Jerry’s Milk Bar

Do you remember when you were little and $1 was a big deal? And do you remember how you’d take that dollar and run to the milk bar to buy wizz fizz, monaco bars or potato cakes, and how happy you were?

Well, heritage-listed Jerry’s Milk Bar has been standing in its corner, making children happy for over four decades.

Jerry’s is now a cafe, but kids are still very welcome at this Elwood institution, where they can run around the playground in the sizeable courtyard.

Owner Andrew Harris was insistent that Jerry’s remain as close to its original fit-out as possible, so the original 60s signage remains, while red vinyl seats, mirrored walls and wooden trays deck the interior.

In keeping with the theme, home made slices and muffins are displayed in the glass cabinet, while milkshakes come in almost every flavour you can think of.

The old world charm is even carried through to the serving staff, who are some of the most amenable I’ve encountered.

The menu places an emphasis on breakfast, with classic offerings such as Feta and Spinach Scrambled Eggs ($12/$9), cinnamon porridge ($11/$8) and banana bread ($4).

Our team of five went for a good mix of traditional and less-traditional options: Jerry’s Hot Pot of chorizo, cannelloni beans, coriander cassoulet, feta cheese and poached eggs served in a claypot ($16) was mopped up with the Turkish bread from an Eggs Florentine ($13).

The Savoury French Toast made with cornbread in a Moroccan-spiced egg wash, pan fried and served with smoked salmon and dill oil ($13) was swapped around with the Eggs Benedict ($14/$10). I decided to go out on a limb with the Canadian Breakfast of fried eggs and bacon on 2 pancakes with a side of maple syrup ($14). The risk paid off, the enormous dish arrived perfectly cooked.

When our bellies were full, we headed off into the Melbourne sunshine via the best way to exit a homely courtyard – the side gate, sent off with cheery farewells from the staff and that warm fuzzy feeling you got when you stepped out of the milk bar when you were little, armed with a 20 cent chocolate.

Jerry’s Milk Bar
345 Barkly Street, Elwood
9531 3078
Monday to Saturday 6.30am to 5.00pm
Sunday 7.30am to 5.00pm