Get a sneak peek inside Bobby Dre’s on Pakington Street
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29.10.2020

Get a sneak peek inside Bobby Dre’s on Pakington Street

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The epic new Cali-Mex restaurant opens today.

Please give a warm welcome to Bobby Dre’s, the super fresh restaurant and bar that will blow your socks off.

Paying homage to the Cali/Mex dining scene with a taco and burger-heavy presence, the venue officially opens its doors today, kicking off a whole weekend of celebrations – with giveaways, vouchers, discount deals, a lucky dip for kids and happy hour drinks all weekend.

Can we get a “hell yeah”?

Bobby Dre’s was originally formed to bring Melbourne a Mexican and burger fusion, inspired by owner Luis Olivia’s Mexican and Californian family heritage. Growing up eating his mother’s authentic tacos (with handmade tortillas) and with strong ties to his families’ restaurants in California, Luis has always wanted to give Melburnians authentic style tacos like his mum’s – the kind he couldn’t find anywhere else. Teaming up with co-owner Helen Witton, Bobby Dre’s was born and opened in North Melbourne last year.

Closing in July this year due to the coronavirus restrictions, the venue has decided to pack up and move to regional Victoria with a brand-new home on Pakington Street in Geelong. Taking over the previous Picket Fence Café (or The Cottage for the older folk), you’ll find some of the tastiest tacos in the region, with tortillas made fresh using the best Mexican corn flour within a vibrant, homely space, filled with light and feature custom art from local Ocean Grove artist, Leah Jett.

The venue will also include an outdoor dining area with a playground, perfect for local families or tourists with kids travelling through the area.

Bobby Dre’s menu is chockers with contrasting dishes from both sides of the border that are guaranteed to give you food envy no matter what you order. If you’re feeling cheerful Mexican, the tacos come with pico de gallo, coriander, Mexican cheese and lime with your choice of Chipotle chicken, crispy chicken, chilli beef or halloumi. The Nachos and the chilli beef bowl also look pretty damn endearing for just $13.

If you’re feeling burgers, there’s a long list to choose from spanning beef, chicken and vegetarian. Keep it simple with the affectionately named Dr Dre (beef, lettuce, tomato, cheese, onion, tomato sauce), or step it up with the Baconator or the chilli dancer – both very self-explanatory.

If loaded chips are your jam, you’re going to love this place with their American loaded chips with mustard, tomato sauce, cheese, bacon and spring onions.

They also do desserts (hello waffle sticks and donut balls) and for those that love a cheeky meal deal, Taco Tuesday will see $4 tacos and happy hour drinks all night – and who doesn’t love that?! Oh and this venue will be getting churros on the menu, with a loaded special that has customisable topping each month.

Perhaps the best part of all is that it’s cheap and cheerful to boot. Most items are sitting around $12-13 and there’s nothing on the menu above $14.50, unless of course, you decide to add in a whole lot of extras.

As for the drinks, you’ll find a decent selection of beers, wine, cider, non-alcoholic drinks, hot drinks, and basic spirits on offer, alongside a couple of our favourite cocktails. We’re talking espresso martini, lime or strawberry margarita, Aperol Spritz or Chambord Bellini. There’s also mocktails, smoothies and milkshakes, literally catering to every taste.

In addition to their main menu with even more surprises, Bobby Dre’s also offers Mexican-style high tea, where savoury is favoured over sweets, and margaritas are the drink of choice. For a celebratory event that isn’t like your average British afternoon tea, or for those who want to taste-test everything on the menu, this experience offers a selection of burgers, tacos and a dessert of choice, created with special family recipes handed down to Witton from her burger-loving uncle.

We’ve got all the good feels about this one. Time to get excited, peeps!

The venue officially opens at 11:30am and bookings are a must to take part in the celebrations (COVID-style).

Bobby Dres is located at 359 Pakington Street, Newtown. Visit the website here.