One of the hardest things of adjusting to our new life up here was finding all our new places to eat, visit and buy food from. I know it’s not a big deal, but life’s too short for bad food. It’s also an exciting thing about living in a new place, happening across new places. I thought I’d start sharing places that I love, in case anyone else moves to the North Coast / Gold Coast and wants to find themselves some places to visit and good food to eat.
Each Saturday I go to the Grower’s Market to grab supplies for the family. I’ll share more about that another day, but one of my every week rituals is picking up a truckload of strawberries. Lacey and Luella are crazy about them, and I won’t lie, I am too. Hubby thinks they’re too seedy {is that a thing}.
While I was buying strawberries one Saturday, a woman pulled me aside to let me in on a big secret, “You should try Monty’s”. I’d never heard of them. “Where?” I asked.
She told me that it wasn’t a place, but a guy that moved around. Sometimes you could find him in Byron, sometimes in Mullumbimby, and sometimes at Murwillumbah.
The thought sounded nice, but I like to be able to get my strawberries when I want them and not have to find some dude traveling the country-side selling strawberries where he pleases. A few weekends later someone else told me that I needed to try Monty’s and I took it as some kind of sign. But still how would I find the dude with the goods?
It was Hubby who found him, by the side of the road one afternoon. He bought some strawberries and brought them home, along with a small tub of chocolate dipping sauce.
Even strawberry-hater Hubby tried one, and was converted. Apparently they’re less seedy. I now know why people were trying to convert me at the markets; BEST STRAWBERRIES EVER. And I’ve tasted a few.
A week later I found him myself, and shopped up a strawberry storm. You can grab half a kilo for $7 or a whole kilo for $12. I asked how we could find him regularly and he promised that he’s at the Grower’s Market {the road side area} on Tweed Valley Way near Tumbulgum {on the river} every Saturday.
Meet Monty, eating a sandwich NOT strawberries.
He also does smoothies, fruit ice blocks and ice creams, among other things. As I bought some strawberries, I noticed some jam for sale on the table with ‘Dave’s Jam’ written over the top. “So you’re Monty and you do the strawberries and Dave does the jam?” Yes, I ask stupid conversations but people like to talk about their things and I want them to talk about them.
He pointed to his top. On one side he had a name tag with Monty, and another with David. “I’m David AND Monty,” he said proudly. And he should be proud because that jam was so good I told the family to forget about me for dinner that night cos I was getting cosy with jam on toast like it was nobody’s business.
I thought that might be the last I saw of him, the disappearing strawberry man. But thankfully I went back the next Saturday {if only to test him!} and he was there. I tried a Mango frozen delight and it delighted.
You have to try the delish ice cream in the cafe section at tropical fruit world….you select which fruits you add in and they whiz it up for you on the spot….not the cheapest but oh, so good! I always start with acocado, banana and then either mango or passion fruit or something else exotic, depending on my tastes that day!!! X
Dang, I have bought those strawberry icy poles from their stand at Bangalow so many times for my girls cause we love strawberries. Usually when it’s hot… so I’ve never taken notice of the actually strawberries! Thanks for waving a red (strawberry) flag and bringing this to my attention. When your down this way again, make sure you try the sushi at Federal (Doma cafe). The best and you can eat in the ‘garden’ while the girls can run around the grassed area. Usually a muso playing on a Saturday. A nice relaxed lunch with children is a novelty!
How amazing is the sushi place! We ate in the little treehouse/ hut thing. Loved it!
I grew up in Lismore, but have been in Brisbane for 20+ years. My brother and his family live in Murwillumbah – my sis-in-law has a little business where she sells pre-prepared rice mixes on the local market scene, so she’s sure to know lots of great local food spots, I’ll ask her. I’m not sure if Mavis’ Kitchen is still in Uki, but that’s a great little spot for lunch – they get all their veggies and herbs from their own garden. And my sis-in-law’s sister ( … as in, her sis is married to my other brother) lives in Kingscliff too – they’re recently -ish moved up from Melbourne – but they’re both originally from Lismore too. I’ll ask the family connections and let you know of anything particularly awesome! Cat
Mavis’ Kitchen is still there are still a great place to eat / visit / check out veggie patches. It’s on the Mt Warning Road, before Uki, if you are coming from Murwillumbah.
Was he playing guitar? That’s his thing as well. Musical fruit. He’s often strumming along when we find him!
I didn’t know about Monty but will stalk him next time I’m down! Our fave new breaky place is Caribou at the Tugun strip of shops on Golden Four Drive. They do this breakfast salad that I’m obsessed with! Sounds revolting but I promise it’s not! And they do the BEST fancy raisin toast too!
Rose Castle Resort. Good for EVERYTHING.
“life’s too short for bad food” – I knew I loved this blog for a reason!! ; )
I must check this out as I’m always very disappointed with strawberries I buy! Just back from overseas, so sorry I haven’t been around the traps for awhile. I hope you’re fabulous lovely xx
My sister lives in Lennox, so i have some places for you! The sushi place in Federal is SO epic. On Friday Hut Road there is a Dahlia farm and you can buy HUGE buckets of them for 10 dollars. Also Liliana’s in Possum Creek- make sure you go to the loo! xx
Sadly Lilianas has closed, was a great place!!
But yes to Monty’s strawberries, we freeze our leftovers (if there is any!!) and use them in smoothies!!
And if u do get to Byron/bangalow farmers markets, the blueberries! We buy them bucket load and freeze them all, kids eat them cold(they defrost quick in summer!) and always good to the teething lil guy of mine!
Amazing. I’m so jealous. It reminds of Street Pineapple in Thailand. Every where you go there’s little carts full of ice and the they’ll cut you up an icy cold pineapple and give to you in a bag with a stick for like 30 cents. I ate so much pineapple in Thailand.
made me smile, I grew strawberries in hanging baskets this summer, my husband wouldn’t touch them… said they were too seedy! 🙂
Love Monty’s – two bakers in Mudgeeraba, best cupcakes . . . . In the world. Ever.
Totalky digging teavine in tallebudgeera as well!
I didn’t even know there was a market on Sat morning at Tumby. Let alone one that sold less seedy strawberries. I’m only 15 mins from there. My new coffee place is Roadhouse in Byron. They do some double pour thing apparently and boy is it smooth.
You must try out Re Café Nate along Byangum Road in Murwillumbah, seriously the best little coffee shop in town. Awesome breakfasts on the weekend (open from 7am til 12 and til 4 on weekdays) and the atmosphere is superb. Josh and Deslie are great hosts and the coffee is just the best
Oh montys! My fave! My partner works in murbah but won’t stop for me anymore ;(