Posted on October 31, 2012 by Burleigh Tourism
From humble beginnings five years ago, the Red Frog Cafe in Burleigh Heads has taken out the Best Breakfast Restaurant on the Gold Coast at the Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering HOSTPLUS Awards for Excellence, Queensland. And it’s just around the corner from your Burleigh Heads accommodation!
All restaurants and cafes were reviewed anonymously so joint owner and qualified chef, Stacey Warrick, was more than a little surprised to discover they had won the award but extremely proud.
Stacey and Jai Warrick receive their award
“I contribute our win to an amazing team effort, really good staff and just the consistency of our food and product. We use local produce that is always fresh and only the best. Plus my husband, Jai, in the kitchen is a very stable influence.
“It’s also thanks to the locals who have come in and supported us from day one. They’ve helped us shape our menu, the ingredients we use, to their needs and what they’re interested in, so we’ve kind of evolved together.
“For example, everyone loves our chilli scrambled eggs, they’re really popular. We start off having new ideas and recipes as specials, put them up on the blackboard, and as they become popular we add them to our menu. People really like the real quirky stuff, such as our Moroccan eggs, they just love it!”
Chilli scrambled eggs
The Red Frog was opened to fill a niche as an all-day breakfast which has grown into one of the Gold Coast’s culinary treasures serving fresh and nutritious breakfast, lunch and snacks everyday from 7am – 3pm. With a vision to create a ‘home away from home’ for customers, the Red Frog is popular with locals and holidaymakers alike.
The regulars may live around the corner or even miles away in Mount Tambourine, Brisbane or interstate as word-of-mouth has also attracted fans to the café.
“Our number one lesson has been that it’s not about what we want but rather what our customers want to eat. I had another anonymous review done two years ago by Melanie Pilling of the Bulletin and found that people were coming from Mt Tambourine, Brisbane and even Forster because of the review.
“Over the years we’ve also gathered a Melbourne following and whenever they are on holiday in Burleigh they always come. Sometimes a customer will be here from Melbourne and say ‘our friends told us to come.’ It’s very gratifying.
“It could have been difficult because our location is not James Street, but we have a regular and loyal tourist trade as we are close to all Burleigh Heads accommodation. Once they find us, they always come back.
In the future, Stacey hopes to move into evenings, functions and maybe Christmas, birthday or staff parties. She’s particularly enamoured with the idea of a girls Princess High Tea.
If you’re keen to know why The Red Frog Cafe serves the best breakfast on the Coast, pop in and bask in the friendly service and warm decor. I’m sure it won’t take you long to understand why this award was so well deserved!
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The Red Frog Cafe
Corner Gold Coast Highway & First Avenue, Burleigh Heads close to all Burleigh Heads accommodation
Every day 7am – 3pm
Chef’s Favourite
Smashed avocado, crispy bacon, two poach eggs and our hollandaise on light ciabatta toast
Chili Scrambled Eggs
Fresh red chili and basil through ribbons of scrambled egg, finished with crumbled goat fetta and avocado on light ciabatta toast. (Author’s note – the combination of these ingredients with the hint of chilli create a dish singularly unique and quite exquisite. Well worth a try – 5 stars!)
Just ask the friendly reception staff at your Burleigh Heads accommodation for directions.
You’ll be oh so glad you did!!
