Peter Devoy marks 20 years of Derby Street Snack Bar Rockhampton

Crispy, golden and famous in Central Queensland, this beloved batter has been tantalising tastebuds for 20 years. Now, we can reveal the recipe. VIDEO.

When Peter Devoy took over the Derby Street Snack Bar in 2003, he was handed down the golden batter recipe that has been synonymous with the takeaway store for decades.

Celebrating 20 years of business this month, Mr Devoy said the number one product he has made over the years is the potato scallop.

“We certainly go through a lot of potato scallops,” he said.

The secret is the golden batter that is used on all their battered products, from the potato scallops to fish, American hot dogs, seafood sticks, potato balls and battered rissoles.

The recipe was handed to Mr Devoy by the previous owners, who in turn also received it from their predecessors.

“It’s all handmade, something we pride ourselves on,” he said.

“I wouldn’t dare change it … my customers wouldn’t be happy.

“I’m a little bit like the Colonel (Sanders from KFC) and it’s my secret recipe.”

Derby Street Snack Bar owner Peter Devoy with his famous potato scallop in the homemade batter.

A lot like a Japanese tempura batter, Mr Devoy said it’s light and crispy.

“There’s nothing super fancy about it, it’s just about consistency and getting everything right, the temperature and product.”

The property at 76 Derby Street has been a business for more than 100 years, Mr Devoy believes.

Rocky locals will remember June and Bob Lambeth, who had it for many years and other versions of a snack bar and a corner shop.

“It’s lovely to have some of the old customers come through and say hello or tell us a story about how in the 70s they used to help Mrs Lambeth out,” Mr Devoy said.

Lambeth's store on Derby Street in the 1991 floods.

A father of six, Mr Devoy said his children have been involved in one way or another throughout the years.

He recalled having his youngest two, twins Laine and Peyton, in bouncers with bags of food behind the counter.

The twins graduated school last week.

Over his 20 years, Mr Devoy said there has been a lot of changes in the area and companies come and go.

“We’ve always been a store for the tradies and truck drivers, “ he said.

“A lot of recurring customers which is great but we see new customers every day

“It’s been good being involved in an old style, school corner store.”

“We’ve changed things up over the years and we’ve bent and flexed with trends and changing tastes, a lot of the stuff stays the same, but you have to move with the times.

“We have tried to modernise it a bit, we put a lot of emphasis on our customer service and offer that old-school service.”

When asked if he would be around for another 20 years of business, Mr Devoy joked and said he hopes to live for another 20 years, whether or not he is in business is another question.

“I’ve often been asked if I would sell it, I think I would only move on and try and find something just like it anyway,” he said.

“I enjoy it, I love the people, I love living where we are… I can’t see myself doing anything else in the near future.”

Originally published as Peter Devoy marks 20 years of Derby Street Snack Bar Rockhampton