A city slicker like me looked at this place from the outside and thinks "hang on, am I in the right…read moreplace?" But I persevered, wondering if the simplistic looking cafe set overlooking a car park and hosting canteen style menu board of sandwiches aimed to fool the hipsters of Parkside into thinking they should move on an eat at other hard wood floored establishments on the main road. I was right. It's the essence of things, it's the friendly country service (even though you're 20 mins from the city), it's...Mabo. Hearty soups and huge baguettes caught my eye on a cold winter's day in Stirling. My seasonal veggie soup came out with crusty bread and steaming hot. All I wanted to do for 15 minutes was eat that bloody soup but I had to wait for it to be less than burning. That soup-er temptress was worth the wait as she was peppery and full flavoured and very filling. I'm currently planning my return for a less heated affair and one of their big brekkies. Soon my pretty....

I've been wanting to review this place for ages, but I had to try every baguette first…read more (and the burrito) (and the New York Rueben) There are 15 different baguette options on the menu, not including variations. It's a tad overwhelming but I prefer this to the chain sandwich store, production-line style of ordering. Also, The Essence baguettes are well over a foot long with heaps of filling all the way to the end. No need for a tape measure. The staff are really friendly, and it seems genuine. Even when they aren't having the best day, the inner awesome shines through. Given the success of the place in it's hidden location, it would seem the fickle people of Stirling agree. The baguettes. They're just that good. All the ingredients look, taste and smell super fresh. I haven't been able to decide on a favourite, but all that come with pancetta are droolworthy. Crispy salty awesome with fresh herbs, it sounds simple but it's done so well. The chicken ceasar is really good too, as are the turkey cranberry and the chicken avocado. The philly cheese steak owns my stomach, so filling, so good. The smell alone makes my mouth water. When I tried The salami baguette I had my standards set pretty low (I'm not a mad salami fan) but upon recommendation I had it toasted. To say I was impressed is an understatement. Possibly the best cheese toastie I've ever had. There are two vegetarian baguette options on the menu, both are really good quality full of roast vegetable and herb deliciousness. I haven't looked for a vegan option, but I'm sure these friendly folks won't bight your head off if you ask nicely. They also do good coffee, and like most places in Stirling these days they do breakfast. Unfortunately I'm yet to have the Essence Breakfast experience but it's certainly on my to do list.

Great new spot for comfort food in the market…read more Make sure you look for it in the Market Arcade and not in the Central Market (which I did for 15 minutes...) Once I did find it I was welcomed by friendly staff. Basic toasties at $7.50 and more adventurous toasties are $9.50, each with about 2 or 3 different ingredients. Looks like each toastie takes max 5 minutes to make and if you dine in, it comes with a little salad too. I tried the Tandoori Chicken toastie on recommendation from the staff and was not disappointed. Coffee was pretty good too. Great for a quick lunch if you're in the area, don't forget to leave a note on the blackboard too!

Toasties... Mmmmm. What can possibly go wrong?…read more The newly opened Tohsti is already getting a bit of a buzz and was featured in CityMag awhile ago. It's conveniently located in the newly revamped (check out all the new stores!) Central Market arcade, best located near the entrance coming in from Gouger St. The 'gourmet' toasties start form $9.50, they also do house shakes etc and a whole slew of other brilliant creations. If sweet toasties are you thing, they do that too! I got the roast pork, sauerkraut and cheese toastie with pumpkin bread which was pretty damn good. It comes with a salad as well which makes the meal perfect! I also go the Agro milkshake - give them a go! Protip: Come before or after lunchtime, it gets pretty busy and service can be lacking a bit.

This little gem of a cafe has been a game changing brunch/lunch location for Jetty Road, Glenelg…read more It is run by the nicest couple who make sure the regulars are looked after. Their coffees are spot on and always served with a smile and a cute little cookie on the side. However, what I love most is their seasonal menu. It has your typical brunch-y staples like smashed avo etc, but their sandwiches change with the weather. Winter had the amazing French Dip, which had me coming back pretty much weekly, and summer currently has the jam-packed Rueben. Most menu items are served with a handful of crisps on the side and they are more than happy for you to take-away what you can't manage to polish off for later. The only downside to this place is that they aren't open on Monday's, so I need to get my sandwich fix somewhere else

I work nearby and usually get my lunch here, but have had to look elsewhere due to disappointing…read moreservice on the last few occasions. My most recent experience...... Being made to wait for almost 20 minutes only to be told they couldn't make my order because they ran out after they said they could make it was frustrating to say the least. My lunchbreak does not last all day. When I politely asked for a refund after telling them I did not want to order something else from their menu (because I now did not have time to wait again), the girl who served me rolled her eyes at me and proceeded to give me the incorrect amount. When I told her she gave me the wrong money she snatched it out of my hand and gave me the right money and gave me a blunt apology for the whole experience. While the food is usually pretty good here (although I do not get why potato crisps are used as a side dish instead of hot chips or a side salad), the service from some of the younger staff needs polishing.

A nice little cafe near Coles supermarket. Tucked away in the corner, it is easy to miss this…read morelittle gem however ducking in for one of their sandwiches or coffees after doing a big shop can be quite rewarding. Staff are friendly always with a smile on their face and it doesn't take them long to put together a hot chocolate or coffee. The coffee and drinks are pretty standard. The hot chocolate is made with the usual cocoa powder. The food is a real winner though. Although a tad pricey, the prices are still pretty fair for coffee shops anyway. They have a breakfast and lunch menu. Sandwiches (toasted or fresh) both taste great and they do really good cake slices too. I haven't tried their breakfast however apparently they serve until midday each day.

Located next to Coles in McLaren Vale is this little hidden Gem. First time here trying an awesome…read morescoopon deal $19 for 2ppl breakfast or lunch with large coffee. Such friendly greeting from Jade behind the counter. Great menu selection for both breakfast and lunch. Many favourites from light meals to a more fuller option. We had eggs Benedict and eggs florentine with extra mushrooms on the side. Wow... we were not disappointed. I tend to judge a place by certain breakfast menu items.... You all must do yourself a favour and check this place out. Also good for coffee n cake before or after shopping.

Oh yeah, this is one f*cking awesome food truck!…read more Today I sampled both the southern-style chicken and slaw bun with pickles, onion rings and ranch, as well as the Texas pulled pork and slaw bun with BBQ corn and BB pickles. (both $9) In a word? YUM-AZING. To top it off, they have *cherry* Dr. Pepper in the fridge. These guys literally cannot get any damn better! The truck shows up in various spots around the CBD for lunchtime, so check their FB page for where they're going to be on a given day. They usually announce it the night before, along with the menu items they'll be serving.

American Diner Food on the road. Need a good serve of…read moreAmerican Diner food? Well this Van is the one for you. The Van may be small but the flavours are not. There's usually only 2 or 3 choices served each time the Van is on the road. You get to choose from some of the following tasty treats: Toasted Rueben, Texas Pulled Pork Roll, Pastrami on Rye, Cajun Prawn Po Boy, Beef Debris Po Boy, Philly Cheese Steak, Southern Fried Chicken Bun or even a Salad and of course the always present Deep Fried Pickles The home made Slaw is an excellent add on the great tasting meats used and even a BBQ Corn Cob that comes with the Pulled Pork Roll adds an extra something. The flavours are just great and at a decent price. To top it all off the owner/staff in the Van are great, going out of their way to remember their regulars. a real nice touch.

You are always greeted with a smile when you arrive here the staff are almost always friendly but…read morethe you always get a good amount of ingredients on your sandwiches here

This is pretty much one of those takeaway places where you would generally come for your morning…read morecoffee, particularly if you really aren't all that keen with actually drinking coffee that one tends to have at work. Well, the coffee wasn't really all the great, but it is certainly much better than some places that I have visited. However, it is also takeaway, which does make it a little annoying if you want to sit down and drink it before you go to work.

Nice little place to grab a toastie or sandwich. The ladies working were lovely but busy. Breakfast…read moreburger was tasty. Gets quite busy at lunch time where they don't serve the big breakfast due to the lunch rush.

Always fresh and friendly…read more This place has a huge selection of wraps. Focaccia, sandwiches, etc.., and hot meals. The choice is almost endless and made fresh on the spot. The staff are friendly and always welcoming. Can get very busy around usual lunch time but there is always plenty of staff on to handle the orders. We often order work lunches from here and they always deliver on time and the food is always good. Quick and tasty!

When I was seconded to the City office for a few months, it was my best experience ever. Why? I've…read morealways been jealous of people who have so much choice for lunch. For those of us not working in the City, and for those around of us unlucky enough to be at this end of Greenhill Road, there is Eat. A small family run cafe. The large blue board has a wide range of sandwiches and wraps, hot snacks, roast dinners and pastas, and everything can be just as you want it. Eat in or takeaway, they don't mind. The staff are friendly, and efficient. The food itself is made fresh and of a good value. The queues speak volumes on how popular this place is, even though there are other sandwich shops in the vicinity. Go there often enough, and they will even learn your name and remember what your regular orders are. If we aren't at a pub on a Friday lunchtime, we will most likely be here tucking in to their 'Hamburger with the lot, chips on the side'. For all other times, Hot roast beef baguette or Salmon and avocado wrap!

Huge portions, you get your mineys worth and shoooo tasty. Really lovely staff great atmosphere,…read moredefinitely worth visiting and trying their menu.

Very good food, I got recommended this place by my friend and it is the best thing I've ever tried.read more