Adelaide is blessed with a plethora of food trucks and vans which circulate the streets and pop-up at the many festivals and markets here and there. And joining the mobile food scene is The Brew Cruiser – a plant-based cafe on wheels serving mighty fine coffees, hefty savouries, and simply divine sweets by the beach.
The sweeping Grange Beach is home to The Brew Cruiser – a dangerously convenient location where you can go for a stroll along the beach with a hot coffee in hand, or grab a few Brew Cruiser snacks and sit amidst the fresh ocean air under the (almost) spring sun.
The Brew Cruiser owners, Jil Claire and Thornton Sellick have a combined 25 years working in the hospitality industry, while they share a whopping 19 years of plant-based eating – inspiring the transition to open their own business venture.
“We wanted to bring the philosophies that we have picked up from all of these experiences and impress it upon a community; to put our spin on what we know and love. But more than anything, we wanted to show people that a really good oat milk latte paired with the right coffee is f#*ing good,” Jil and Thornton share.
On The Brew Cruiser’s menu you’ll find delicious sanwiches with the likes of: the BLT-ish, where the core ingredient is The Cruiser’s house-made and plant-based meat which is fried in more-ish maple flavours. And the Shroomy, featuring a rosemary poached mushroom, fried black bean salsa and their house-made relish and aioli. Both are served on locally made bagels by Bagel Boys – oh boy!
If you’re a bit more of a sweet tooth however, thanks are due to local legends Cherry Darlings Bakehouse who provide The Brew Cruiser with a variety of desserts including: fudgy brownies, huge chai spice kiss cookies, and the most indulgent vanilla slices going around.
“We develop the menu together; largely, the dynamic we follow is that Jil tends to have a crazy idea and creates the flavour, and Thornton finds a way to bring Jil’s home-cooked vibes to an elegant cafe finish,” both Jil and Thornton share.
“We decided on opening a caravan after spending eight months travelling Australia with our Blue Heeler in a Ford Transit that we converted ourselves. We loved the freedom of going where we wanted and loved the idea of being able to continue doing that whilst meeting and breaking bagels with people around Australia.
“We want to educate people that being vegan doesn’t mean missing out. A lot of our regular customers aren’t vegan and many went weeks without realising we were.
“Our hospitality is at the core of what we do and what defines us. Jil will bundle up your dog with her house-made dog treats and take care of your kids with loaded babycinos. Thornton will usher you away before your day is lost in conversation. Let us know if you’re in a hurry so we don’t ask you for your life story,” Jil and Thornton cheekily comment.
“We don’t know where we will end up, but The Brew Cruiser is the beginning of our hospitality adventure. For now, Adelaide is home and we are loving what this gorgeous city has to offer,” Jil and Thronton finish.
You can find The Brew Cruiser at the Inlet Reserve at Grange Beach on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 8am and 3pm, and in the car park of 487 Esplanade at Grange Beach from Friday through to Sunday between 9am and 3pm.