Tradies reveal their favourite smoko spots across Melbourne
THE DAYS of settling for a dodgy servo pie are almost gone for tradies who demand a bit of quality and variety during their treasured smoko breaks. Here’s ten top spots for a quality feed.
Inner South
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IF there’s one thing tradies value more than their tools it’s their “smoko”.
LBC Landscapes boss Jake Martin makes finding the best local spot for a “good feed” one of his priorities when he starts a new job.
“Landscaping is pretty hard work which can make you pretty hungry,” Martin said.
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“When starting a new job you have certain things you have to tick off such as identifying a good local building supplier but finding a great spot for smoko and lunch is equally as important.
“If me and my staff are well fed, happy and energised then our work for the client is always going to be the best it can.”
Martin said the days of going to the local servo for a dodgy dry pie were over.
The landscaper has been working all over Melbourne for more than a decade, so he is well versed on where the best secret smoko spots are.
Here’s his top ten “go-to” smoko places.
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THE ROAST KITCHEN
259 High St, Kew
Martin licks his lips with anticipation every time he gets a job in the eastern suburbs, as this lunch spot is his favourite in the area. Traditional roasts just like your gran made are the go here. You can pick up a feed of meat, vegies and gravy for a reasonable price. He said the roast pork is “absolutely unbeatable”.
DONBURN DELI & MILK BAR
262 Blackburn Rd, Doncaster East
For almost four decades this little milk bar has defied the odds to survive when everything else around it has shut down. Maybe it could be the cost-friendly fresh sandwich bar which boasts a top chicken schnitzel roll. Martin said his top pick was the ham and salad roll with mayo.
ANNE’S PANTRY
425 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn
The pantry offers everything from pies, to sandwiches, to Vietnamese baguettes and rice paper rolls. Martin said he goes there “three times a day” when has a job in the area. “They make a lot of money off me,” he said. “I just can’t go past their rice paper rolls.”
HAYTCH
90 High St, Thornbury
Northsiders are probably well aware of this little gem where all pastries are baked on the premises. Co-owner Harry is a pastry chef by trade and plenty of tradies flock to the shop for his homemade vanilla slices and jam doughnuts. Martin said he liked it for something a little different like granola muesli.
DOWN THE STREET
51 Foot St, Frankston
It’s been open less than a month, but Martin has rated this cafe one of his favourites on the peninsula. The landscaper said he was lucky to stumble on the cafe when he and his crew needed a quick bite. “I do a lot of work in the area so when we spotted this joint we thought we’d give it a crack,” he said. “We’re glad we did because (owner) Merrin (McKenzie) does the best egg and bacon rolls and coffee in the area.”
TRISHES LUNCH STOP
615 Hampton St, Brighton
Tradies love a good old fashioned lunch diner, and Martin gives this one the thumbs-up. What makes it so popular is the range of options including freshly made pies, sausage rolls, snags, sandwiches, burgers, steak sangas and all at a reasonable price.
WENDY’S BAKERY
473 Whitehorse Rd, Mitcham
This Vietnamese bakery is one the best places in the eastern suburbs for a fresh and quick lunch. All the baguette fillings such as BBQ pork and BBQ chicken, complete with all the salad toppings including fresh chilli and coriander make this a tradie favourite. Service is quick so you’ll be back on site in no time.
CAFE PICCANTE
216 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North
Not many places offer a full menu from 5am, seven days a week. Early risers can fuel up with anything from a beef burger to the big breakfast packed with eggs, sausages and bacon. For anyone who needs a quick bite Piccante is stocked with focaccias and muffins ready to go. “An early morning BLT and coffee is the go here,” Martin said.
CHARLES. ST FISH & CHIPS
67 Charles St, Seddon
A stalwart of the west, this fish and chip shop has been popular with locals for more than two decades. Fresh fish, crispy batter, golden chips and hearty burgers make this a tradie’s dream spot. “I always smash a couple of South Melbourne market dimmies when I go there,” Martin said.
TGI FRIDAYS
Doncaster Shoppingtown, Doncaster
This is Martin’s final stop at the end of a hard week, where he can have a few beers, discuss the highs and lows of the last job and prepare for the next one. “I shout the boys a couple of beers while we smash down a bit of calamari and buffalo wings,” Martin said. “Perfect place to end the week.”
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