Reason behind insane queue opposite beach in Noosa

Fans lined up for over half an hour in this chic coastal town, all desperate to get their hands on a hot new item being touted as a “world first”.

The wild reason Aussies in one beach town queued for up to 30 minutes has been revealed.

Chip ‘n’ Mix — a self-serve loaded fries bar — opened its doors in Noosa, Queensland, on Saturday with the first 100 customers scoring their meal for free.

The idea behind the business is very similar to Yo-Chi, where there are three different styles of hot chips to choose from. People can then load up as many toppings as they want.

There are options such as pulled beef, salsa, guacamole and baked beans, and customers pay by weight.

Chip fans lined up on Hastings St for up to 30 minutes for their food, according to the Courier Mail.

Rhi Pearce, Ysabella Buckley-Tyree, Josh Leach and Lisa Tyree are the co-founders of the business, which they’ve said is a “world first”.

“We’ve done so much research looking for this concept. Obviously, it was a great indicator when we had to completely design a machine with an engineer to enable it,” they told news.com.au.

“Not only in the trademarking process for this business, but for our own curiosity because when I voiced the idea it came from my own desire to be able to have it. We sort of looked at each other, thoughts it was the best idea and that it had surely been done.”

The reason behind a huge line in Noosa has been revealed. Picture: TikTok/@rhyswillll

People queued for up to 30 minutes. Picture: Instagram/@chipnmixit

But hours of research, citations and trademarking had proved it hadn’t been done before.

In terms of the Yo-Chi comparison, Ms Pearce said there were similarities with the concept but also key differences — such as the fact it was chef prepared, savoury food.

Ms Pearce told news.com.au the reaction was “beyond their wildest expectations”, saying they knew it was a good idea but to see “queues and queues” of smiling faces walking out the door with their hot chips “was just the most wonderful, rewarding experience ever”.

The store even sold out on day one.

The fresh counter. Picture: Supplied

Ms Pearce also answered one of they key questions in the comment section — how the meat options stay warm.

“Essentially, they’re called hot and cold plates. They place it under a ceramic top, ceramic is a great conductor of heat, and so they go between minus 80 C and up to 250 degrees,” she revealed.

The business owner said three of the stations were set up on hot, and two set up on cold so customers have the “best of both worlds”.

Rhys Williams, a travel content creator, was one of the first 100 people in line when the hospitality venue opened on Saturday. Mr Williams said there were three styles of chips to choose from — including a UK-style fish and chip shop one that he said “tasted like home”.

He added that all the toppings “looked so good and fresh” and even compared the business to Yo-Chi.

The shop opened in Noosa on Saturday. Picture: Instagram/@chipnmixit

The travel content creator said he and his pals “very much enjoyed it”, with everyone rating it an eight or nine out of 10.

Social media users had a mixed response to the idea.

“My god. The line,” one person commented.

Another said: “Yo-Chi for chips.”

“This is truly genius,” another social media user said.

“This would go crazy on the Gold Coast,” one added.

Two of the founders, Bella Tyree and Rhiannon Pearce. Picture: Supplied

Another commented: “As someone who eats hot chips religiously every week, I need this near my place.”

One added: “Not worth the hype. For real.”

“That looks completely overrated,” another weighed in.

One said: “Lining up like this for hot chips is crazy.”

“In conclusion, it’ll probably be like $18 average per bowl, which is like a small-medium chips and some dry protein option with sauce and unmelted cheese,” another said.

Ms Pearce said plans for the future include opening at least two more locations in Australia in the next 18 months – but she kept quiet on where they’re eyeing off.

Originally published as Reason behind insane queue opposite beach in Noosa