Mighty thanks to our many visitors, eating companions, leavers of comments and providers of tips!
Remember, it’s only a list.
If I did it on another day, it’d likely be different.
And there’s lots of other places and people we like.
1. COFFEE
We love the vibe at Cup & Bean in Kingsville – welcoming and cool without trying too hard.
We love, too, the simple, nifty $5 ham, cheese and pickle sandwiches Tim knocks us up for cheap lunches.
And every cup of coffee is perfection.
2. TOP NEWS STORY
The opening of super ritzy grocery A.Bongiovanni & Son in Seddon really had tongues wagging.
We’re happy to report we’ve become regular customers.
And not just for specialty items, either. More than often than not we’re in there for regular fresh produce and groceries.
The arrival in the west of a food truck, White Guy Cooks Thai, was hot news, as well.
3. SURROUNDED BY INDIANS
Is there any doubt the western suburbs – especially the inner west – have become Indian Central for Melbourne?
Especially at affordable prices?
We have no particular favourite – we do, however, have particular favourites at specific restaurants.
It’s been a matter of horses for courses and all that for wonderful meals we’ve had at Yummy India, Biryani House, Salaam Namaste Dosa Hut, Pandu’s, Vanakkam, Indi Chutneys and Mishra’s Kitchen.
4. BURGERS/F&C
Rockfish at Edgewater is proving a grand regular for us when we’re in the mood for burgers and/or fish and chips – old-school, good service, table seating both indoors and out, tasty food.
We dig Dappa Snappa Fish Cafe in Williamstown, too!
5. A TOAST TO THE ROASTS
The old-fashioned charms of a roast meal really kicked in for us in 2012.
The incredible $10 Sunday roast deal at the Spottiswoode Hotel was a highlight, but we loved our dinners at Bruno’s Coffee Lounge and the Famous Blue Raincoat, too.
6. BEST NON-WESTERN SUBURBS JOINT
Abbout Falafel House in Sydney Rd, Coburg, serves thoroughly wonderful, delicious, fresh and cheap Lebanese food.
Some days we’re pretty sure it’s the best restaurant in Melbourne.
And there’s times, too, we’re convinced it’s the best eats emporium in the known universe …
7. BEST FRANCHISE FAST FOOD
We’ve been back Guzman Y Gomez Mexican Taqueria at Highpoint several times and always enjoy it.
The food may not match it in terms of presentation and zing of your more high-falutin’ Mexican places, but it’s cheap and we like it.
8. MOST “OUT THERE” ADVENTURE
Some musing on the nature of “crab sticks” saw me visiting Austrimi Seafoods in North Geelong for a tour of their surimi factory.
I’ve watched with bemusement as the original post has become a regular, daily Google go-to story for searches such as “is there tripe in seafood extender” and “what are crab sticks made of”.
9. FAVOURITE RESTAURANT
It’s a tie!
We only made it to Safari in Ascot Vale once this year, but we continue to hold the establishment, its fabulous Somalian food and the welcome in the very highest of regards.
Ace Japanese place Ajitoya in Seddon has become a regular for refined comfort food – even if that is a contradictory term.
10. BEST SANDWICH
We adore La Morenita in Sunshine every which way, even if Bennie has gone off having cold empanadas in his school lunches.
All the sandwiches are good, but we especially love the chacarero of steak, cheese, tomato, mayo, greens beans and hot green chilli.
The beans squeak!
11. TOP MEAL
Such a simple, earthy pleasure – chicken curry with a fresh baguette roll at Xuan Xinh, a rather anonymous St Albans cafe.
Yay! So glad you went with a top ten – now I have a list to tick off during my holidays!
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Great Post Kenny!
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have you guys tried the best somali cafe in footscray “jazeera cafe” on paisley st,footscray..
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Yep, but it was quite a while ago. Was OK. Maybe time for another try!
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any somali restaurant in sunshine?.. i only been to footscray,but man is it becoming capital african australian lol,,like atlanta in america haha.. footscray feels like u r in america ,the diversity, the face and food ,the only thing is missing jamaican food in footscray and u have new york lol..
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Jamaican? Try Bax Food Co in Gamin St.
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i love vietnames and italian food..but before coming to footscray i though australian food was just these two..just looking around,and u discover footscray and u think wow lol
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Yep!
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Bax food looks good..thanks..i am not going back to US any time soon lol.. melbourne is great city
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now its your faut i am thinking of motta causine ! cant wait bax food co
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yum reminds me motta causine!..bax food cant wait
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i dont know if u been to america..but if u do try motta causine.. in new york
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cant wait bax food, not far from footscray it seams
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