For the longest time, I have bypassed this place so many times and somehow never really thought of going to it. This is weird, as for most of the places around it I have tried out but somehow this place is one I have not visited until now. Why I did not come here sooner, I don't know because it proves that you can't always judge a book by its covers. This might truly be one of the better choices on the block.
After doing some business in the city, I decided to go and get something to eat. I was walking all around the city, wanting to find something that appealed. What really sealed the deal was that when I was giving a closer look to the menu, I was beckoned in by a couple of the waitstaff. This, from what I have heard, is a family run establishment ergo, they can use this kind of nature to an advantage.
And the waitstaff are really friendly folk. This might have been the result of it being a slow business at the time, but the service was much more personable and laid-back than service usually is in the city, even among the cheap eats. How the ordering process went was that they gave me one dog-eared menu, and I went through it before deciding. Upon thinking this looks like a place to eat, I just pointed out what one looked good and went to get seated.
So, it is a little haphazard with the service, and throughout all of that it is wholly pleasant. Behind the counter, they are always hard at work and are pleased to see anyone come in. In fact, I definitely laud them for the work ethic that they have - being a combination of pleasant, always on the ball. Some would call it chaotic, though it is the chaotic where things are actually organised and they do everything on the fly - not as professional, but it feels more real than being clock-work. Beneath the exterior, it has a real warm heart.
The whole set up is sort of like a hawker stall. Instead of the kitchen being out the back as usual, it is an open kitchen where the seating is centered right around it. This can have benefits, as you feel the energy and can see a show with the food preparations (no short-cuts here). It definitely is not much on aesthetics, and in being honest could be cleaned up a bit or have a revamp to look nicer (at least the tables are always nice and clean). What also helps is that there is much more room inside than it appears from the pavement. What is seen on the pavement is the counter, and maybe a few tables to sit at; these tables are just aisle seats. Out back, there is a whole lot of seating and even a bench for solo diners. Magazines are there to read, and there is self-serve water.
Where they get much more credit than other places is with their menu. The cuisine is a mixture of Malaysian and Indonesian dishes. Even if the term has been used several times in this review, it bodes well to say it again - this is a real hawker-store style eatery. All kinds of soups and noodle dishes, rice-based meals and simple bits of meat and sauce dominate the menu. It keeps it simple and manageable.
A couple of choices are set meals, which are value for money. One of them is what I got to eat. It was a piece of marinated chicken, in a choice of two sauces and either breast or thigh, was grilled and served with steamed rice, some salad items and a small bowl of asam soup. The only one available was "Jakarta" with from what I remember was a salty and spicy sauce, and they also only had breast meat - the way they approached it, a bit apologetic, was what saved the service. Also on the side was a thimble of sambal olek.
This was really good. The chicken was tender and juicy. It was less of a breast piece, and more of a Maryland kind of cut, breast and a bit of wing - can't go wrong there. Even before adding some of the sambal olek, it was a tangy little number. The steamed rice was fluffy like a cloud, and mounded into a dome. On the side, the cucumber was contained a good, fresh crunch. All of the food was given in the right portions, and that made for a filling meal.
On the side, I got a spot of Jasmine tea to drink. This is the real deal, an infused blend as opposed to a teabag. The pot could have serviced two customers easily. It was the kind where the flavour kept on getting stronger has you poured more and more. It was hot, soothing and calming to the spiciness of the meal. No sugar, no milk, no honey - just unadulterated tea goodness.
Again, I cannot believe that is has taken me this long to go here. Even more so, how long this place has been around (a veteran for Brisbane terms). The food is some of the most real, authentic, tasty and economic fare that can be bought around here. However, the whole place is not without fault. If it were to have a bit of a revamp to its interior, and be a bit more brightened up this could do a lot of wonders, or at least clean it a bit. If this is your sort of food, then it is more recommended than otherwise - for a real, rough around the edges, tasty and authentic choice - some on down to the Satay Club.
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