KatsuCo Toowong
A widely beloved katsu specialist is making moves in Brisbane’s western suburbs. KatsuCo, which has already established a foothold in Brisbane’s food scene (and our hearts) with locations in Sherwood and North Lakes (as well as a Gold Coast location in Southport), is set to open its fourth outpost on Friday August 18. Owner and chef Louis Seo has snagged a plum 170-sqm space at the base of the Jephson Hotel in Toowong, a mere stone’s throw from Toowong Village. The specialty here is katsu, but not just any kind of katsu. Louis and his team makes the dish with French cooking techniques and ingredients – an approach that elevates the crispy and golden panko-crumbed morsels to its premium pinnacle. Louis will be shaking up the formula with his Toowong location. For the first time, KatsuCo will offer breakfast. Expect to see the likes of katsu sandos and omurice (accompanied by katsu, of course) on the morning menu alongside cups of specialty coffee. The lunch and dinner menu will feature all of the usual KatsuCo faves, including the signature tomahawk katsu and cheese katsu sets, as well an assortment of donburi and noodle dishes. If you’re in the neighbourhood on opening day, be sure to pop in – KatsuCo will be giving out free coffee. Stay tuned for more info on this one next month.
Pepe’s Mexican
Dining institutions don’t get more beloved than Pepe’s Mexican. The long-running family-owned eatery, which first launched in 1972, has become a household name for many foodies, with locations in Newmarket, Jindalee and Coorparoo regularly packed with those seeking a fix of authentic Mexican flavours. Bayside burrito lovers will be thrilled to hear that the Pepe’s family is expanding their way, with a new location set to open on Bay Terrace in Wynnum in mid-August. Diners can expect Pepe’s full menu of hearty eats, starting with faves like corn chips with chilli con queso dip, sizzling fajitas and enticing enchiladas, signatures like slow-cooked pulled-pork cochinita pibil, seafood burritos and waffle tacos filled with Oreo-cookie gelato. Pepe’s Bayside will officially open to the public on Saturday August 12, with a live mariachi band bringing the energy.
Milksha Sunnybank
Taiwan-born bubble-tea dispenser Milksha is also boosting its presence in Brisbane next month. The beloved beverage maker, which opened its first Brisbane location on Albert Street in The City last year, is expanding to Sunnybank. The new drink dispensary will open on Friday August 18, with hordes of bubble tea lovers expected to flock for a taste of Milksha’s customisable menu, which boasts a variety of flavours, toppings, ice and sugar levels to choose from. If you count yourself as a Milksha fanatic, make sure you’re first in line when the shop opens, as the first 100 customers to buy a bubble tea will score a free pudding oolong latte.
Motto Motto Gasworks
Gasworks Plaza continues to bolster its array of dining options, with premium-casual Japanese concept Motto Motto now operating at the Newstead hub. To celebrate the location’s launch, the Motto Motto team will be serving steaming bowls of its signature ramen for just $1 on Saturday July 29. The first 406 guests to arrive from 11:00 am will be able to nab a bargain bowl, which comes filled with Motto Motto’s signature tonkotsu broth, shoyu kaeshi, freshly made noodles, marinated free-range soft-boiled egg, fresh shallots and seaweed. That’s not all – those that become a MyMotto member (and select Gasworks as their location of choice) will go in the draw to win a years’ supply of free ramen!
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