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1007 Sturt St, Ballarat
Being Mother’s Day today, I took a quick trip up to see my parents, in Ballarat.
I was a bit late leaving, so it was lunchtime when I arrived. I was hungry. I had a craving. Poonie’s Takeaway! I thought.
I’m not sure of their opening hours, but they never seem to be closed.
I entered, and a little bell tinkled above the door. The layout is typical of a mik bar / mixed business. Counters laden with various lollies, freezers with ice-creams, and fridges with milk and soft drinks. Phillip appeared, and paused for a second while he remembered my name - I guess it’s been 6 months since I was last in.
If Phillip doesn’t know your name, he’ll most likely refer to you as “Boss!” in his usual friendly manner.
I ordered my usual - 3 Fried Dim Sims ($1.00 ea) and a small Combination Fried Rice ($5.80).
They also have spring rolls, and a new addition - sweet and sour chicken. The spring rolls are large enough to be a meal by themselves, not those pencil thin things served as entrees. I haven’t tried the Sweet n Sour yet.
Phillip relayed the order to Mary (who does the cooking), and then we had a chat while we waited.
Soon after my order appeared, all cooked fresh (not par-cooked and reheated), wrapped up ready for me to take-away. I added some soy sauce, and bid them farewell, until next time.
Fried Dim Sims
These guys are home-made. None of those Marathon Mystery Bags you normally get from the supermarket freezer or local fish’n'chip shop.
Slightly darker than normal dim sims, the skins have a delicate crispness. They house a filling that is tasty, but not dry. And it doesn’t leave a bad aftertaste in your mouth.
Small Combination Fried Rice
Many take-aways (and restaurants) throw a bit of egg, a few peas and some diced ham into some rice, and call it Fried Rice. I beg to differ - this, is the real deal.
BBQ Pork, Prawns, Shallots, Omelette, Peas, Ham, Bean Shoots, and a bunch of other things that make it taste yum. Also, it doesn’t contain carrot. Carrots have no place in real fried rice. 
For as many years as i’ve had this fried rice, I still haven’t worked out what makes it so full of flavour - and i’ve had many failed attempts at trying to recreate it at home.
If you’re passing through Ballarat, I highly recommend you drop in and grab something, for a snack or a meal. Well worth it.
