We're not here to make lifestyle judgements, believe me, but if you happen to eat at Deli Dakota after a big night and order the Breakfast Burger, you'll soon be wondering what the heck happened to your hangover. This chunky thing is a proper burger: a toasted milk bun piled with bacon, thick fried egg, melted cheese, caramelised onions and barbecue sauce, with a little aioli for good measure – but the masterstroke is the addition of a cheeky hash brown. It might not be health food, but it's hard not to admire the sheer craft that has gone into it. Goodbye, existential angst! Your single origin flat white on the side might even have a cute seahorse crafted into the crema just to soothe your soul that little bit more.
Deli Dakota is the brainchild of Jordan Ionvetti, whose nearby café the Gift Shop closed in 2022 much to the disappointment of fans of his famously spectacular Golden Eggs dish. The new place takes a minimalist approach. It's a "coffee and sandwiches" café with the styling of a chic burger franchise but the loving care and customer service of a beloved neighbourhood hangout. It occupies a modest cluster of shops in a quiet suburban street a couple of blocks from the Mount Gravatt TAFE (another hip café, Badminton Brew, occupies the same strip).
So let's talk about those sandwiches. Made to order after 8.30am, they include deep fried chicken on a ciabatta roll, a barbecue brisket Reuben on dark malted barley bread, and (for the fancier folk among us) a Moreton Bay po' boy that comes with mango and sriracha on a milk baguette. As much thought has gone into to the carbs as the proteins here, and all are top shelf. All-day toasties on sourdough include Forest Mushrooms with white truffle oil (oh my) and 'Ham from the Heavens' using smoked free-range ham and three-cheese (Cheddar, swiss and parmesan) bechamel. Becha-more, s'il vous plaît.
Hot and cold coffees include matcha, turmeric and chai, and you can expect tasty extras in the shakes (such as Oreo crumbs and bits of Crunchie bar). Locals who can't quite believe their luck occupy banquettes in the light-and-airy interior and the several tables outside, and the place is equally popular for quick takeaways. We love Deli Dakota with a passion, and the fact it's so tucked away only adds to its chilled-out charms.