TL;DR: People say hidden gem a lot, and that could describe Shawty's. However, it is less just one little jewel and more a collection of shiny treasures with each one highlighting a great strength and quirk. They showcase an attention to detail in practically every aspect, working well in their favour. The friendly nature of customer service, the centrally-located yet secluded feel, nice coffee and food, and all other components ring this place as a winner.
Always remember this factor when attempting to find the best places for coffee, a bite to eat, or just anything. Go exploring and steer well away from the main drags as much as possible. An example we have is at Shawty's Espresso, which is tucked away into an industrial estate in Woolloongabba and along the train line. You have to be in the know, and go out of your way to find it; once you do, it is a reward unto itself. Plus, if you know the area very well you can slink in blindfolded.
When it comes to finding a place to get some coffee, my housemate and I are what you would call opportunists. This was such a case. My computer had been in repairs and was ready to pick up; this turned into a gambit to scratch several errands off the list - one of them is to get a cup of coffee beforehand.
Shawty's was chosen for a couple of reasons. This coffee shop was in proximity to where we needed to go, but more importantly, was the surrounding buzz. In striking while the iron was hot, Shawty's was at the top of Bean Hunter's rankings in Brisbane and it was not a hike away.
My mentality walking in was just getting a coffee and seeing it from there. What happened was staying a while, and enjoying watching the world go by. This was the wise choice in several ways.
The paint job done to the house is a wise choice through several avenues. Part of it is to stand out and bring vibrancy to the neighbourhood, but from stewing on it there are elements of shanty towns and the townships you see in South American travel videos. With it being right on the corner, that is perhaps the best decision they've made since it brings forth the first impression.
Upon waltzing right on the inside, what is apparent is the level of renovation done to the old-style house. The natural lighting fills up the cafe, giving it a fresh aesthetic. With a small amount of space, the designers have understood the magic of going vertical. Another ingenious detail is their seating, where they have used high-quality furniture; it is smaller, fitting in nicely, and via the ergonomics creates a social atmosphere. This even extends out onto the veranda.
As we all know by now, the best places to grab a coffee aren't just because the coffee is good but it has to do with the barista. You strike it lucky right here and get a decent extra fortune to pocket. The barista in charge is a man from Montenegro, and he is up for a chat with anybody. The customer right in front of me was having a good talk about life and all that and came across as gregarious, as well as pleasant.
For a one-man show with the whole operation, he was doing a good job. He was undertaking several errands and doing a balancing act with them. Anybody who has been in that situation knows how tricky that is. Clearing the tables, being personable and keeping tabs on how orders are proceeding. It was a rare feat where he cared for everything from the top down going well as it could.
They have kept the menu simple here. In that simplicity, they have allowed the alternative methods of coffee plus the tea is loose-leaf. Food is mostly cabinet offerings, where they have a range of sandwiches and sweet treats. The aforementioned components prove time and again to complement one another, so who here is complaining?
I didn't have anywhere to be, neither did my housemate, ergo we were on Fiji time. Seizing an opportunity to make a decent-sized review, I had a look at what goodies were in stock. From memory, I hadn't had a lot of breakfast hence I was on the peckish side. Looking at the menu, looking in the cabinet, my goal - as usual - was to shake up my dining habits. First getting to the coffee, since they were doing alternative modes of brewing I opted for that; got to change it up when you can, to keep things interesting. The next best thing to the doppio is filter coffee or batch brew as it was known as here.
You are in for a treat going here; their choice of brew comes from Coffee Supreme. That is a great one for those who like their coffee strong. There is just something about filter coffee that other methods can't replicate.
This is part of the reason I was noting the man keeping tabs on everything and ensuring a balancing act. The best part about filter coffee is when it has seeped through and everything, it is ready to pour on the go. The worst part is about it needs to be made fresh (hence those American machines have a timer for the early morning), so it was going to take a while to percolate. Well, as I stated I had nowhere to be. When it finally arrived at the table, it was delicious. The tones of the bean were slightly fruity, plus the coffee is strong - it takes it time though, so it seems mild at first. This leaves you feeling satisfied and satiated.
The morsel chosen to compliment the coffee was a toasted sandwich, but not any king - the famous New York favourite the Reuben was on the plate. Once you try one, you know why it has its reputation: the combination of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and mustard is simply delicious.
My housemate also got a sandwich, his order was toasted chicken. From what I recall, it had some cheese on it, and something else that was slightly peppery. Both of these sandwiches came toasted and cut in half. Perfect for sharing, but also something about the aesthetics works better that way.
Both of these sandwiches worked out well, opting for simple combinations that go together well. For the chicken sandwich, slowly roasted pieces of chicken were used which was a good idea. On top of it, the cheese melted well into the buttered bread. That wasn't why it such a winner, but more so something on it with a distinct taste - my housemate thinks it might have been ajar, but regardless it tasted good. The portion was decent as a snack, which much the same can be said about the Reuben.
They did not skimp on meat for this one, and you don't have to be a massive carnivore to agree with that sentiment. Sauerkraut is an acquired taste, and I happen to quite like it. When combined with a smallgood, it truly starts to ring wonders to the tastebuds. Like with any self-respecting toasty, it has a good amount of cheese on it; the said cheese is allowed to then melt until just crisp, and create a filling morsel.
A slight adjustment in life happened right then and there. My housemate was interested in what specific ingredient was used to supply the distinct smokey flavour. The man showed him the container and said he sourced it from the grocer Sam Coco's, which led my housemate and me there. That has slightly altered the ways I cook, and I will always give credit to a place in that circumstance.
Whether it be a coffee cart in the middle of a bridge, or right down a thin alleyway with minimal signage, or the fact the coffee shop is supplanted in the last place you would think of looking, a running theme presents itself. Never judge a book by its covers, and being a keen adventurer uncovers rewards.
That is the main take-away I have with Shawty's operations. Using their location, it straddles being hidden as well as within proximity to public services; if Park Road was my nearby station, I would regularly visit Shawty's. That wouldn't be by default either. With the small amount of space given, great attention to detail has gone into every square inch to ensure that you don't forget about it.
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