The old drive through Fernvale...
Nothing but cherished memories of my youth back in the 90s, driving west outta the big smoke to stay at my nan's farm on the outskirts of Esk during school holidays. Some of the best times of my life.
Driving to Esk meant passing through Fernvale. Passing through Fernvale meant pies. Pies meant dad's car get converted into the big red crumb mobile. The pies were good back then. They're great now.
The range of pies on offer is intimidating. Not content to call it a day with a curry steak/steak and cheese/chicken and mushroom pie on the menu, the Fernvale Bakery serves up all the old favorites and some uncommon combos, plus a slew of off the wall selections like camel & yowie pies. Yeah, no joke.
As much as I'd love to spin a yarn about chowin' on a yowie, I've never been able to go past my regular Steak, Cheese and Garlic pie. I want to stress that you can actually taste the garlic. Crazy, huh? Too many times I've sat down with my pie at other bakeries after spending a good long while deciding on just the right concoction of mystery meat, gravy, along with a star ingredient that justifies a seperate mention on the menu, like mushies, bacon or cracked pepper, only to struggle to detect a smidge of said star ingredient. If they say it's in a Fernvale pie, you can rest assured you'll taste it. Doesn't hurt that the pastry is just right, too. Perfect middle ground of golden crunch, but not overly dry or floury like some pies can end up.
The pies at the Old Fernvale Bakery are an easy 5 stars in my book. For reference, they beat out Beefy's and perhaps the most renowned pie dispensary in south east Queensland, Yatala Pies. Yatala was great once upon a time, but consistency issues have plagued them for years now. Beefy's vary store to store, and can be anywhere from poor to above average in my experience, but Fernvale has never done wrong by me and my pie hungry clan.
The Fernvale pie is a square parcel of golden comfort that warms the heart. But if you ain't the poetic sort, it's a bloody fine excuse to rest your go-pedal leg. There's a park across the street if you don't wanna sit outside the store or head next door to their cafe.
Nowadays, I take my partner to Fernvale on Sunday drives every so often. They're number one in her books now too and she chose a trip to Yatala Pies as her 18th birthday present years ago. Says it all, doesn't it?
We love nothing more than plonking down across the street in the shade. Just a couple of drinks, a couple of pies and once those little paper bags open, a ceasefire on the chit chat. Save for a few satisfied grunts. Maybe one of us will mutter "Yatala's got nothing on these babies!" or "Ya got room for one more, love?".
Oh. They do sweets, too. Might have to give 'em a whirl some day. read more