Salty Joe's: Huskisson, AUSTRALIA

3 days ago · 3 min read · Huskisson

On our recent camping/cabin-ing holiday... we arrived in the area of our cabin-site earlier than the check-in time. No problem... generally when we are travelling by car and just rolling along... we take our time, leave earlier and just stop and start everywhere... and then just arrive when we arrive.

So, we ended up being about an hour before the check-in time... and we probably could have just gone straight to Hidden Creek, but we figured we could also have an afternoon lunch/snack and just pass the time in the nearby little town of Huskisson.

The Space

The cafe/restaurant is right opposite the beach area of Huskisson, and what appears to be the main drag of the little beach town as well. Given that we were there in the summer holidays, it was pretty damn busy... both on the beaches, and the tourist traps as well.

There was very little seating on the terrace and street area, but it was pretty warm outside anyway... and we had been just travelling, and so we were pretty keen to get inside to the air conditioning!

... and the inside is pretty nice. Comfortably spaced chairs... and it becomes quite apparent that the place is a bar in addition to the cafe and restaurant!

The Menu

The menu is an interesting mix between a trendy Australian cafe and a fast beach hut! But definitely leaning towards the trendier side of things... no bags of chips with vinegar here!

The Food

Given that it was a late second lunch and a light afternoon snack to pass an hour... we, didn't order much to eat. Two main plates to share between the four of us.

A fried chicken burger was the first choice for the kids... and it was pretty damn good! Quite unexpected for a tourist beach spot! Nice crispy chicken with a tasty seasoning... and the chips were actually really very good as well... nicely seasoned, and crunchy!

... on the adult side of things, an Asian style salad with salt and pepper calamari. Again, a lot better than I had expected... at least with the seafood! However, the salad side of things was okay... but not quite up to the rest of the meal... a touch on the soggy side of things.

.... sigh, our oldest ordered a mango smoothie... but with charcoal!?!?!? I know that activated charcoal is a sort of in thing... but honestly, it makes everything taste a bit gluggy. She liked it... I didn't.

... and my youngest ordered a cold-pressed apple juice... which I LOVED... and she didn't.

The Experience

When you are at the beach... and tourist one at that, you are expecting to have mediocre food and to be gouged for the experience as well. Well, Salt Joe's was definitely a bit of a surprise... unexpectedly good food, and the coffee was okay (my wife didn't like it though...)... but it was a touch on the expensive side of things.

Still, a pleasant place to side down and kill some time... and the staff were friendly and left us alone... and the service was fast as well.