I work in the western end of Melbourne's CBD (near the King / Bourke Streets intersection), and regularly have a hankering for potato cakes but struggle to find them now.
A couple of old-school take-aways have closed.
Chips are ok, but even those are difficult to find.
Any suggestions?
Forgot about that; 20 minute walk each way, which should negate the potato cake!
Southern Cross Station - chicko roll place?
CBD Bakery, 480 Bourke Street.
So you are looking for scallop or potato?
Man this brings back memories. They're called "potato scallops" - basically a thinnish slice of potato that's (from memory) dipped in batter and deep fried. Used to get them everyday after school. Good times.
They're called "potato scallops"
Not in Victoria, you cretin :p
They are every time I'm in Victoria! Usually followed by a return question of "Are you from Sydney?" ;D
@b0redd: I think it’s a generational thing and state thing. It’s the same with Parma or parmi. In parts of Victoria they’re called both.
Definitely potato cakes in Vic for me. Probably depends where your and your mates parents were from (NSW or VIC) and what are you grew up in and what the local shop called them.
Anyway if you can deal with satisfying your craving after work. I’d say head to port Melbourne or St Kilda beach. Still a couple of fish and chippieries around there.
I know them as potato cakes, but acknowledged the dialect thing.
Make sure you order 2 so they give you 3. Good fish and chip shops know this unwritten rule.
Can confirm. My local always gives me an extra and I always smile back at him. He is the highlight of my week. We are gonna get married someday.
In vic pretty much all potato cakes sold by fish and chip shops are potato scallops
Are they not the same thing?
I guess there are potato cakes which aren't the "dipped in batter and deep fried" kind. So scallops are a kind of potato cake, but not all potato cakes are scallops.
The days of the good old genuine potato scallops/cakes are long gone. In the "old days" the traditional Greek fish "n" chip shop would skin their own spuds, batter them up, and make a great potato scallop/cake.
These days the Chinese have over-run the fast food market (nothing to do with it being a cash business of course!!!!) and they buy everything pre-packed and prepared. The chips and scallops come from McCain's and all they do is throw them into the deep fryer.
You can buy the frozen potato scallops at most supermarkets.
We have a New Zealand one in East Melbourne called Kiwi Fish and Chips. Really excellent fish chips and potato cakes.
Whereabouts?
@Baysew: It is at the back of a bunch of flats converted from an old factory. Best to access from Albert St and watch the parking restriction if driving.
If this is a genuine NZ fish and chippery, I'll definitely be heading there.
nah. some 'Chinese' joints as you put it still make their own.
Thanks for the feedback; I'll be trying out a few options.
Worst case scenario Woolworths or Coles should still sell them… but it feels weird not buying them from the local fish and chips shop.
Lets just all agree that victorians call things dumb names that nobody else in the world would, like calling their middies, "pots" or calling their city melbourne (instead of the way awesomer batmanland)
It was Batmania, briefly.
Take a walk over to West Melbourne - around Roden St where taxi drivers hang around