Laurie's Vegetarian

I am writing to complain about the food sold at Laurie's. On Saturday my friend bought some burgers from the restaurant. I had eaten half of one when I noticed something moving on the side of my plate. It turned out to be an inch long slug which had probably come out of the lettuce. I was understandably totally disgusted, particularly since I am a vegetarian. I threw out the rest of the burger. I don't intend to buy anything from this restaurant again since the attention to hygiene seems to be quite low. If the lettuce had been carefully cleaned no slug would've been left in it.

Ok so it may not look like much compared to some of its cooler-than-cool neighbours on Bondi road, but Laurie's is a local institution, and has been serving up its unpretentious, wholesome food and attitude for years. The menu doesn't change much (which I, for one, think is a really good thing), and includes simply named stuff like chickpea curry, lasagne, lentil casserole and Mexican beans, but they are all so much better and more interesting than they sound. Home-style vego cooking at its best. The burger is pretty awesome too, and you can design your own from a choice of patties and sauces. I often get one of the salads to takeaway, which are good to take to work for lunch, and you can get any combination of about five or six for really cheap. There are always people coming and going getting takeaway, but eating in is really relaxed and chilled out too, and Lauries feels as cosy and welcoming as a friendly, cheap local should.

Despite the many eateries around the Bondi area, it is hard to find something for dinner that is cheap and healthy. Lauries Vegetarian on Bondi Rd is certainly the answer and has satisfied my taste buds after many a crisis on what to eat when there is nothing in the fridge! A small, conservative eat in or take away caf, you can choose from a range of ready made organic vegetarian meals or combos. I highly recommend the Lasagne, combined with Chickpeas and Lentils. For something a little more savoury, there is a Tofu burger on offer which is a much healthier option than a Big Mac. I should also disclose that I am very far from a Vegetarian and that the caf will suit all taste buds. A takeaway meal which wont leave you hungry is served up in a plastic container for about $8 and if you want to dine in on the benches amongst local adds on the walls for rooms to rent and personal trainers you can add $1 and a choice of a free glass of water.

When it comes to quick, cheap, healthy takeaway in Sydney, I could probably count on one hand the options available. Luckily for Bondi locals, Lauries probably tops the list. Simple, hearty, fresh food is the name of the game in this charming eatery on Bondi Road. Whether you eat your lasagne and roast veggies at one of the few seats inside, or take it away and dine on the grass at South Bondi, the food always tastes good. The menu doesnt change, but it doesnt need to. The lentil hotpot is my personal favourite, but I generally get a mix of about three or four hot dishes and let them mix up in my bowl, so by the end its looking like a vegetable mush.

Ordinarily Id turn my nose up at vegetarian for dinner, but the food here will never leave you unsatisfied. Its the closest thing Ive found to home-cooked food since I moved out of home. And just between you and me, I dont even think mums lasagne compares.

I am by no means a vegetarian and on appearances i would have walked past Lauries, but on the advice of a friend i thought i would give it a go and was pleasantly surprised at how cheap and delicious the food was.

The food is by no means gourmet and it is very much a basic takeaway establishment but the staff are friendly and the dishes filling and freshly prepared. It is the sort of place i would go on a lazy Sunday to pick up something fast and relatively healthy after a weekend of indulgence.

It is at the tail end of busy Bondi road, so parking can be a nightmare, but slip down one of the side streets and you should have no troubles (if you dont mind a little walk).

I recommend the lentil curry, doesnt sound overly appealing but its super filling and really yummy!