Looking at a supermarket television advertisement for steak, it reminded me of a memorable event whilst in Manjimup, Western Australia in 1988. To this day, I have never again experienced the quality of steak that I had that day.
I had just refuelled the car and asked the attendant where a good place for lunch might be. He responded that if I liked steak, there was a little café run by two girls that was very popular in town. The instructions were to continue on the main street, take the next turn to the right, then go straight over the next street, and turn left into the second. The café is down about 200 yards on the left. I duly followed the instructions and arrived outside a classic 1950’s group of three shops, complete with verandah.
Walking into the small shop in the middle of the group, I was greeted with black and white vinyl tiles on the floor, laminex tables and vinyl chairs. A number of tables were occupied, with many patrons obviously enjoying their meals. I was advised by one of the girls, to take a seat at any vacant table and she would come over and take our orders. I duly ordered rump steak and the meal came out a short time later. The steak was exceptional, tender and almost melted in your mouth. Whilst I was consuming my meal, a number of other guests finished theirs and were very complimentary to the two girls as they left.
I finished my meal and as the shop was now empty, except for myself and my son, I motioned to the girls to come over to my table. When they arrived, I posed the question, “You do not get meat of this quality unless you know the butcher. Which one of you is going out with the butcher?” Both girls started to laugh, and a short time later the shorter, and it would appear the older of the two, responded. “I am married to him!!”, and the other responded, “And I am his sister!!” That explained the exceptional quality of the steak.
Whilst I could not remember the exact address of the café, I did a Google search and followed the original instructions and located 31B Rose Street, which is still operated as a restaurant today, however under another name. : Sales History: 2016 Sold $438,000 July 28, 2016. 1993 Sold $316,000 December 22, 1993. It would appear that the girls sold the premises in 1993. It now trades under the name of the Blue Tiger.
I had just refuelled the car and asked the attendant where a good place for lunch might be. He responded that if I liked steak, there was a little café run by two girls that was very popular in town. The instructions were to continue on the main street, take the next turn to the right, then go straight over the next street, and turn left into the second. The café is down about 200 yards on the left. I duly followed the instructions and arrived outside a classic 1950’s group of three shops, complete with verandah.
Walking into the small shop in the middle of the group, I was greeted with black and white vinyl tiles on the floor, laminex tables and vinyl chairs. A number of tables were occupied, with many patrons obviously enjoying their meals. I was advised by one of the girls, to take a seat at any vacant table and she would come over and take our orders. I duly ordered rump steak and the meal came out a short time later. The steak was exceptional, tender and almost melted in your mouth. Whilst I was consuming my meal, a number of other guests finished theirs and were very complimentary to the two girls as they left.
I finished my meal and as the shop was now empty, except for myself and my son, I motioned to the girls to come over to my table. When they arrived, I posed the question, “You do not get meat of this quality unless you know the butcher. Which one of you is going out with the butcher?” Both girls started to laugh, and a short time later the shorter, and it would appear the older of the two, responded. “I am married to him!!”, and the other responded, “And I am his sister!!” That explained the exceptional quality of the steak.
Whilst I could not remember the exact address of the café, I did a Google search and followed the original instructions and located 31B Rose Street, which is still operated as a restaurant today, however under another name. : Sales History: 2016 Sold $438,000 July 28, 2016. 1993 Sold $316,000 December 22, 1993. It would appear that the girls sold the premises in 1993. It now trades under the name of the Blue Tiger.
Barry O'Connor
April 2024
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