2025 Pyney’s 🥧 Reviews
Review No 35
Sam’s Bakehouse Cafe
(Wadalba NSW)
April 2025
With Brown Sugar Bakery ticked off the list it was time to jump in the car and make the short trip over to the nearby town of Wadalba. I was enroute to meet Sam from Sam’s Bakehouse Cafe but there was a little twist. Sam was actually away attending a conference, so instead of Sam I caught up with the real star of the show his partner Maggie.
Sam’s Bakehouse Cafe is located on Edward Stinson Ave in Wadalba and is open 7 days a week. Sam originally a crane driver and Maggie was a full time dance mum/HR consultant. After years on the hamster wheel, the two decided it was time for a sea change and that eventually led them to opening of this place 12 years ago.
From the moment you walk in, the bakery embodies a sincere family atmosphere. Their products and flavors proudly reflect their Lebanese roots. I was completely astonished, how busy this place can get and also the incredibly small workspace the team have. You could literally swing a cat in the work area, but it works and the team pump out some serious numbers.
Speaking of numbers, the cabinet display was exceptional, the 🥧 warmer was choc a block and I was ready for me to smash a few 🥧’s.
As expected the menu presented an impressive selection. Following a week of non stop brisket 🥧’s, I sought a change of pace. Upon reviewing the board, I identified a chunky steak and dianne as the 🥧 I wished to review. OMG this thing smelt amazing and couldn’t wait to get started.
🥧 THE REVIEW 🥧
1. Value for Money – Considering its weight of 260 grams and a decent depth and diameter, the price of $7.30 for this 🥧 is very reasonable. Furthermore, the price is extremely comparable to other products I’ve reviewed with the same flavor and weight. 8.5/10
2. Meat/Fill Ratio – Full, Full, Full. This was a easy score to adjudicate. 10/10
3. Flavour – I was completely blown away by the intense flavor of this 🥧. The substantial meat chucks were remarkably tender, and the Dianne sauce was exceptionally good. The presence of onion and garlic elevated the flavor to whole new heights. I’m a massive fan of the Dianne sauce and the team have done a great job with his flavour, loved it. 10/10
4. Pastry – Several aspects of this pastry needed a tweak, but the overall standard of this pastry was very good. While the color and stability were excellent, noticeable pastry shrinkage and a slightly irregular shape were evident in the pics. The pastry flavor was very good, and both the top and bottom bake thicknesses were spot on. Both bakes needed a brief additional time in the oven, but this was a minor issue. Overall, the quality of this pastry was more than acceptable. 7.5/10
5. Serving Temperature – Perfect serving temp 10/10
Overall Rating
🥧🥧 46/50 🥧🥧
This chucky steak and Dianne 🥧 was up there with one of the best I’ve had. I absolutely loved that Dianne sauce, It doesn’t get much better than this. The meat was cooked perfectly and tasted fantastic. The price point of $7.30 is more than fair, the 🥧 was totally full, and the pastry wasn’t far away. This was such a pleasant change to the brisket 🥧’s I had all week. If you love you a steak and Dianne 🥧, your going to enjoy this product.
Here’s another bakery to add to your ever increasing list. Even if your not staying in Wadalba, this bakery is still worth taking the drive and checking out. Your going to have a tough decision deciding what award winning 🥧 your going to try.
A very special thank you to Maggie and her incredible team for having me in showing me around their incredible bakery. It was a shame I didn’t get to meet Sam, but as I said earlier Maggie is the real star in place and It was great to sit down and chew the fat. Sam and Maggie work their butts off and have done so much for this industry. All the best guys and no doubt I will be seeing you at the various trade shows later in the year.
As always thanks for the ongoing support and keep supporting 🇦🇺 bakeries and don’t forget to invite all your friends to the page.
