TL;DR: Family is in the soul with this cafe. There is something in family-run cafes that you can feel it in the air, and that is all present right here. The food turns out to be wholesome, very filling, and they got an effective system running. I could imagine this being a popular haunt with folks living and/or working within the neighbouring blocks. It took a while to get here, but it was worth it in the end.

Opportunity was coming knocking this time, and my housemate heard that rapping on the door. He is a big fan of Vietnamese cooking, especially the banh mi sandwiches. It had been a while ago that he had sought out the best places in town for getting a Bahn mi sandwich, but a few had remained. On top of that, a remnant from me having full-time work a while back was that it closed off certain places on the hit list, which included at least one or two that did Banh mi. This selection included the Four Sisters, which he had eyed off for the longest time. Opportunity came around, from an appointment being in the nearby area.

At the Wesley Hospital, I had an appointment booked in which found itself mid-week around the middle of the day. It was all falling into line so readily, that he seized the chance right then and there. Doctor's appointments can take a long time - as we all know - but this was a quick one where I was done around the scheduled time. Straight afterwards, both of us were hungry and hankering something there the next adventure awaited.

An underlying reason for coming here as well has to do with the name. For the longest time, I have been a patron to the familiar "Five Sisters" in West End, and the Four Sisters is not dissimilar in many respects. Respectively, Four and Five are Vietnamese and Greek. Both these folks have been a welcome addition into Australian society. They have additionally melded their food into the mindset and gastronomy of the land. What also helps with the two cafes is their family-centred focus, and with that comes a gregarious environment that will welcome regulars back frequently.

The classical Australian takeaway is often in either an industrial or commercial estate. They also have a familiar outlay that you know once you see it for yourself. This place is no exception. It all comes with a slight disadvantage for aesthetics, design and those aspects; much of that comes down to being resourceful where it is needed. They have some seating around the place, including some al fresco tables to the side alongside their mini-garden. Each table is given a small touch - usually a salt and pepper shaker. The shopfront has a homely attraction to it, just much as the kitchen is chaotic.

When it comes to customer service, how it comes across has been implied that it varies on their approach. To put it other ways, you wouldn't judge a fast food place like you would for a Michelin-star restaurant. Some things like punctuality will always come into play, but the forest from the trees needs you to step back. This is a takeaway, so they have their way of customer service.

The structure is as usual - going up to the counter, making your order and then paying. Afterwards, you take a seat before one of the cooks brings the food to your table. This does well enough, as it is quick and clean, all to order. They bring a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, which is what makes all the difference.

The implications could have well been apparent, but if not, it bears saying - east meets west, and not in a fusion manner. This is the place to get breakfast on the run, or a quick bite to eat between times. You have the usual range of burgers, along with sandwiches by the filling. Breakfasts don't deviate too much from the fry-up variety, with the added influence from Vietnam seeping in. Speaking of that Vietnamese influence, this is where it comes in. They start with the finger foods - that is, banh mi, bun, rice paper rolls - then start to introduce their more substantial meals including pho and such. For something sweet to have, you only have to look into the cabinet for a range of cakes and such. Those would be ideal with a coffee or something.

Speaking of which, you aren't left disappointed either regarding drinks. Tea and coffee make their appearance known, but it doesn't stop there. It would not be an ideal Australian takeaway without the traditional milkshake to be had, and they even do an espresso-based on here. You can also get a range of smoothies here - which includes avocado, another Vietnamese spin. Plus freshly-squeezed juices, iced chocolates, and all the usual options from the fridge it all means you won't be strapped for options.

I, myself, found it hard to go past a bona fide combination that has proven satisfactory many times previously. That was the banh mi, getting paired with a coffee. The filling this time was satay chicken, and the request was for plenty of chilli. I was going through a health phase at the time, in particular, avoiding sugar. Therefore the usual variety of Vietnamese coffee was off-limits to me. Fortunately, they were able to do it black, no sweet condensed milk, and that was good by me.

Once again, that combination proves that it cannot let me down. This time the banh mi was served in a softer roll, which I genuinely prefer. It is because you can bite down easier, and get just as much filling as you can get bread. That is especially when the fillings are as delicious as this, you want to try everything at once. Inside the sandwich was the usual combination of vegetables - carrot, cucumber, some coriander. These were there to add crunch, bring a bit of freshness, and add some colour to the mix. The chicken was tender and slightly crispy from the long process of cooking. It had steeped well in the satay sauce, which itself melded well into the butter. I had not had much during that day, so this was just as satisfactory as it was filling. You just know this had to be paired with a coffee.

As for the coffee, this time around, we are dealing with Cleanskin - which is a massive step up from their previous source, Di Bella. While Cleanskin is not among the most robust blends that are around, it has a smoother flavour profile than average, with notes that are often nutty. There is a difference in flavour, one that seeps up, when the coffee is prepared via a filter as opposed to espresso. Upon putting the hot black coffee onto the ice, the taste changed to a whole new profile. It is tricky to describe, though it is not one for all tastes.

The old meets the new with the Four Sisters. The old being that the outlay is a lot like the classical Australian takeaway, and the new from introducing different kinds of food into the mix plus prettying up the aesthetics. You cannot be too critical about this place, especially when the food is as good as it is. It has written down what it aims to do, and by that criteria, the Four Sisters have certainly succeeded. For anyone who is working within the area, it is good news for them that this little welcoming oasis is only a stone's throw away. It is high quality and sells for a decent deal, making it just as welcome from the other side.

What a great little cafe this is whichwe came across by chance in search of coffee. It was the Di Bella brew which caught my eye. They also serve banh mi, but we had already eaten lunch that day. The coffee was smooth & strong with the requested double shots & there was a pleasant outside area in which to drink it