Sandwiched between a gym and a blinds shop, you’d be forgiven for thinking Factory Cafe Bar produced clothes or electronics as opposed to coffee and homemade lasagne. But place one foot inside and you’re met with a sea of colour. There’s everything from antique weighing scales to old-school American and Australian paraphernalia.
Factory is a family-run joint with a mother and son duo often seen manning the front of house. The menu represents their Italian heritage including “Nonna’s Lasagne” and ricotta pancakes. Feeling the fusion of the Italian recipes and retro American interiors, we opt for a pork sausage focaccia and vanilla shake. Not before long the chime of a kitchen bell slices through the sound of 60s music in the air and a waiter appears through the swinging saloon doors.
In contrast to the deli-style sandwiches you see all over Melbourne (often excessively filled with bland cold cuts, blander cheese and just about held together by baking paper), Factory is proof that less is more. The rich, punchy pork sausage is delicious enough on its own but throw in a couple of chilli peppers and a handful of rocket and the sandwich really sings.
As our handwritten bill is totalled using a calculator, a young boy charges into the café straight into the elderly owner’s arms. That’s just how it feels to come to Factory Cafe Bar, welcomed with open arms at 453 Victoria Street, Brunswick West.
This article was written, edited, and published on the stolen lands of the Wurundjeri-woi wurrung People, whose sovereignty was never ceded.
All photos in this article were taken by Beth Lane.
Such a beautiful place run by a gorgeous family. The food is heaven on a plate