Mt Helena Tavern & Restaurant

The worst thing about this place? They are changing ownership. So I discovered as I was delving into my giant bowl of soup and garlic bread beside the fire on a cool July afternoon.
This place is everything that the fancy shiny bars in the city aren’t. It has old carpet, an open fire, lots of decorations, an open fire outdoors for any smokers and a gorgeous smell of turf fires [I probably imagined the turf bit].
The food is great, home cooked and MASSIVE. My other half ordered the lamb shanks and got 2 massive shanks with all the trimmings.
Not a place to hit on a diet but it definitely hit the right spot after a long walk on the heritage trail.
Oh and did I mention $ 6 pints?

I may have found the Perth benchmark for my quest … to find the best steak sanga and beer combo…
As soon as I spied the multiple taps over the bar I knew there was hope. and spotting the Thomas Coopers Celebration Ale on tap made my heart flutter a little as it was one I’d earmarked but never tried…
A Unilocal search for a place to have lunch on a sunny Sat arvo pointed me here so thanks again for Unilocaling me find good value eateries fellow Unilocalsters.
No dilly dallying over the menu straight to the steak sanga to share with the beloved.
Wandering around beer in hand we were spoiled for choice on seating; upstairs has covered verandah, inside dining room, Sun filled covered balcony, downstairs in the garden more choice of tables in tent or tables in full sun or shade…
The few kids that were there had plenty of room to run around without being underfoot or annoying.
Out door «slab» tables could be a bit lopsided but part of the charm of a pub that is 100+ yo.
Buzzer went off in an acceptable time frame and I was greeted with a feast easily enough for two.
Fresh cibbata roll, acres of lettuce, tasty cheese, tomato, grilled onion, bacon and a decent slab of steak just on medium but not chewy or tough.
Beer battered chips — delightful!
Plenty of complimentary condiments but the aioli on the bun was just right.
The beloved had a 5^th Leg SSB and I indulged in the Celebration Ale both rounding out the meal nicely… had I not been riding I would have easily had another and enjoyed the relaxing ambience in the hills. Will definitely add this to the list of good value places worth riding to for a beer and a feed.
Cheers
Coxy