The Potato Shed Smokehouse Opens in Newtown

The refurbished Newtown Junction is home to the new Potato Shed, which recently opened its doors. This smokehouse barbeque meets brewery occupies the incredible industrial space that was in fact a potato shed in 1910, home to the original railway sidings and fresh produce market. Owners Maira & John Koutsoudakis, the brains behind Life Grande Café, wanted to maintain the integrity of the space and have managed to bring it into the 21^st century with style and steampunk.

The space is big and full of textures; exposed industrial rafters, copper paneling and down-lighting, chesterfield leather couches, wooden crates and a mix of flooring. The room has atmosphere and offers seating both inside and out. There’s a small bar area too which I’m sure you’ll struggle to get a seat at soon.

These are some of the menu items with my name on them:

• Cornbread
• Coal-fired jalapeno poppers
• Pulled pork bunny chow
• Smashed potatoes with garlic and truffle oil horseradish
• Box salad (these come served in a wooden box)
• Beer butt chicken
• The red burger
• Firepit ribs with cola and pineapple basting
• Loukoumades (fried dumplings with honey and cinnamon)

The menu pays homage to the potato and serves it and its sister the sweet-potato in a variety of interesting ways. They had me at crispy fried potato skins. The meat dishes are mostly prepared with fire pits, pit smokers and wood fired ovens and I’m thrilled to see a variety of ribs on the menu. Vegetarians fear not, there’s a bunch on this menu that will satisfy you, too.

The bar serves Everson’s and Sxollie ciders which makes me happy as I’m a cider gal. All the usual suspects are on there, including a vast beer and craft beer menu. The Potato Shed offers a beer-tasting journey which includes a paddle of 4 draft beers.

Getting there is easy and I’ve included the address and directions below; parking is underground and secure too. But take Uber, you’ll want to settle in and enjoy all that this great new Newtown space has to offer.

You’re welcome.

Opening Hours:

• Monday: 12 – 4PM
• Tuesday: 12 – 10PM
• Wednesday: 12 – 10PM
• Thursday: 12 – 10PM
• Friday: 12 – 11PM
• Saturday: 11AM – 11PM
• Sunday: 11AM – 6PM

Address & Phone Number:

Newtown Junction, Corner Carr and Miriam Makeba

(Over Nelson Mandela bridge, right at the first robots, left at the second set and it’s on your right hand side – drive into Newtown Junction for secure underground parking)

010 590 6133

#ThePotatoShed