Glenwood Takeaway - Glenfield

This is where Scott's Takeaway, a cozy little eatery tucked away in the back streets of Glenfield, shines. Scott's Takeaway is one of those rare gems embodying the 'old school' milk bar vibe. While it might not serve milkshakes, it excels as a takeaway spot with a few burger choices, fish and chips, Chiko rolls, and ice creams—that's pretty much it. There's a claw machine outside, and apart from a drinks fridge, that's all she wrote. It's straightforward, no-frills, affordable, and I’m thrilled to have it just a short walk from my place! I've been there several times, often grabbing burgers and fries with my partner's family for a quick, hassle-free lunch. Just last week, I stopped by for the same reason before heading to work, and it’s impossible not to appreciate the simplicity of the place. I'm guessing the owner is named Scott since he's the one behind the counter every time, managing the grill and fryer. I ordered a beef burger while my partner opted for the chicken burger (both with chips), and we also picked up some fish cocktails and potato scallops for her mum. Just a heads up: these fish cocktails and fish fillets aren’t fresh from the market that day! No, they’re the classic pre-battered selections that sit in the display until cooked, but who cares?! It’s nostalgia, and if cooked well, they taste absolutely delightful! We got all this for under $25, which is fantastic value. Being the only customers in the shop that Monday, our meals were prepared right in front of us, and after about 10 minutes, we couldn’t resist spending close to $10 on the claw machine—fully aware we’d probably lose trying to snag those little bouncy balls featuring Rugby League logos. Our meals were served to us hot and greasy, and the only thing that could have improved the experience would have been wrapping them in old-school butcher paper or newspaper. Once home, we dug into what was simply a great, modest meal. My beef burger was straightforward but satisfying—a thin, well-seasoned beef patty on a sesame seed bun, topped with caramelized onions, chopped iceberg lettuce, and barbecue sauce. It was about as no-frills as a burger can get. Aside from the beef patty being slightly overcooked, it was just what I needed, hitting the spot like a perfectly executed six from David Warner. The thick-cut fries were cooked beautifully, consistently crunchy on the outside while soft and moist on the inside. None of that shoelace fry nonsense that so many places serve these days. While I enjoy a fancy burger or something from Bar Luca now and then, I doubt any of those could have satisfied me quite like this one did. Perfect size, perfect ingredients. The only thing missing was an ice-cold beer. My partner enjoyed her chicken burger—a pre-crumbed chicken fillet with lettuce and mayo—while her mum savored the scallops and fish cocktails, even finishing them off with a bit of finger-licking goodness despite not being very hungry. Remember how your parents would reminisce about the good old days of the milk bar? Growing up, I was lucky to have one in my neighborhood, though I can't recall them serving food. Unfortunately, there aren’t many left, especially in suburban areas; they've been replaced by McDonald's, KFC, Hungry Jack’s, and other infamous American fast-food chains that have all the charm of a week-old roadkill. Scott's might just be one of the last remaining spots of its kind. It’s basic, it’s no-frills, and I absolutely love it. Now that I live just a short drive away, I can see myself heading to Scott's for a cheeky beef burger and spending half my paycheck on that claw machine regularly. I’d rather support a local small business owner than an American franchise any day of the week that ends in 'Y'—and definitely twice on Sundays!