Forget the pepper we’re all about the Saltie.
When I think of takeaway joints and train station cafés, soggy salads, mystery muffins, and pre-made sandwiches all come to mind. So when I heard that there was a new café near Central Station called Saltie serving fresh hand-made breakfast, bowls and burgers without a plastic-wrap sambo in sight, I decided to investigate.
Saltie is the latest takeaway and café addition to Surry Hills that is giving people on-the-go good quality food at the speed of light. Planted just up the road from Central Station on Devonshire Street, Saltie is serving breakfast and lunch staples straight from the chef to the customer.
Owners Korey Turk and Yas Yalin abandoned their day-jobs and took a chance on their dream by opening Saltie. We’re glad they did. Turk and Yalin have been friends since they were youngins, “we have always loved food, since we were 15” they go on to tell me. The fit-out of this café was completed by one builder and they ‘just winged it’ with the design. This place has heart.
Considering Saltie opened up a mere few months ago, they already have a steady stream of regular customers (some of whom popped in during our visit). Many of these customers pre-ordered their coffee and lunch through the ‘Hey You’ app which Saltie offers as a solution to time constraints.
Now you’ve read some of the story, its time to get your tastebuds tingling. The menu is a modest two-page spread, divided into food and beverages – Simple and confident, all for $12 or under.
Saltie specialises in all-day breakfast, burgers, bowls and alliteration. The breakfast menu covers all your staples including a killer ‘Crushed Avo Toast’ ($9), ‘Bacon Egg Roll’ with smoked speck ($10), and ‘French Toast Cinnamon Sticks’ ($5).
Lunch branches out with burgers ($10) and bowls ($12): An ahi tuna ‘Poke Bowl’, ‘Spicy Tofu Rice Bowl’ , crispy kale ‘Super Bowl’, classic beef ‘Cheeseburger’, ‘Salties Fried Chicken Burger’ and the ‘Veggie Cheeseburger’. You can’t accuse these guys of pigeonholing their customers – They have a selection of gluten-free options that are just as tasty as the rest of the menu and rotating specials to keep things interesting. The flavours on their menu are well-balanced, fresh and satisfying.
Their takeaway counter serves fresh salads, sandwiches, muffins and other baked goods. While the beverage menu reads espresso, latte, Nutella hot chocolate, milkshakes and coconut coffee – A beverage I would happily trade all other drinks and my first-born for.
I’m a firm believer in the ‘each to their own’ philosophy, but after trying Salties’ coconut coffee I have since abandoned this mantra – Everyone (yes everyone) needs to try this drink. For $6 you can grab a fresh coconut water espresso pour-over. Co-owner Korey Turk explains that fresh coconut water has a nutty taste compared to bottled coconut water, which ends up tasting sweet due to the stabilizers added to the water. This nutty flavour enhances the taste of the espresso, without creating too strong a contrast.
Final verdict? Run, don’t walk – This is a café that will become a firm and fast favourite. Friendly service and good banter are the cherry on top.
Saltie
80 Devonshire St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
(02) 8056 9681
Open Mon – Fri: 6.30am – 4pm, Sat: 7am – 2pm
For more information and rotating specials, visit their Facebook page.
