Considered by many of its regular patrons to be Taipei's only genuine "greasy spoon," the G'day Cafe has been serving up some of the largest portions of genuine diner-style chow since proprietor and Orchid Island native Barbara Chiang
The G'day Cafe's comfortable dining environment is sparsely decorated. Apart from a couple of photograph montages of customers and several arty mock-ups of traditional Orchid Island fishing boats, there's little for diners to ogle at, which probably explains why the shelves loaded with daily newspapers, comic books and gossip magazines are in such a constant state of disarray.
PHOTO: GAVIN PHIPPS, TAIPEI TIMES
What the G'day Cafe lacks in pretence and decor, however, it more than makes up for it with its food and laid-back attitude.
Unlike many of the city's eating establishments, G'day Cafe operates in a semi-self-service manner, which means diners are spared the ever-too-common problem of an over or under (as is more often the case) zealous waiting staff. Diners are pretty much on their own the moment they walk into G'day Cafe, with soft drinks, including tea and coffee, all self-service and a menu on which patrons simply put a tick beside the meal and hand it to one of the ever-friendly kitchen staff.
It is the hearty breakfasts which have become the joint's trademark dishes. For the mildly hungry, the G'day Cafe's eggs, sausage, bacon and toast (NT$180) should prove adequate, while for those looking to set themselves up for a long day should dig into the ham, bacon and mushroom omelet (NT$180). Diners looking for a mammoth breakfast feast should find the steak, eggs, hash browns and toast (NT$230) combo more than adequate. Additional sustenance such as extra eggs, bacon, toast and hash browns are available and a price range of NT$40 to NT$80.
According to Chiang, some of the joint's other popular dishes, while too numerous to list in full, include the mighty jumbo cheeseburger (NT$170), chimichanga (NT$140), beef enchiladas (NT$230) and the pastrami sub-sandwich (NT$220). Along with the extensive menu, G'day Cafe also offers diners the choice of a daily special lunch which ranges from dishes such as chicken Kiev with mashed potato to macaroni.
While there are only three deserts listed on the menu -- apple pie, blueberry cheesecake and brownie, all of which cost NT$90 -- diners who still find room enough for desert should inquire about other possibilities, such as the apple and berry pie which are not listed on the menu.
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