YOCAL CAFÉ, Fremantle
by JENNY D’ANGER:
Social media has given new cafe Yocal a healthy heads-up.
The Collie Street eatery opened just before Christmas, fulfilling a long-held dream of owner Leah Trigwell.
Having worked in the industry for 15 years (including five at Gino’s and four at X-Wray), she had no trouble finding experienced staff keen to work for her.
Facebook ensured plenty of willing hands when it came to renovating the old building and when she blew her cash on equipment and renovations she turned to Pozible to crowd-fund the opening party.
Donations came flooding in, ensuring a good party—and a list of people who will be back to redeem their free coffees and, along the way no doubt become regulars.
“So many contributed which was fantastic,” Trigwell says.
Friends and I dropped in a couple of weeks ago and one had to swallow mutterings about “Freo’s latest hippy” cafe as he took in the funky decor, “hanging wall” gardens and a colourful graffiti mural facing the street.
After just one mouthful of his moroccan chicken with braised chickpeas and mint yoghurt ($18) he was won over.
“I provide good coffee without the sting.”
A shared side order of goat’s haloumi ($4.5) quickly disappeared, the squeaky cheese the best I’ve had, with a fresh, seared taste.
After checking the “bloody” of the bloody beetroot burger ($15) was for bloody beaut and not meat, I happily tucked in.
The fresh beet, brown rice and chickpea patty was superb, moist and full of flavour, while the tasty bun was lightly toasted for a perfect crunch.
The steak burger also got a guernsey for price ($15), taste and tenderness: “Thankfully breaking with the tradition of saving leather-hard meat for sandwiches,” my mate said.
Its olive mayo was a highlight and the skin of accompanying hand-cut chips nicely crisped while still juicy inside, she added.
An order of barbecue pork ribs with coleslaw ($18) was also a well-priced star, the meat almost falling off the bone and the ‘slaw fresh and crisp with a liberal lacing of pinenuts.
We were too full for coffee but the owner was quick to point out she makes them herself, including vegan and gluten-free choices.
Once the dust settles there are plans for a sandwich counter, similar to the much-missed old Interfoods, “where people can order what they want in their sandwich and head to the park to enjoy—or take it back to work,” Trigwell says.
Keen to keep a lid on coffee prices, but not at the cost of quality, Trigwell tasted countless varieties to come up with the right blend that she sells for $3 a cup.
“I provide good coffee without the sting.”
Yocal Cafe
18 Collie St, Fremantle
Open 7 days from 6am for coffee, 7am for breakfast.
Kitchen closes 3pm, coffee and cake till 4pm.