Smashed Gero (on toast): AJ’s Beach Cafe review

Deck the halls with boughs of chaos — that should have been the soundtrack to my trip to AJ’s Beach Cafe with my boyfriend, my visiting aunty, uncle and two pre-teen cousins from Perth — not to mention my overwhelmed kelpie. The menu, layout and location of AJ’s all make for a very family-friendly venue. One of my cousins spent half the visit running the dog up and down the foreshore, and my other cousin raved about the decadent chocolate-coated waffle sticks. “I rate these two-billion out of 10,” Ashton Favazzo, 10, said. Despite the inherent madness our pack brought to the usually serene coastal landscape, the staff were notably smiley and bubbly. They actually seemed genuinely happy to be at work the week before Christmas. I worked in the service industry for a very long time, and know that’s no small feat for management to pull off. The cafe has a kitchen smaller than some food trucks, so it would be unfair to compare AJ’s menu offerings to culinary heavyweights such as Flow Vitality and Salt Dish. What they do serve is fun, which makes them stand out from the pack. Owner Alex Stellmach is originally from Germany, and everything on the menu takes inspiration from his homeland. Waffles, bratwurst, curry sauce and pastry are all filling and indulgent crowd favourites, perfect for leaving brekky-lovers in happy carb-comas along Midalia Beach. We ordered an iced coffee and a soy cappuccino. Their coffee is what I’ve come to realise is standard for Geraldton’s brekky scene — well-made, delicious, and easy to drink. As I’ve said about a few of our cafes, it’s worth ordering a double shot if you like your coffee strong. I ordered the cafe’s special — a feta and spinach filo pastry with garlic sauce. There isn’t a hearty German vegetarian option on the regular menu, but I was overjoyed to be eating pastry instead of salad. The pastry was light and flaky and the filling was warm and packed with flavour. My boyfriend ordered the bratwurst with onion, sauerkraut and homemade curry sauce. Apparently, it tasted German. “I feel like I ate the exact same thing when I was there,” he said. The curry sauce was creamy and had a nice hit of spice. It had me a little jealous. I’ll certainly be circling back for some of AJ’s sauce on hot chips. Then there were the waffle sticks, which came in six sweet flavours. While I wasn’t in the mood, the two pre-teen boys at the table were revved up for a sugar rush. It goes without saying, AJ’s is well-placed. It is right along an immaculate part of Geraldton’s coastline and near to a very cool playground I wish I was young enough to enjoy. There’s limited seating, but most meals could be eaten while sitting cross-legged on a the grass. I’d recommend bringing a picnic rug if visiting during peak time and bringing the whole pack along. On top of all that, the venue’s simple wooden design lets the phenomenal natural landscape take centre stage. All the chain cafes littered along WA’s coast line should take note. AJ’s Beach Cafe is the newest addition to Geraldton’s cafe line-up and is already putting on a great casual breakfast. I can’t wait to see how the menu changes as the business matures. AJ’s Beach Cafe 55 Stella Maris Drive Dietary requirements:Oat, soy, lactose-free, almond. Some gluten-free menu options. Coffee: Delicious medium roast. Order a double shot if you like your coffee strong. Price: $40 for two people