Pub of the Week: Wayside Inn, South Melbourne

446 City Rd, South Melbourne
Ph: 9699 4130
www.waysideinn.com.au
When?: 16 February 2024

Summary:
Long time stayer on the inner south pub scene of Melbourne, The Wayside Inn (TWI) has worn many guises over the journey from ‘go to’ venue (say 25 years ago) for a Sunday Session and enjoy the music of Big Bobby Valentine or Captain Spalding, to high end food destination when in the hands of Sean Donovan.

In 2024, TWI is a good solid pub that does well priced food and can trade until 3am midweek, or 5am weekends. There is nothing overly complex with their pub grub.

Greeted by a semi circular bar on entering from City Rd., the main area for socializing is neat, spacious and modern, (sharp brickwork, a feature), with two main dining areas at right angles to the bar.

There is a great looking beer garden (not in use this day due to high temperatures?) and with Taylor Swift greeting us (Our Song), serenading us through the meals (Never getting back together, Shake it
off, Style) and farewelling us (Trouble), any lapses in conversation were supplanted by joining in the catchy choruses.

The pub does generous $25 plates during the week, burgers, ribs etc. And $10 pints of Carlton D (good), Furphy, Stone/Wood, Great Northern. The wine list covers a couple of choices in popular varietals, with a trailblazer of years past, Leasingham Riesling (Bin 7) chosen at $14/gl.

Pokies: No.
TAB: No.

Some dishes tried were;

•  Texas BBQ Burger. Big Wagyu beef pattie, double melted cheese, smoked bacon,
  grilled and marinated pineapple, lettuce, tomato, fermented red cabbage, chipotle
  mayo and house-made BBQ. $29. Lot going on, all working together, most pleasant pub
  burger,
•  Mexican sandwich. Marinated grilled chicken, avocado, pickled red onions, mesclun,
  tomato and chipotle mayo. $27. Generous in every sense of the word, tasty, and with
  the whack of chips coming with it, a share of a beverage would absolutely satisfy.

The Wayside Inn ticks over safely.
SCORE: 13