Beast Food Review – Jed’s Food Store

By Rhys Kane on December 8, 2011 in Food

Photo: Grant Brooks

Writing food reviews normally means heading off to the newest openings, so when I was asked to review the breakfast offerings at established local institution Jed’s Food Store in Bondi, I was faced with a rather different task.

A cafe favourite for many in the area, Jed’s is an eclectic place. It has long been a meeting place for glitterati, the boho set, locals and families alike. Jed’s is a little bit alternative itself. Everything they do has a funky twist, which makes it more interesting to visit than the average generic cafe, and its quirkiness sits comfortably in Bondi.

Located at Seven Ways (on the corner of Glenayr and Warners Avenues), Jed’s inhabits an old corner butcher’s shop. The clever design makes for a cosy and intimate experience, with vibrant red and handmade wooden finishes, communal tables, succulents in old tomato tins and Buena Vista beats. A political message is conveyed subtly via humorous communist propaganda images hung throughout, while the beautiful vintage surfboards that adorn the walls remind us what this area is all about.

Jed’s cleverly combines a deli counter takeaway approach with a conventional fresh food kitchen. For breakfast, they boast easily the best muesli bowl in town. Just ask for the 50/50 with everything and you’ll get a bowl full of crunchy granola, creamy bircher, deliciously tart rhubarb, poached fruit, braised pear and vanilla bean yoghurt. It’s so good. The Acai Bowl is great value too, and the Jamaican Porridge with grilled spiced banana, brown sugar and lime will drive your taste buds crazy in Caribbean kind of way. The display counter also features fresh deli sandwiches, wraps, pies, curries and a few vegetarian options.

From the kitchen, all the classics are there but often with the Jed’s creative twist. Try the Zapatista Eggs (chiapas scramble and corn tortilla with pickled cactus, white corn, coriander, avocado, cheese and green salsa) or the Eggs Kurowasa (nori seaweed scramble with teriyaki tofu, red quinoa and wild rice, avocado and wasabi). The intriguing combinations aren’t just there to be wacky, they are done with subtlety and finesse and the outcome is delicious.

The coffee at Jed’s comes from a beautiful espresso machine that qualifies as a piece of art in its own right. The bean of choice is a ‘sustainability’ fair-trade Toby’s Estate, which will appeal to the socially conscious caffeine addict. For the adventurous, why not try the LSD, a latte with soy and dandelion root brew. There are also fresh juices, smoothies, shakes and a scrumptious Punjabi chai, and a notice in the window displays an application for a liquor license, so watch this space.

Jed’s is packed on the weekends so don’t be surprised if the best you can get is an upturned milk-crate under the gum tree out the front. Take what you can though as they are always super busy.

Here in the Eastern Beaches, we are lucky to have so many funky independent shops and cafes to chose from, and Jed’s is up there with the best. It’s definitely a local hero.

Jed’s Food Store

Address: 60 Warners Ave, Bondi
Phone: (02) 9365 0022
Seats: 45
Open: Mon-Sat, 6am-4pm; Sun 7am-4pm
Price: Breakfast and lunch, $4.90-$17.50
Cards: Cash only
Licensed/BYO: BYO only (license pending)