Every local shop has a little takeaway place to turn to when you want something quickly (or late at night, when you don’t mind not knowing what’s in it!) It’s a place with greasy hamburgers, fish and chips or chunky pizza with so much cheese it forms a blanket over the top. Some of them still number in my favourite places to eat, so here are the best of the bad takeaway foods.
My introduction to Chinese food came from my local shop. When I was growing up, Lisa’s Chinese Restaurant made quite a profit from my family. Our order has changed a few items over the years, but we still get the Honey Chicken, San Choy Bao and Special Fried Rice. To this day I judge all Chinese food by the menu at Lisa’s.
Closer to the city, word of mouth drew me to the Kaleen Pizza and Snack Bar. Kaleen and the surrounding suburbs are lucky to have this popular little place all to themselves. The pizza is great, real, and cooked on a stone base by people who know pizza. Apparently word of mouth has spread far and wide because they are always busy! For an insider’s tip, while you’re there try the roast potatoes.
I have a lot of favourite burger places. Grease Monkey is right up there along with Brodburger, but another contender for the ‘best burgers’ crown is a little further north. Watson Takeaway has some great burgers and Canberrans travel from the other side of the lake for their fish and chips.
It is well known that Chicken Gourmet is the best late-night place for chips… especially after a few drinks. Combined with chicken salt, gravy and sometimes cheese (for those who want something that no longer resembles its source vegetable), these chips don’t need the aid of alcohol to enhance the flavour.
We may be far away from any sea but we don’t have to go to Bateman’s Bay for some fish and chips. The Cookery Nook in Hawker serves aversion of the take-away classic that’s good enough for the experts – cheap and tasty like good takeaway food should be.
So, on a night when you’re cheating on your diet and you just want to indulge in some terribly great food, head down to the shop on the corner for something quick cheap and fabulous. We’re right behind you!
