Sydney Eat Street: Howzat! Best eating options for watching the cricket
To celebrate the summer of cricket, Sydney Eat Street reveals some great delivery and takeaway options given we are still enduring pandemic restrictions.
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Australian fast bowlers are famous for their fast deliveries and taking away the batman’s ability to score runs – it will be no different in the third Test at the iconic SCG this week.
Here are some great takeaway and delivery options as we still deal with COVID-19 limited restrictions.
Take a tour of Sydney’s best eateries right here with The Sunday Telegraph’s Eat Street. Are you hungry for more inspiration? Follow us on Instagram. #SydneyEatStreet
CHARGRILL CHARLIE’S
1989 was a special year in Australia — Merv Hughes was the opening bowler for Australia, and Chargrill Charlie’s roasted its first chicken at their first shop in Coogee.
Charlie’s chooks are just as memorable as Big Merv’s moustache and perfect for lunch while catching the cricket.
There are many great options to feed up to 10 people. Open the batting with the Feeding Frenzy for $250, which includes three chickens, regular chips, 15 mini spring rolls, 15 empanadas, family tabouli, family Greek and three family apple pies.
If you want to wait for stumps, try the Post Match for $200, which includes a choice of 15 rolls cut in half (chicken, lamb or schnitzel), large wedges and a couple of bottles of Coke.
Chargrill Charlie’s is family owned and operated, and from that single takeaway in 1989, there are now 15 shops right across Sydney.
If you are only looking for a quick single, they have plenty of other options, including their signature Portuguese chicken and an array of freshly-made salads, burgers and desserts.
UME BURGER
The best bowling attacks are when two bowlers work in tandem; it’s no different with Ume Burger Japanese-influence hamburgers created by hatted-chef Kerby Craig.
The menu revolves around savoury umami flavours — both in burgers and sides.
A bit of a change from your typical burgers, a Shane Warne googly if you will, including wagyu mince sauce burgers, juicy prawn burger (the Ebi), and light fish katsu burger.
Kerby says: “The flavours of the Ume burger party packs will provide a sensational Japanese burger experience across land and sea. We have a great range of burgers – everything to satisfy the most discerning burger aficionado from juicy pork menchi (deep-fried panko breadcrumb-coated patty) and beef classics to our various seafood offerings.
“Our crunchy renkon crisps, (lotus roots), umami fries, and other sides complement this story. This all pairs perfectly with our flavoured house sodas and of course a crisp Japanese beer or cider.”
Order online for delivery or pick up just in time for the second session.
— Wulugul Walk, Barangaroo; Bar Ume, 478 Bourke St, Surry Hills; umeburger.com
BELLES HOT CHICKEN
It’s fair to say Americans don’t really understand the great game of cricket, plus they use gloves to catch the ball in that other game (that shall not be named), but they sure know how to make great chicken.
Belles Hot Chicken’s Morgan McGlone took to the dry rub seasonings found in Nashville rather than typical BBQ sauce-drenched meats sauces, returning to Australia to create a unique Americana menu inspired by his travels with partner Miranda Campbell.
While the main draw is the fried chicken, you’ll also find yummy mac-n-cheese, wings and burgers.
There are plenty of sauces you can still pour on top, but like Morgan, you may find that his fried chicken, which is first covered in batter then dropped in a bowl of seasoning, better holds in both the juices and the flavour.
There are six heat levels on offer, ranging from rookie to inferno (as hot as facing Jeff Thompson).
An appropriate option for the day is the Baller Bucket, which includes 16 wings, four sides and sauces ($65). Order online for pick-up or delivery (varies by location).
— Barangaroo, Darling Square, and Tramsheds (Forest Lodge); facebook.com/BellesHotChicken/
FRATELLI FRESH
Every batsman, including the best in the world, enjoy a slice of luck to keep their wickets intact. You too can enjoy a slice during play – of pizza.
A good option is Fratelli Fresh, a family-friendly Italian eatery with multiple locations across Sydney.
There are several meal deals to be had including the Pizza Buddy Deal for $49 (one garlic bread; or rocket and parmesan salad and two woodfire pizzas), the Family Pack for $99 (any four pasta dishes and/or pizzas, two garlic breads and one rocket and parmesan salad) or go big with the Pizza Party Pack for $149 (two garlic breads, two rocket and parmesan salads and choose any eight pizzas).
Great picks for pizzas include the classic tomato, basil and vanilla cheese Margherita Pizza or something more adventurous such as the Mortadella with Provolone, pistachios, lemon zest and rocket. (Menu and delivery options vary by location, including Darling Harbour, Entertainment Quarter, Westfield Sydney and more).
HO JIAK
Family is at the top of the batting order for Malaysian grill, Ho Jiak’s co-owner chef Junda Khoo.
The menu draws inspiration from his childhood in Penang, preparing each dish the way Amah, his grandmother taught him.
Like any family, wrangling the crew to the table can be a tough task, so rather than eating cold takeaway, plan out your lunches for the entire third Test and order some of Ho Jiak’s frozen family-sized dishes such as Amah’s braised pork belly in soy sauce, beef rendang, and Juda’s signature slow-cooked Malaysian curry chicken. (Delivery and pick-up options vary by location.
—Haymarket, Town Hall and Strathfield); hojiak.com.au
WHAT’S FRESH
MEETBALL & CO
“Great ball!” You’ll hear it on the cricket field, but it is easily the same for Meetball & Co’s’ balls.
They’re not the generic lumpy balls of beef; rather these are hearty and healthy meat and veggie versions.
The difference at Meetball & Co is chef Bektas Ozcan’s use of prime cuts of Grade 5/6 marbled Wagyu beef, King Island lamb (Tasmania), poultry, pork, lamb, fish and seasonal vegetables from NSW farms.
The mince is combined with wholesome almond meal and tapioca flour for simple, natural balls, that are dry-roasted rather than fried in oil. They are great on their own or atop a salad.
— 535 Crown St, Surry Hills; meetballandco.com
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Everyone is happy to see the sun peeking through the clouds, but winter’s not all bad. Bid farewell to the colder days with one last hurrah of warming fare.
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