‘Voted Best Burgers on the Fleurieu’ is the sign that greets you as you pull up to the Finniss General Store, set back from the twisting and turning road, in the shade of a huge pine tree. This is a venue I’ve been wanting to try for a while, it has a great reputation and every time I’ve passed by, there is always a busy car park, a sure sign to me that a place is worth visiting.

It was only early in the morning so as tempting as the burgers sounded, we opted for bacon and egg rolls and large coffees. Judging by our meals, if the rest of the menu lives up to this quality, I believe their claim to fame. You can dine inside, which is much bigger than it appears from the corrugated iron clad exterior of the building, or sit outdoors in the large covered al fresco area.

It looks like all weather contingencies are prepared for with ceiling fans, outdoor blinds and a pot belly stove in the outdoor dining area. There is also playground equipment and a lawn area to keep the kids occupied, and dogs are welcome too with plenty of water bowls around and even treats available to buy for them too.

The General Store was once a post office but today it runs as a café, a general store selling local jams, condiments, olive oil and more from the Fleurieu Peninsula and it also has a separate fodder store. The usual opening hours 7 days a week, are from 9am to 4pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, until 5pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays and until 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sunday is a very popular day with many day trippers making it a road trip destination and it’s open from 8.30 to 5pm to cater for that busy day. From 5pm on Fridays they also have a special ‘schnitzel night’ and they are licenced to sell beer, wines and ciders too.

Table for three please

The breakfast menu has a range that is hard enough to choose from and the menu for lunch and dinner has good standard food choices like fish and chips, schnitzels and bangers and mash but also has special dishes like warm salads, those ‘best’ burgers, (including vegetarian options), a range of pizzas and some pies which sound good enough to go back for any day.

Finniss is between the towns of Strathalbyn and Goolwa in South Australia, around 75 kilometres from Adelaide and the General Store is worth making a special trip to visit. Look for signs from the main Alexandrina Road and when you see the old bright red telephone box and a busy car park, you’ve found it!

Cheers

Glenys