So a left-handed ‘roo and a right handed moose walk into a bar…
It sounds like a joke, but it turns out they fall in love, get married, and open a fusion restaurant in Apple Tree Creek, just 5km north of Childers. It’s not as strange as it seems for Aussie Alana and Canadian Mike Vandenbrink to end up there – it’s actually just around the corner from Alana’s childhood home.
Mollydookers is a fitting name. Slang for left-handers like Alana, as well as a nod to Molly’s; one of the bars the pair worked at during the eight years Alana lived in Canada. When they moved to Australia, the couple designed Mollydookers to be everything they missed from the True White North.
“Mollydookers balances country charm with city standards and presents a menu you can’t find anywhere else in Australia,”
Alana said.
“It’s about friendly table service and good, honest food, with Canadian beer, whisky, cocktails, wings, Rubens and poutine with real curd.”
The café is cosy with nods to Canada throughout, like ice hockey on the televisions and a shot ski behind the bar. There’s Canadian number plates and pictures on the walls of travels afar, locals long gone and quirky sayings to amuse.
If you want the truly authentic Canadian experience, make sure to ask Mike a question. Any question will do, but make sure you have enough time for his long, long, Canadian answer.
Go eat!
MOLLYDOOKERS CAFÉ & BAR 29399 Bruce Highway, Apple Tree Creek 07 4126 1114 www.mollydookerscafe.com