Last Friday I went to the Spanish Garden at the Brecky Creek Pub for a family birthday celebration. While the rest of the pub has been re-vamped, the Spanish Gardens remains pretty much exactly as it must have looked when the then owners returned from a trip to Spain in the late 60s inspired to create a Mexican restaurant. Apparently, 1968 Brisbane residents didn’t catch on to the idea of tacos and beans so BBQs were installed the following year and in 1969 you could get a steak, baked potato, coleslaw, tomato and a bread roll for $1.50!
The prices sure have changed but the Brecky Creek still serves up the best steak in Brisbane. I had the petite eye fillet medium and Shane the Wagyu rump rare, both were cooked to perfection and served with chips and salad. Not too expensive either, at $25.50 and $31.00 respectively. So, the steaks were good but then we already knew that going in, so what about the rest of the dining experience?
The service was great – quick, friendly, efficient and the staff stayed to sing Happy Birthday to our birthday boys when they served the cake. The surroundings are very much of the family restaurant ilk, with plastic chairs, no tablecloths and kitchy Spanish décor. It’s busy and noisy which is perfect for large parties or family outings but I’d avoid it if you’re after an intimate dining experience.
There were a few things that niggled. My sister in law ordered a side salad and was bought out a large plate with salad on one corner so it was obviously just the plates they set up to have the steak and chips added. Would it have been that much trouble to put it in a bowl or something? Also, when the birthday cake was served we were given real plates and plastic tea spoons and the ice cream that came with the kids meal was served in a tiny cardboard cup. I did say they were niggly things but since the place obviously does well judging by how packed it was, I can’t see why real cutlery can’t be used.
The Spanish Garden is only one of the venue options at the pub so I think the next time I’ll check out one of those where the food and service will be as good but hopefully the cutlery won’t be plastic.
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That’s hilarious. I can’t wait for the time we have the right to sit back all grumpy and say, I remember when you could get a decent steak for only $30.00 And they gave you free water.
So the decor is still the same – this sounds like a great place to go.