Guest post from "The Travelling Kebab"

For those that haven't been to the exciting metropolis of Adelaide, you won't know that the humble kebab (otherwise known as the 'Yiros') is up there with square white bread and vegemite at the top of the list of essential daily food requirements.

Featuring on every street corner, in every workplace cafeteria and food hall, the Yiros is traditionally created by close relatives of Con the Fruiterer, all indistinguishable by their matching year-round Movember efforts. (Corporal Kebab, I have business cards if you would like to discuss growing technique).

On Jetty Street in Glenelg, there is the upmarket establishment of Souvlaki Bros - Charcoal Yiros, from which I choose a Cypriot Yiros aka Kebab with grilled Haloumi Cheese:

Presentation:

This Yiros is handed to you in a foil-lined paper bag for heat retention and is wrapped in the standard grease-proof paper. It was not very tightly rolled, nor was it toasted (! shock, horror!) but it did not fall apart or make a lot of mess. No greasy fingers at the end, either. (8/10)

Size:

At $11.00, the Cypriot was more expensive than the standard Yiros at $8.00 but it was still a good value and well-proportioned lunch. (8/10)

Health Factor:

I now draw your attention to the 'Charcoal Yiros' part of the name. Instead of the vertical towers of processed meat that is usually used in kebabs, Souvlaki Bros have horizontal spits turning over glowing red coals. The lamb (I had lamb) still highly resembled lamb, not processed stuff and wasn't fatty at all. And, because it is constantly grilling, they did not have to re-fry in a little pan. Thumbs up! Lots of fresh, crisp lettuce, tomato, onion and LOTS of chopped parsley made this a very healthy lunch. The grilled haloumi cheese was far superior to grated cheddar and must be tried if you ever get the chance. Sufficient amount of very garlic sauce didn't detract from health factor. (8/10)

Overall:

I haven't had a kebab for so long that I can't remember the last time but this was a great meal. Compared to the standard WA kebab establishment offerings, I think I will have to wait until I go back to Adelaide to try one again. By the way, the picture above is from the Souvlaki Bros website and does, in fact, look pretty much like my lunch. (9/10)

Jandakot Cafe - Aviators Burger

Right, all you tie-wearing, napkin-using city types, time to review a real burger, the AVIATORS BURGER (also known as the AV Burger, AB or the I'm-married-so-it-doesn't-matter anymore burger), available from the Aviator's Cafe at Jandakot Airport.

The Aviators Cafe is one of two eating establishments at Jandakot, the other being the Runway Cafe at the Aero Club. This is more of an a-la-carte venue and hence the Aviator's Cafe (henceforth known as the Kafe) enjoys somewhat of a monopoly. Consequently there is no real drive for the competitive edge. I will explain...

Presentation: Either made out the back or plucked warm(ish) from the bain-marie, the AV burger wins no points for presentation. Wrapped in garden variety burger paper (entirely possibly coming from the garden) with the added garnish of "AV Burger" written on the top with delicious black texta, this meal screams class. But there is something about it reminds me of the rustic charm of a Melbourne Pie Shop (less the salmonella and old Italians) 2/10.

Size: This is where you go for the AV. Made with your stock standard sugar infused burger bun, with not 1 but 2 all meat (of some description) patties, lettuce, mayo and cheese-flavoured-snack-portions with the special sauce (tomato... not really that special), this burger is surprisingly adequate for a luncheon. 7/10

Value for Money: I now refer you back to my previous comments on the geographical monoploy of the Kafe. If I really wanted to, I could drive the 5 or so minutes to the Farrington Road Shops and the veritable smorgasbord of bourgeois foods, but the Kafe knows as well as I do that I can't be bothered, and hence they now charge $5.50 for this culinary masterpiece. Bit of a ripoff, but it's too much life effort to go anywhere else. 5/10 for playing the game well.

Quality: This burger has lasting value. Any lunch that is still going strong a 4pm is quality meat sandwich product. The ingredients are all your standard fillings, but thinking back, why bother with anything better? Like anyone is going to Jandakot for a good meal, and as we have established, Jandakotians ain't going anywhere else. It's either the burger or a $6.00 Ham 'n' Salad roll.... Go the burger. 3/10.

Overall: Lets face it, sooner or later you just want a cheap 'ol burger with all the drippings. Mean score: 4.25/10

Winner: Probably the kebab, but it's just too far away...

Guest Review - AV Burger

Jandakot Cafe - Aviator's Burger

by...The Flying Kebab