New food businesses rising in Mackay, Whitsundays

From food trucks to butcher shops, here are five new food businesses taking the culinary scene in Mackay and the Whitsundays to the next level.

Mackay and Whitsunday residents are increasingly spoiled for choice when it comes to food, with a range of new culinary ventures mushrooming across the region.

Here are five new businesses you need to know about.

Poco Cucina – Mackay

Kelly-Anne and Jayson Walters are setting up a “bricks and mortar” presence after years running a popular food trailer around town.

Poco Cucina's Jayson and Kelly-Anne Walters are moving into 'bricks and mortar' alongside their successful corporate catering enterprise. Picture: Contributed

Mrs Walters said the new shop on 26 Endeavour St would open up its popular takeaway to a “wide audience”.

“It is nice to get back into bricks and mortar,” she said.

Poco Cucina will continue its “street food” offerings, including burgers, tacos, chicken wings and loaded fries.

Poco Cucina specialises in 'street food', including burgers, tacos, chicken wings and loaded fries. Picture: Contributed.

“We are really renowned for our constant street food,” she said.

The shop, which opens on August 22, will be open from Monday to Friday, 7am to 2.30pm.

Meat Co. – Northern Beaches

The popular Meat Co. business at Greenfields has now expanded to a branch in the Northern Beaches.

Meat Co. owner Morne Nell said the move was designed to capitalise on Mackay “growth” area.

Meat Co. has opened a second branch at the Northern Beaches. Picture: Contributed

“It is a new concept store for us,” Mr Nell said.

“We offer an extensive range of marinated and value-added products.”

Skewers, kebabs, sausages, dry jerky and biltong are just some of the shop’s offerings.

The new Meat Co. branch at the Northern Beaches offers an extensive range of marinated and value-added products. Picture: Contributed.

Mr Nell said the past eight weeks had been “really good” for his business with a surge of new customers.

Meat Co. has 16 workers across its two sites and Tiffany Camillieri manages the new Northern Beaches store.

Burger Urge – Andergrove

The new Burger Urge in Andergrove opened up in July and marketing manager Tristan Goodfellow said the business had performed “better than we anticipated” in the past month.

“We are pretty stoked with the location and fit out,” he said.

“It is a really good result.”

Burger Urge fan Irene Brown gets lunch at the new Burger Urge in Andergrove on July 11, 2022. Picture: Duncan Evans

The store has already served more than 8000 customers and sold 8500 burgers.

The counter-serve and sit-down restaurant features pop-art murals and packaging from artist Andy Pineapples.

Burger Urge has 26 stores across the country and Mr Goodfellow said the Mackay CBD joint, on the corner of Sydney and Gordon Streets, was one of its best performers.

The new Burger Urge in Andergrove features murals by artist Andy Pineapples. Picture: Duncan Evans

“Mackay is such a large town in itself and of course we were hoping to expand,” he said.

On opening day, customers lined up in the first few minutes of operations.

Irene Brown ordered the Boston and Southern fried chicken sliders to go.

“I’m glad there is finally a Burger Urge over this side of town,” she said.

Flagstaff Hill Cafe – Bowen

The new Flagstaff Hill Cafe offers patrons a panorama view of the Whitsundays and Councillor Michelle Wright has already enjoyed its coffee-with-a-view pleasures.

“There are not too many places where you can sit and have a coffee and you can spot a whale frolicking in the bay in front of you,” she said.

“It is beautiful coffee, great meals, a variety on the menu, with breathtaking views.

“It is one of the unique spots along the coast.

The Flagstaff Hill Cafe in Bowen offers patrons a panorama view of the region. Picture: Contributed

“There are not too many venues like this one around and it is very unique to Bowen.

“It is just another visitor attraction to our town.”

The cafe opened on July 31 and serves breakfast from 8am to 10.30am and lunch from 11.30am to 2pm.

Breakfast items include smashed avocado and buttermilk pancakes.

The lunch menu offers classics like steam and chicken schnitzel but also Vietnamese offerings such as Beef Pho and pork meatballs in tomato sauce with steamed rice.

On weekends the cafe opens for dinner.

“It is definitely a boost for Bowen,” Cr Wright said.

EIGHT Dining – Mackay

The new EIGHT Dining restaurant on River St near Caneland is open and ready to serve up traditional Chinese cuisine.

The new EIGHT Dining restaurant on River St is open now. Picture: Duncan Evans

The restaurant, run by chef and owner Ken Luo, specialises in Shanghai, Beijing, Canton and Sichuan cuisine.

The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating and can hold 200 patrons at full capacity.

It’s open Wednesday through to Monday, from 11.30am to 2pm and from 5pm to 9.30pm.