The bakery thread

[X-AHH]

My family owned a bakery for 30+ years which is probably the reason that I really enjoy good bakery produce and can tell if a bakery is worth a return visit or is only surviving because they have no competition. My work takes me on road trips over several states of Australia and throughout the years, I have developed a mental list of the good and not so good establishments, some of which I would like to share with everyone here.

I would also be very keen to hear from the other members of AFF if they would like to add their own favourites to the list. For now, I am only trying to develop a list of the good ones but, please add your comments if you have any feedback positive or negative for the ones listed below and by others.

Just personal choice but here is my top baker’s dozen list in no particular order:

Ouyen (VIC) - Mallee Bakery
Glen Innes (NSW) - Smeatons Bakery
West Wyalong (NSW) – Roundabout Bakery
Hay (NSW) – Robbo’s Bakery
Mildura (VIC) – Hudaks Bakery
Wudinna Bakery (SA)
Port Pirie (SA) – French Hot Bread Bakery
Barmera Bakery (SA)
Swan Hill Bakehouse (VIC)
Coromandel Valley (SA) – Bake Bakery
Port Noarlunga (SA) – Becks Bakehouse
Kadina (SA) – Cornish Bake House
Tumut (NSW) – Pie In The Sky Bakery

[.:4:.]

Im just rating pies. In sydneys north i rate the skyline bakery in frenches forrest. You have to get in early to get the Mexican pie, they are great but sell out before 7am. In the south, its house of pie in matraville for me. Yet to find a bad pie there, and they do all sorts including kangaroo.

[Citroënbender]

In a time when we’re being encouraged to stay home, draw the blinds and where possible return to the womb, I think this thread is great. Sort of virtual gastro-tourism. As a vegetarian for almost 35 years there are still times when a lightly peppered steak pie tickles my imagination.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

In a time when we’re being encouraged to stay home, draw the blinds and where possible return to the womb, I think this thread is great. Sort of virtual gastro-tourism. As a vegetarian for almost 35 years there are still times when a lightly peppered steak pie tickles my imagination.

Last time i was at house of pie i was with my vegetarian apprentice. He got the vego curry pie, when the asked did he want gravy he said yes. So they got a tub of gravy and dropped the pie in that and gave him a knife and fork. Looked pretty decent to be honest. He rated it.

[cheap]

When we do road trips, we only use local bakeries

Honorable mentions:

Merino Bakery, Longreach(Qld)
Sundance Bakehouse, Jindabyne (NSW)
Cafe Metz, Canungra (Qld) (probably my best pie - sensational)
Cobargo Bakehouse, Cobargo (NSW)

[roKWiz]

A couple of early morning stone quotes in Beechworth so its croissant's to take home for breaky with scrambled eggs. Two apple danish also jumped in the car for good measure.

[X-AHH]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

A couple of early morning stone quotes in Beechworth so its croissant's to take home for breaky with scrambled eggs. Two apple danish also jumped in the car for good measure.

image

I'm jealous, ya lucky bugga!

[Citroënbender]

Who wouldn’t be? Half the posts in this thread make me hungry just reading!

[Peuty]

Originally Posted by cheap

When we do road trips, we only use local bakeries

Honorable mentions:

Merino Bakery, Longreach(Qld)

I'm glad this was mentioned. Their lamingtons are incredible.

[DJR-351]

On my way back from the morning ride I pulled into my local Bakery (Catherine's Lighthouse Bakery) in Burnett Heads. I picked up a Chicken & Salad Roll and a Vanilla Slice, the vanilla slice is my monthly treat from here, they are nearly 5in square and 2in thick. The Roll is a bit of a monster packed with fresh salad and about a third of a chook on a fresh baked roll topped with bacon and cheese......pictured on standard sized dinner plates

[X-AHH]

Originally Posted by DJR-351

On my way back from the morning ride I pulled into my local Bakery (Catherine's Lighthouse Bakery) in Burnett Heads. I picked up a Chicken & Salad Roll and a Vanilla Slice, the vanilla slice is my monthly treat from here, they are nearly 5in square and 2in thick. The Roll is a bit of a monster packed with fresh salad and about a third of a chook on a fresh baked roll topped with bacon and cheese......pictured on standard sized dinner plates

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The vanilla slice has me salivating but I'm not so sure about that rabbit food stuff

[X-AHH]

Oops!

[DJR-351]

Double post

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by xahh

Ouyen (VIC) - Mallee Bakery
Glen Innes (NSW) - Smeatons Bakery
West Wyalong (NSW) – Roundabout Bakery
Hay (NSW) – Robbo’s Bakery
Mildura (VIC) – Hudaks Bakery
Wudinna Bakery (SA)
Port Pirie (SA) – French Hot Bread Bakery
Barmera Bakery (SA)
Swan Hill Bakehouse (VIC)
Coromandel Valley (SA) – Bake Bakery
Port Noarlunga (SA) – Becks Bakehouse
Kadina (SA) – Cornish Bake House
Tumut (NSW) – Pie In The Sky Bakery

Cummins Eyre Peninsula SA 5 loaves Bakery. SA winner of custard tart 5 years running, chilli beef pie is to die for.

[naddis01]

Mick's Bakehouse in Leeton NSW. Award winning pies.

[LG17]

Blackbutt Bakery in Qld.
The best by miles.
It regularly wins awards and all sorts of competitions.

[1970XW351]

Yep, Blackbutt for the win! I always try and sneak through there if heading anywhere remotely near. Pies are on another level and their cakes/slices are fantastic too.

Had some good pies and other items from The Upper Crust bakery in Collaroy last year on a trip to Sydney.

Cheers, Tony

[X-AHH]

I'll throw this extra one into the mix.

Belair (SA) - Banana Boogie Bakery

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by LG17

Blackbutt Bakery in Qld.
The best by miles.
It regularly wins awards and all sorts of competitions.

Had a pie there last Sunday. Not so good. Have they changed hands ? Used to be brilliant...........

Buck's Bakery Landsborough..............

[roKWiz]

Anyone would think I spend a lot of time in bakeries.

Victoria.....

Maldon bakery. Maldon..... beaut breads
Gumtree pies Yack..... fab pies
The bakers Wife Wang..... fab pies, cakes
Appin St Cakeshop Wang..... my favourite, bread and pie place
Beechworth Bakery Beechworth..... (now a chain) but still nice cakes
Hides bakery Benalla..... best sandwiches and breads
Murchinson bakery Murchinson.... best Apple cakes in Vic.
Mawsons Euroa..... great cakes

NSW......

Holbrook Bakery Holbrook..... triple sandwiches (3 halves)
North Rocks Rd Bakery Carlingford... best Sydney sausage rolls IMO
Bourke Street bakery Surry Hills/Barangaroo.. super rich pastries
Fire Station pies Union st Newcastle.... pies pies pies
The Thoroughbred Scone...... liked a few things here
Bellingen Bakery Bellingen...... pumpkin sourdough
RidgyDidge Pies Kempsey and Coffs.... only cakes and pies

Lots more I can't remember.

Anyone remember the great bakery that was at the Williamtown airport (NSW) before they pulled it down ?
And why is it they do not make Apple cakes in NSW ?

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Anyone would think I spend a lot of time in bakeries.

Victoria.....

Maldon bakery. Maldon..... beaut breads
Gumtree pies Yack..... fab pies
The bakers Wife Wang..... fab pies, cakes
Appin St Cakeshop Wang..... my favourite, bread and pie place
Beechworth Bakery Beechworth..... (now a chain) but still nice cakes
Hides bakery Benalla..... best sandwiches and breads
Murchinson bakery Murchinson.... best Apple cakes in Vic.
Mawsons Euroa..... great cakes

NSW......

Holbrook Bakery Holbrook..... triple sandwiches (3 halves)
North Rocks Rd Bakery Carlingford... best Sydney sausage rolls IMO
Bourke Street bakery Surry Hills/Barangaroo.. super rich pastries
Fire Station pies Union st Newcastle.... pies pies pies
Bellingen Bakery Bellingen...... pumpkin sourdough
RidgyDidge Pies Kempsey and Coffs.... only cakes and pies

Lots more I can't remember.

Anyone remember the great bakery that was at the Williamtown airport (NSW) before they pulled it down ?
And why is it they do not make Apple cakes in NSW ?

North rocks road bakery? Are you talking about davids cakes? Up the end past carlingford high school?

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

North rocks road bakery? Are you talking about davids cakes? Up the end past carlingford high school?

Yep, I reckon the take away there is good too. Round the corner from where I grew up.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Anyone would think I spend a lot of time in bakeries.

Victoria.....

Maldon bakery. Maldon..... beaut breads
Gumtree pies Yack..... fab pies
The bakers Wife Wang..... fab pies, cakes
Appin St Cakeshop Wang..... my favourite, bread and pie place
Beechworth Bakery Beechworth..... (now a chain) but still nice cakes
Hides bakery Benalla..... best sandwiches and breads
Murchinson bakery Murchinson.... best Apple cakes in Vic.
Mawsons Euroa..... great cakes

NSW......

Holbrook Bakery Holbrook..... triple sandwiches (3 halves)
North Rocks Rd Bakery Carlingford... best Sydney sausage rolls IMO
Bourke Street bakery Surry Hills/Barangaroo.. super rich pastries
Fire Station pies Union st Newcastle.... pies pies pies
The Thoroughbred Scone...... liked a few things here
Bellingen Bakery Bellingen...... pumpkin sourdough
RidgyDidge Pies Kempsey and Coffs.... only cakes and pies

Lots more I can't remember.

Anyone remember the great bakery that was at the Williamtown airport (NSW) before they pulled it down ?
And why is it they do not make Apple cakes in NSW ?

Another vote for Gumtree pies at Yack. Love going out riding and stopping in on the way home.
Havnt been to Holbrook in ages.
Will be sure to try em out

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Another vote for Gumtree pies at Yack. Love going out riding and stopping in on the way home.
Havnt been to Holbrook in ages.
Will be sure to try em out

Holbrook's the only place I know of which gives you 3 halves for a sandwich.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Another vote for Gumtree pies at Yack. Love going out riding and stopping in on the way home.
Havnt been to Holbrook in ages.
Will be sure to try em out

Jebus been a while.

Went to Holbrook for a pie few months back.
Usual steak and mushroom.
Still as good as it was when i was a kid getting them (grandparents lived about 20mins away)
Then not long after dropped into Culcairn bakery, was ok but not as good as Holbrook
Both not as good as the local hot bake IMHO

[Trendseeker]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Bourke Street bakery Surry Hills/Barangaroo.. super rich pastries
Fire Station pies Union st Newcastle.... pies pies pies

I was working in the Surry Hills area in the second half of last year and wasn’t aware that bakery was there.

I agree with your recommendation on the pies from the Fire Station pie shop in Cooks Hill / Newcastle. It’s been many years since I last bought one, but they are memorable for a few reasons.

Firstly, they have the highest gravy to meat ratio of any pie I’ve ever eaten. The shop’s heating oven is set at maximum temperature, and the pies are served scalding hot.

If you’re eating the pie out of the paper bag rather than taking it home or whatever, it’s a big mistake to take a large bite first up. If you do you’ll have a sore tongue for the rest of the meal. After taking a small nibble to open it up and vent the heat, you have to hold the pie at least at a 45 degree angle or the contents will pour out. If you’re careful you can get through the rest of the pie over the next 15 minutes without a burned tongue. They’re too hot to eat any faster.

On one occasion I had taken the first nibble and was letting it cool when two small leaks appeared in the pastry around the top, and the piping hot gravy started oozing out like lava from a volcano. After attempting to slurp it up and stop the leaks, turning the pie in my hands caused a small breach in the base, and from there the situation went downhill fast.

Soon the meat and gravy began to flow from the base and the pastry started collapsing like concrete under an uncooled nuclear core. The whole molten mess then hit the paper bag underneath and it was about to go the full China syndrome meltdown and pour off the paper and into my lap. I had to move quickly to the bin and let it go much to the amusement of the other guys I was having lunch with.

Despite that one mishap I recommend their pies. Take a plastic plate and fork just in case.

[Citroënbender]

Sounds more like you need a straw first, then a fork.

[roKWiz]

Trendseeker, yep that's what happened to me at the Fire station, you soon learn the better option is to take it on a cooling ride first. Maybe eating it, admiring the passing whales.
The original Bourke st Bakery is tiny and probably why its hard to spot.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Trendseeker

I was working in the Surry Hills area in the second half of last year and wasn’t aware that bakery was there.

I agree with your recommendation on the pies from the Fire Station pie shop in Cooks Hill / Newcastle. It’s been many years since I last bought one, but they are memorable for a few reasons.

Firstly, they have the highest gravy to meat ratio of any pie I’ve ever eaten. The shop’s heating oven is set at maximum temperature, and the pies are served scalding hot.

If you’re eating the pie out of the paper bag rather than taking it home or whatever, it’s a big mistake to take a large bite first up. If you do you’ll have a sore tongue for the rest of the meal. After taking a small nibble to open it up and vent the heat, you have to hold the pie at least at a 45 degree angle or the contents will pour out. If you’re careful you can get through the rest of the pie over the next 15 minutes without a burned tongue. They’re too hot to eat any faster.

On one occasion I had taken the first nibble and was letting it cool when two small leaks appeared in the pastry around the top, and the piping hot gravy started oozing out like lava from a volcano. After attempting to slurp it up and stop the leaks, turning the pie in my hands caused a small breach in the base, and from there the situation went downhill fast.

Soon the meat and gravy began to flow from the base and the pastry started collapsing like concrete under an uncooled nuclear core. The whole molten mess then hit the paper bag underneath and it was about to go the full China syndrome meltdown and pour off the paper and into my lap. I had to move quickly to the bin and let it go much to the amusement of the other guys I was having lunch with.

Despite that one mishap I recommend their pies. Take a plastic plate and fork just in case.

Reminds me of this
https://www.triplem.com.au/story/wil...is-mouth-82919

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by Trendseeker

I was working in the Surry Hills area in the second half of last year and wasn’t aware that bakery was there.

I agree with your recommendation on the pies from the Fire Station pie shop in Cooks Hill / Newcastle. It’s been many years since I last bought one, but they are memorable for a few reasons.

Firstly, they have the highest gravy to meat ratio of any pie I’ve ever eaten. The shop’s heating oven is set at maximum temperature, and the pies are served scalding hot.

If you’re eating the pie out of the paper bag rather than taking it home or whatever, it’s a big mistake to take a large bite first up. If you do you’ll have a sore tongue for the rest of the meal. After taking a small nibble to open it up and vent the heat, you have to hold the pie at least at a 45 degree angle or the contents will pour out. If you’re careful you can get through the rest of the pie over the next 15 minutes without a burned tongue. They’re too hot to eat any faster.

On one occasion I had taken the first nibble and was letting it cool when two small leaks appeared in the pastry around the top, and the piping hot gravy started oozing out like lava from a volcano. After attempting to slurp it up and stop the leaks, turning the pie in my hands caused a small breach in the base, and from there the situation went downhill fast.

Soon the meat and gravy began to flow from the base and the pastry started collapsing like concrete under an uncooled nuclear core. The whole molten mess then hit the paper bag underneath and it was about to go the full China syndrome meltdown and pour off the paper and into my lap. I had to move quickly to the bin and let it go much to the amusement of the other guys I was having lunch with.

Despite that one mishap I recommend their pies. Take a plastic plate and fork just in case.

Yeah bakeries have been making party pies just like that for about 50 years that I can remember!cool on the outside and somewhere around 1000 deg celsius inside.