A lunch tower for two
It's not very often when I go to a cafe two days in a row. But that's exactly what I did when I discovered Station 134 Cafe in Main Rd Greensborough. My decision was sealed when I saw the brekky and lunch towers!
But there's way more to be impressed about. For a start, it's a local family business. The owners are sisters Bella and Madi, mum Kylie, husband Rob, cousin Georgia and auntie Marj. Each of them has business experience, particularly hospo experience. They are very friendly staff, who remembered me even though I'd only been there once.
Brand new cafe
I am in awe of the fact that they have done everything themselves in the cafe. The tiling, painting and they even made the tables. The only thing they didn't do was the wallpaper.
They believe local produce is best. Their coffee is roasted in Arthurs Creek and bread and cakes come are baked fresh from the Lower Plenty Bakehouse. Their milk is Gippsland from fourth-generation farmers. They also purchase food from the local butcher, grocer and eggs from a farm in Doreen.
Interior styling done by the family
Another good reason to frequent Station 134 Cafe is that there is plenty of parking and it's away from the hustle and bustle of Greensborough shopping centre but within walkable distance. It's just next to the bus stops and the train station so it's not surprising they have a lot of early morning trade where commuters are picking up the delicious coffee. They are open every day (except Sundays) at 6:30 and close at 3:30 but are soon to open a wine bar next door, so they will be open until about 11 Thursday, Friday Saturday and Sunday nights.
Of course very important is the food. On the first day, we had carrot cake, which was lovely and moist. I also had a yellow smoothie, which was pineapple, mango, papaya, banana and choice of milk. It was most enjoyable because I don't like things too sweet.
Sweet treat deals
Station 134 Cafe has a very large menu, including some of my favourites like arancini for $12 and iced chocolate for $5.50. When I asked what the most popular menu items were, that's when I found out about those amazing food towers from $52 (for two).
Delicious Breakfast Tower
The next day we had a brekky tower which included two types of toast, avocado, halloumi, mushrooms, feta, relish, eggs of your choice, Hollandaise, hash browns and pancakes on top with berries ice cream and chocolate syrup. I may have forgotten something but there was plenty of food and the most stunning brekky I've had for ... maybe, forever. Madi was more than happy to make some suggestions of substitutes when we said we didn't want to have bacon.
A popular choice- burgers
The lunch tower from 11.30 includes a burger, chicken Parma, calamari, arancini, fat chips, Greek salad, served with tomato and hearty sauce and fruit salad on top. Yum.
They have an all-day and lunch menu including super salads, such as halloumi and avocado Caesar salad for $16. This is what I'm getting next time. It includes cos lettuce, red apple, caramelised walnuts, pan-fried halloumi, avocado, egg and Caesar dressing - pretty much all my food favourites in the world.
There are way too many options to go through everything on the menu, but just to note they do cater for vegans, vegetarians and have probably the biggest list of food for kids, way beyond the usual nuggets and chips.
Look out for them - Station 134
They have the cashless, waitless loyalty cards. It's as simple as ABC,
A – download the free Skip app
B – preorder and pay
C – Pick up your ready-made order without waiting.
Look out for the wine bar, due to open next door in about a month. It's aimed at the 25 plus age group. They want to set up a space for a mature audience where you can access food (next door) and a tapas menu. They are trying to avoid the partygoers. It's not a place to come and get drunk.
So they pretty much have everything covered. Morning coffee, brekky, lunch and wine on the way home!
I dare you to resist the brekky or lunch tower.
Tell them Jeni from WeekendNotes sent you.
