What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??....
Nov 23rd 2008, 7:01 am
#76
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
We haven't been here long enough to say this for sure but we're surprised at the lack of family-friendly chain restaurants. So far we've only found Sizzler and a smaller chain Lone Star Steakhouse. Seems like if you want to go eat out you have to settle for fast-food.
I know you can go to the Hotels but usually they're overful with people drinking their weekends away and aren't exactly inviting for a family with young kids. I miss places like Beefeater, or 2 for 1 - the restaurants that were usually attached to the big chain hotels like Holiday Inn and Premier Travel Inn. They were really good value, usually good food, quick service and catered for young kids.
We could be completely missing obvious places but it seems like hard work to get a nice sit-down meal with kids.
The upside is that we've never had so many picnics in our life - certainly saves us a few squid.
I know you can go to the Hotels but usually they're overful with people drinking their weekends away and aren't exactly inviting for a family with young kids. I miss places like Beefeater, or 2 for 1 - the restaurants that were usually attached to the big chain hotels like Holiday Inn and Premier Travel Inn. They were really good value, usually good food, quick service and catered for young kids.
We could be completely missing obvious places but it seems like hard work to get a nice sit-down meal with kids.
The upside is that we've never had so many picnics in our life - certainly saves us a few squid.
Nov 23rd 2008, 7:03 am
#77
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2004
Location: Birkdale QLD
Posts: 7,642
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
I mean is that not weird? And they're not exactly subtle, with descriptions like 'shaved, kissable and adventurous,'.
Why didn't they have these ads in the UK when I was 18
Oh thats right, I couldn't have afforded them then
JTL
(not that I pay for them now obviously)
Nov 23rd 2008, 8:04 am
#78
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2003
Location: Sydney beachside
Posts: 3,505
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
We haven't been here long enough to say this for sure but we're surprised at the lack of family-friendly chain restaurants. So far we've only found Sizzler and a smaller chain Lone Star Steakhouse. Seems like if you want to go eat out you have to settle for fast-food.
I know you can go to the Hotels but usually they're overful with people drinking their weekends away and aren't exactly inviting for a family with young kids. I miss places like Beefeater, or 2 for 1 - the restaurants that were usually attached to the big chain hotels like Holiday Inn and Premier Travel Inn. They were really good value, usually good food, quick service and catered for young kids.
We could be completely missing obvious places but it seems like hard work to get a nice sit-down meal with kids.
The upside is that we've never had so many picnics in our life - certainly saves us a few squid.
I know you can go to the Hotels but usually they're overful with people drinking their weekends away and aren't exactly inviting for a family with young kids. I miss places like Beefeater, or 2 for 1 - the restaurants that were usually attached to the big chain hotels like Holiday Inn and Premier Travel Inn. They were really good value, usually good food, quick service and catered for young kids.
We could be completely missing obvious places but it seems like hard work to get a nice sit-down meal with kids.
The upside is that we've never had so many picnics in our life - certainly saves us a few squid.
Nov 23rd 2008, 8:20 am
#79
Jelly-Belly, tbh
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: N.Brisbane, QLD
Posts: 630
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Yea, as much as it may make you cringe, it's actually chain-style places we're looking for. We've been to a few independant places and each time it has been a nightmare with long waits and no kid's menus. It's kind of put us off going to those types of places until the kids are a bit older and a bit more patient. 
We haven't been to a Hogs Breath yet, we'll give that a go. Thanks
We haven't been to a Hogs Breath yet, we'll give that a go. Thanks
Nov 23rd 2008, 8:31 am
#80
I'm now an Aussie too!!!
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Location: 'Home by the Sea' Elanora
Posts: 5,030
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
OMG!!! Could you imagine it!!!!! Is it just the way I worded the original thread, do you think Pen??!!
X Maternity clothes is definately not what Im after!!! I was trying to see what expats were surprised not to see here in Australia!!!
X
Nov 23rd 2008, 8:41 am
#81
Canuck/Aussie
Joined: May 2006
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 4,547
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Yea, as much as it may make you cringe, it's actually chain-style places we're looking for. We've been to a few independant places and each time it has been a nightmare with long waits and no kid's menus. It's kind of put us off going to those types of places until the kids are a bit older and a bit more patient.
We haven't been to a Hogs Breath yet, we'll give that a go. Thanks
We haven't been to a Hogs Breath yet, we'll give that a go. Thanks
Sizzler always works well for us because our youngest loves to get up and look around, and that works well there. Plus we can have food immediatley on the table for him. Plus my picky 4 year old can have all the strange things she likes.
Nov 23rd 2008, 9:23 am
#83
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 459
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
We LOVE hogs breath..great for kids as they get their own menu and the staff bring colouring stuff to the table. Oh yeah and for adults, THE NICEST steak I have ever tasted, huge, melt in the mouth and no fat.mmmm
Last edited by mooncat; Nov 23rd 2008 at 9:26 am.
Nov 24th 2008, 12:27 am
#84
Jan4kids
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: Hertfordshire - Adelaide - now Gold Coast.
Posts: 1,156
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Supermarkets don't do Sandwiches...
Its a weird thing to miss, but back in the UK I'd always pop down to Tescos or M&S to get really nice well made sandiwches for lunch.
Not here. Even in Brisbane CBD, you have to go to a frikkin coffee shop to get nice sandwiches,
Of course Petrol stations sell sandwiches, but they are like the ones your mum used to make in the 1970s with white bread and loads of butter.
There was one decent Sandwich shop on George street in Brisbane, it used to be called 'Grab and Go' and it was exactly what I wanted. Now its changed itself into yet another coffee shop, so I have to queue behind 5 people ordering the thick skinny latte tall moches with sprinkles, just to buy a sandwich.
JTL
Its a weird thing to miss, but back in the UK I'd always pop down to Tescos or M&S to get really nice well made sandiwches for lunch.
Not here. Even in Brisbane CBD, you have to go to a frikkin coffee shop to get nice sandwiches,
Of course Petrol stations sell sandwiches, but they are like the ones your mum used to make in the 1970s with white bread and loads of butter.
There was one decent Sandwich shop on George street in Brisbane, it used to be called 'Grab and Go' and it was exactly what I wanted. Now its changed itself into yet another coffee shop, so I have to queue behind 5 people ordering the thick skinny latte tall moches with sprinkles, just to buy a sandwich.
JTL
Jan
Nov 24th 2008, 12:40 am
#85
Jan4kids
Joined: Apr 2004
Location: Hertfordshire - Adelaide - now Gold Coast.
Posts: 1,156
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Just thought of another:
A service this time...... The Council doesn't cut the grass in front of your house, it is your responsibility. But they will come a chop down a tree free of charge if it's there (outside your front boundary)
Also we have an electricity pole in our front yard and it is our duty to care for it not energex.
Jan
A service this time...... The Council doesn't cut the grass in front of your house, it is your responsibility. But they will come a chop down a tree free of charge if it's there (outside your front boundary)
Also we have an electricity pole in our front yard and it is our duty to care for it not energex.
Jan
Nov 24th 2008, 12:43 am
#86
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 3,521
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Just thought of another:
A service this time...... The Council doesn't cut the grass in front of your house, it is your responsibility. But they will come a chop down a tree free of charge if it's there (outside your front boundary)
Also we have an electricity pole in our front yard and it is our duty to care for it not energex.
Jan
A service this time...... The Council doesn't cut the grass in front of your house, it is your responsibility. But they will come a chop down a tree free of charge if it's there (outside your front boundary)
Also we have an electricity pole in our front yard and it is our duty to care for it not energex.
Jan
Nov 24th 2008, 2:46 am
#87
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,672
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Petite clothing.
Limited stuff available and they only usually stock one of each size!
Being 5'1'' and a size 14(apparently the most popular size) I have to wait around to see if they have it available in another store or miss out.
I brought loads of gym clothing from M&S in their sale a few months ago, all petite and excellent quality, happy days
Jacqui
Limited stuff available and they only usually stock one of each size!
Being 5'1'' and a size 14(apparently the most popular size) I have to wait around to see if they have it available in another store or miss out.
I brought loads of gym clothing from M&S in their sale a few months ago, all petite and excellent quality, happy days
Jacqui
Nov 24th 2008, 6:43 am
#88
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Essex - Now on the Sunshine Coast
Posts: 212
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
Yea, as much as it may make you cringe, it's actually chain-style places we're looking for. We've been to a few independant places and each time it has been a nightmare with long waits and no kid's menus. It's kind of put us off going to those types of places until the kids are a bit older and a bit more patient.
We haven't been to a Hogs Breath yet, we'll give that a go. Thanks
We haven't been to a Hogs Breath yet, we'll give that a go. Thanks
Nov 24th 2008, 10:23 am
#89
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2005
Location: Mornington
Posts: 1,650
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
On a Sunday and Monday kids eat free in Hogs Breath.
If they ate enough would that last them all week
You might be able to tell that we don't have kids
If they ate enough would that last them all week
You might be able to tell that we don't have kids
Nov 24th 2008, 10:29 am
#90
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Essex - Now on the Sunshine Coast
Posts: 212
Re: What shops/services are you surprised Australia doesn't seem to have much of ??..
I wish that it would last them all week!