishes include the Philly cheese steak made up of tender beef, sauteed onion and peppers loaded with cheese on a toasted sub and the Diner Dog featuring a wiener, bacon, cheese, pickles, mustard, tomato sauce on a toasted bun.
A chargrilled sirloin steak, house hash and two eggs poached, fried or scrambled is served as the New Yorker.
Trading seven days a week Ms Bridge said the new venture had performed well during its first two weeks.
“I was busier than I thought it would be for that first week. And last week improved on that. I think we will do all right to be honest,” she said.
“We just have to get people moving across Spence St.”
Ms Bridge conceded foot traffic at the south end of Grafton St was reduced once crossing Spence St but strong sales had come from legal workers employed at the Cairns Court House and police station plus office workers at the nearby Cairns Corporate Tower.
Going forward to boost weekend sales The Diner will be doing ice cream sundaes, banana splits, milkshakes and in-house baked cakes.
Ms Bridge is joined by former Cazalys staff member Tahlia Wood now manager at The Diner.
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Originally published as What's on the menu at new CBD American style diner
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