Barbecue, beer and benedicts – Morningside’s Southside Tea Room relaunches
It seems like it was born only yesterday, but we merely blinked an eye, and suddenly Southside Tea Room is all grown up. We can reminisce the good old days when menu highlights included three chips and dip – we will cherish the memories and never forget them – but six years on, Southside has truly come of age.
The details
When Patience Hodgson and John Patterson first opened Southside Tea Room, it began simply as a coffee window. As time went on, the cafe evolved, the kitchen grew, events such as Disney Karaoke were introduced, it gained a neighbouring dive bar and permanent food truck … let’s just say, a lot has happened over the past six years. The ideas just kept rolling in, but the time came for the pair to take stock of everything they had learnt, amalgamate those ideas and channel them into a fresh new direction for Southside Tea Room. And that new direction features a whole lot of smoky, mouth-watering meats.
The space
After two months of renovations, Southside Tea Room has reopened, ditching the cafe fare for barbecue, beers and brunch on weekends. John and Patience (with the help of their pals) have completely overhauled the space, including a fresh new bar, burnt-wood panelling, picnic-style tables and subtle Southern nods – think boy scout-esque axes, tree-stump bar stools and a mounted cow skull presiding over the dining area. The neighbouring Death Valley space has been converted into an 80s-style arcade, complete with Daytona, Time Crisis 2 and a selection of pinball machines, and the courtyard (sans Red Robin Supper Truck) has been opened right up for extra seating.
The food and drink
When it came to food, the barbecue choice was simple. Smoking has become a serious hobby for John in recent years, but he wanted to showcase the meat in a way that respected the animal, especially after the time and care spent preparing it each day. That means you won’t find unnecessary frills on the menu – a selection of 14 sauces would only mask the flavours of the meat. What you will find is the likes of brisket, pulled lamb shoulder, espresso-rubbed and smoked charcoal-chicken kebabs, and buffalo, jalapeno and cheddar sausages by the serve. There’s also sandwiches such as the Brisket Big Mac, charcoal-chicken roll, chopped-beef cheesesteak, and Southside’s famous Hungry Hippie holding strong. Sides include burnt-end pinto beans, gruyere and vintage cheddar mac and cheese, and Cajun potato salad, alongside Tequilime Pie, Passiona Cream Pie and Southside’s renowned Brisbane Blackout for dessert. Four local Brisbane brews rotate on tap alongside the likes of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Stone & Wood Garden Ale, and a selection of cocktails. On weekends the eatery opens for brunch, where your choice can range from avocado toast and macadamia, lime and coconut muesli, to fairy bread French toast and the Burnt End Eggs Benedict – that’s burnt-end brisket fries topped with two poached eggs, house cheese whiz and micro herbs. Oh yeah.
If you’re ready to experience Southside Tea Room all grown up, head to our Stumble Guide for opening hours and contact details.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.
