Rob’s British Butchers – Dandenong
You could spend hours in here just taking in all of the British decor. I barely got past the 1999 Gillingham shirt hanging from the ceiling.
With all of the locations, places and establishments that BRITlist has visited, none are quite as British as Rob’s British Butchers in Dandenong. In fact, none will have been around as long as this butchery/shop/café hybrid.
In their 33rd year of existence on Lonsdale Street in Dandenong, Rob’s British Butchers has become one of Melbourne’s main hubs for Brits in Melbourne seeking those home comforts. After less than a minute in the shop I became engaged in conversation with a wonderful British couple (Jeffrey and Claire Evans) originally from West Yorkshire. It just so happened that Jeffrey and I shared a passion for Motown and soul music, so he now has another confirmed listener for his show on Casey Radio (97.7 FM). However, I digress…
The man, the myth, the legend! Rob with his now signature pose - minus the hands full of sausages.
Many of you reading this will already know of Rob and his establishment in Dandenong. After all, he’s become quite the social media star in recent times. Rob’s natural and authentic charm has done wonder in promoting his business beyond just the eastern suburbs. And to think that Rob was on the verge of closing his business after only three years in.
“It was a slow start” Rob explains. “After the first three years we were $60k in debt and three months in arrears with our rent” he continues. “If that happened nowadays we’d be gone, as you’re dealing with a computer at the bank rather than a person. Luckily for us, we were dealing with people who stuck by us. 33 years later and we’re still with the same people”.
I can attest that these are indeed as good as the look. Pies, pasties, pork pies, sausage rolls, scotch eggs and sherpherds pies.
Maybe Rob was indeed lucky, but also lucky were the British ex-pats in Melbourne too. Where else can you homemade pies, pasties and scotch eggs…haggis, black pudding, and sausage rolls...and British bacon, sausages and shepherd’s pie?
In recent years Rob has diversified with the introduction of his now famous British breakfast rolls (and plated breakfasts also) on Saturday mornings. And let’s not forget Jill’s cups of tea - with free refills.
Basically what would be on my shelves if I had to lock away in a nuclear bunker.
“What’s for dinner, Daddy?”
“Lion Bars in custard with a side of Tango”.
At one time, Rob would regularly here how business was one of Melbourne’s ‘best kept secrets’ – despite him never wanting to be a secret! Those days are firmly in the rear-view mirror thanks to the quality of produce on offer, amazing community, truly effective social media and the fact Rob’s British Butchers now sponsors the annual ‘Melbourne Highland Games’.
All of the usual suspects are available in the shelf section of Rob’s British Butchers. Just call me the ‘Milk Tray Dan’.
If you’ve not already visited, make sure you get down to Dandenong and drop into Rob’s for a visit. I guarantee you’ll be back – as I will be after sampling the best scotch egg I’ve had in Australia.
Rob’s British Butchers, 177 Lonsdale Street, Dandneong, VIC 3175.