The bakery thread

**X-AHH** · 16-07-2020, 11:46 AM

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:. · 16-07-2020, 12:09 PM

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 · 16-07-2020, 12:24 PM

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.

cheap · 16-07-2020, 12:31 PM

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)

.:4:. · 16-07-2020, 12:51 PM

Quote:

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.

Tonz · 16-07-2020, 12:52 PM

Quote:

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 · 16-07-2020, 01:01 PM

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

LG17 · 16-07-2020, 01:04 PM

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

1970XW351 · 16-07-2020, 01:12 PM

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** · 16-07-2020, 01:16 PM

I'll throw this extra one into the mix.

Belair (SA) - Banana Boogie Bakery

**aussiblue** · 16-07-2020, 01:32 PM

Pinjarra Bakery Pinjarra, Maddington, Waroona and Port Kennedy WA.

winkle · 16-07-2020, 04:06 PM

Agree with Ouyen and Mildura. Further south, there's a great bakery at Bridgewater on Loddon, and another at Moama. One at Maldon is pretty good too.

Tassie f100 · 16-07-2020, 04:15 PM

There is a good bakery at Bridgewater!but it is a long long way south of Mildura LOL.

wackyv8 · 17-07-2020, 01:10 PM

This is tricky. i have a thing for sausage rolls , so it gets difficult to rate a bakery overall that makes great pies ,but terrible snag rolls. i do have a few of - MUST STOP bakeries- when im on the road though .
all in VIC , no particular order.
as mentioned previously
Bridgewater on loddon, bakery , good allround, pies, sausage rolls , pastrys
Nagambie , good allround , pies .
Creswick, ok pies , Excellent sausage rolls
Woodend , good allround, pies, sausage rolls , pastrys - their vanilla slice is 10/10

.:4:. · 17-07-2020, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wackyv8

This is tricky. i have a thing for sausage rolls , so it gets difficult to rate a bakery overall that makes great pies ,but terrible snag rolls. i do have a few of - MUST STOP bakeries- when im on the road though .
all in VIC , no particular order.
as mentioned previously
Bridgewater on loddon, bakery , good allround, pies, sausage rolls , pastrys
Nagambie , good allround , pies .
Creswick, ok pies , Excellent sausage rolls
Woodend , good allround, pies, sausage rolls , pastrys - their vanilla slice is 10/10

Im also fond of a good sausage roll. However, there is a different criteria for pastry between eat in the car and not make a flakey mess, or eat sitting down where a flakey mess is no issue.

**X-AHH** · 17-07-2020, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wackyv8

This is tricky. i have a thing for sausage rolls , so it gets difficult to rate a bakery overall that makes great pies ,but terrible snag rolls. i do have a few of - MUST STOP bakeries- when im on the road though .
all in VIC , no particular order.
as mentioned previously
Bridgewater on loddon, bakery , good allround, pies, sausage rolls , pastrys
Nagambie , good allround , pies .
Creswick, ok pies , Excellent sausage rolls
Woodend , good allround, pies, sausage rolls , pastrys - their vanilla slice is 10/10

Since you brought up the subject of vanilla slices, did you realise that Ouyen used to hold an annual vanilla slice festival? I'm not sure if it still runs because a year or two ago it went to a different town and after that, the Mildura Council was seeking expressions of interest from other towns in the Mallee area to host the event.

**Burnout** · 17-07-2020, 02:30 PM

The bakery @ Goomari is gooood.
As is the one in Glen Innes & the one in Narrabri.

**X-AHH** · 17-07-2020, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burnout

The bakery @ Goomari is gooood.
As is the one in Glen Innes & the one in Narrabri.

I've got to head over to Narrabri in a couple of months so I'll be sure to check that one out

**buggerlugs** · 17-07-2020, 03:51 PM

Quote:

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 · 17-07-2020, 04:44 PM

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:. · 17-07-2020, 04:45 PM

Quote:

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 · 17-07-2020, 04:48 PM

Quote:

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.

.:4:. · 17-07-2020, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roKWiz

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

My brother worked at the bakery there 23 or 24 years ago. I also grew up in the area. The owner has a van with the number plates 4U2EAT.

**X-AHH** · 17-07-2020, 05:01 PM

I think that now that the post count is over 20, there's enough interest being shown to warrant a few photos of the bakeries and pies, cakes etc.

roKWiz · 17-07-2020, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xahh

I think that now that the post count is over 20, there's enough interest being shown to warrant a few photos of the bakeries and pies, cakes etc.

Its going to be a while.

**X-AHH** · 17-07-2020, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Its going to be a while.

Not for us South Aussies, we're unbridled and free roaming creatures presently

It just so happens that I have a firm appointment with the Coromandel Bake Bakery tomorrow morning. It's gonna get nasty!!

.:4:. · 17-07-2020, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xahh

It's gonna get nasty!!

The photo before you tuck in, or the after photo?

**GasoLane** · 17-07-2020, 06:02 PM

Watch the page count go up when Cav Finds this thread

CoupeKing · 17-07-2020, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GasoLane

Watch the page count go up when Cav Finds this thread

It will go up faster than his cholesterol level

prydey · 17-07-2020, 06:20 PM

Meadows bakery (SA) - I normally go for the honey log. Daughter reckons the vanilla slice is among the best.

Clarendon bakery (SA) - more sugary baked goodness.

Betta Bake at woodcroft s.a. also has a wall full of awards. Only tried their donuts and they go down easy and are huge.

I don't do pies, pasties or sausage rolls that much.

Also not in the habit of taking photos of my food.

I travel through the mallee most years on my way through to Bris. Good to know ouyen has a decent bakery. Used to stop at one at lameroo as a kid which was good. Went back for old times sake a couple of years ago, and it was a case of 'how the mighty have fallen'. Terrible.

Good thread.