Scott's Diner - Glenfield

Old-school milk bars and classic diners are becoming a rare sight in this country, as Australian society shifts towards trendy eateries and Instagram-worthy experiences. Unfortunately, the humble milk bar has been relegated to the past. However, tucked away in Glenfield, you'll discover a straightforward milk bar that serves up traditional burgers and delicious deep-fried treats. There's a saying that the simplest things in life are often the best, and Scott’s Diner exemplifies this with its no-frills, Aussie-style burgers. A double burger here hits the spot in a way that no fast-food chain or gourmet burger joint can match. The meat patties are fresh and grilled right before your eyes—juicy, tender, and utterly satisfying.

This is where Scott's Takeaway comes into play, a charming little spot tucked away in the back of Glenfield. Scott's Takeaway is one of the few remaining places that offers that old-school milk bar experience. While they don’t sell milkshakes, they focus on classic fare: burgers, fish and chips, Chico rolls, ice cream—the essentials. There’s a vintage claw machine out front, and aside from a refrigerator for drinks, it’s all very straightforward. No frills, just good food at reasonable prices, and it’s conveniently located for me! I've visited a couple of times to grab burgers and chips for a quick lunch with my partner’s family. Just last week, I stopped by again before work, and I can’t express how much I appreciate the simplicity of the place. I believe the owner is named Scott, as he’s the one running the grill and fryer behind the counter. I ordered the beef burger while my partner chose the chicken burger (both with chips), and we also picked up some fish cocktails and potato scallops for her mother. Keep in mind, these fish cocktails aren’t fresh fillets from a market; they’re the classic kind that sit in the window until cooked. But who cares? They’re old-school, and when they’re cooked right, they taste fantastic! We picked up all this for under $25, which is an incredible value. On that particular Monday, we were the only customers, and our meals were made right in front of us. After about ten minutes of waiting near the claw machine—fully aware that we'd probably lose our money trying to win those bouncy balls featuring rugby league clubs—our meals were handed to us, hot and greasy. The only thing that would have made it better is if they wrapped the food in classic butcher paper. Once home, we enjoyed what was a delightful and humble lunch. My beef burger was straightforward: a thin but well-seasoned patty on a sesame seed bun, topped with caramelized beetroot, crisp iceberg lettuce, and barbecue sauce. No bells and whistles—just a solid burger. Aside from the slightly overcrowded toppings, it hit the spot like David Warner hitting a six. The thick-cut fries were perfectly cooked—crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside. None of that gimmicky fare that so many chains are pushing these days. While I do enjoy a good gourmet burger now and then, nothing quite satisfies like this classic offering: perfect size, perfect ingredients. The only thing missing was an ice-cold beer. My partner loved her chicken burger, a well-prepared fillet with lettuce and mayo, and her mother savored the scallops and fish cocktails, happily finishing everything off. It brings back memories of how our parents reminisced about those classic milk bars. I was fortunate enough to grow up near one, but I can't say I remember frequenting them much. Sadly, there aren’t many left, especially in the suburbs, as they’ve been replaced by McDonald’s, KFC, Hungry Jacks, and other well-known American chains that lack the charm of those old-school diners. Scott's could be one of the last standing. It’s simple, it’s unpretentious, and I love it. Now that I’m not too far away, I can see myself returning to Scott’s for a cheeky beef burger, regularly feeding my paycheck to that pesky claw machine. In the end, I’d choose to support a local small business like Scott’s over an American franchise any day of the week, and twice on Sundays!

Scott's Takeaway feels like a throwback to the traditional milk bar. Although it doesn't serve milkshakes, it offers a handful of burger options, fish and chips, Chiko rolls, and ice cream. There’s a claw machine out front—besides that, it’s a no-frills place with just a drinks fridge. It's straightforward, affordable, and a fantastic find just up the street from me! I've visited several times, often grabbing burgers and chips for a quick, easy lunch with the family. Last week, I stopped in again before work, and I love the simplicity of the place. The owner, presumably named Scott, is always behind the counter cooking. I ordered a beef burger while my partner opted for the chicken burger (both came with chips), and we also got some fish cocktails and potato scallops for her mother. Now, these fish cocktails aren't freshly caught or filleted that day; they're the classic pre-battered kind that sits in the display until cooked. But who cares? They’re a nostalgic treat, and when cooked well, they're absolutely delicious! We picked everything up for under $25, which is incredible value. Since we were the only customers on a Monday, our meals were prepared right in front of us. After about ten minutes of waiting, we happily dropped nearly $10 into the claw machine, knowing that luck was probably not on our side in trying to snag those little rubber balls featuring Rugby League logos. Soon after, we received our hot, greasy meals, and the only thing that could've made it better would’ve been wrapping them in old-school butcher paper. At home, we settled in for what was a simply wonderful lunch. My beef burger was delightfully uncomplicated—a thin, well-seasoned patty on a sesame seed bun, topped with caramelized onions, chopped iceberg lettuce, and barbecue sauce. It was as basic as a burger can get, yet it hit the spot like a perfect cricket shot. The thick-cut fries were beautifully cooked, crispy on the outside and soft inside—not a hint of those flimsy shoestring fries that so many now serve. While I appreciate a fancy burger from time to time, I don’t think any of them could satisfy 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, made with a pre-breaded chicken fillet, lettuce, and mayo. Her mum loved the scallops and fish cocktails, even finishing them all off with some finger-licking satisfaction. It brings back memories of when parents would reminisce about the good old days of the local milk bar. Growing up, I was fortunate to have a milk bar in my neighborhood, although I don't recall them serving food. Sadly, these establishments are dwindling, replaced by fast-food giants like McDonald's and KFC, which offer the charm of a three-day-old roadkill. Scott’s Takeaway might be one of the last of its kind. It's basic, it’s honest, and I absolutely love it. Now that I live just a short drive away, I foresee many visits for a cheeky beef burger, along with splurging my paycheck at that claw machine. I'd much rather support a local small business than an American franchise any day of the week!