Back
Since the late 1930s, nothing has pleased Australians quite like the meat pies at Harry's Cafe de Wheels. Residents have been frequenting the caravan cafe for years, and locum tenens who are visiting the friendly country on assignment can add the iconic institution to their list of must-try activities before venturing back to their home land.
Founder Harry Edwards opened the restaurant at the brink of World War II near the front gates of the Woolloomooloo naval dockyard. He served his "pies 'n' peas" and crumbed sausages to sailors, soldiers, cabbies and other locals who began to hear the buzz about his cuisine. After serving in the Australian Imperial Force and returning home in 1945, Edwards decided to reopen the caravan facility to provide locals with a good late-night snack, something that was not very prevalent in the country at the time.
Since its historical beginnings, the cafe has received accolades from the National Trust of Australia, recognizing it in 2004 as one of the "components of the natural or the cultural environment of Australia, that have aesthetic, historical, architectural, archaeological, scientific or social significance…for future generations, as well as for the present community."
The pie cart offers signature items at its original location and six other spots around Australia. Some must try savory dishes on the menu include beef, cheese and bacon pies, Harry's "tiger" pies and seafood pies.