There’s some food trends which should really roll over and die… and the tacky, old-school food court is one of them. Sure, there’s some great examples of how a food court can be done well, but they’re usually called a “dining hall” (in Prue and Trude voice) these days.
So we’re wondering… where do you rate as the tackiest food courts in Melbourne? You know, the grotty, old-school shopping centres which are in severe need of a makeover, and only have rows and rows of food under heat lamps inside bain maries…
There’s plenty of examples of how food courts in Melbourne can be done well – the refurbished Melbourne Central food court deserves a mention. It has a variety of dining areas, there’s always enough seats for everyone, a really decent selection of fresh food, and it doesn’t feel like a communist feeding hall. Then there’s places like the China Town food court underneath the Paramount shopping centre, which seems to be one of the most miserable food courts in Melbourne around.
Which locations get your vote as the tackiest food courts in Melbourne?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve yet to encounter a food court that isn’t tacky, but Northland gets my vote as the pinnacle of tacky. Suitable attire seems to be a baseball cap (ugh!) worn in one of two ways – back to front, which visually has the effect of lowering your I.Q. quite significantly, or 3 sizes too small (perhaps your little brothers) and perched atop your head at a ridiculous angle.
Has to be Northland. The salad place has 25 salads that all taste like ass and fish sauce. It’s full of kids wagging school taking up all the GD seats, and it gets no better at Boost where the teenage staff are too busy flirting with each other to make your damned drink. Or subway where instead of how can i help you, a scowl and an eyebrow raise indicate your sandwich artist is ready to perform culinary mediocrity on par baked bread. Or Secret recipe which has shut down, but all the cool kids still sit out the front. Oh not to mention the playground that never opens. Oh and don’t forget about the “Japanese” headlamp dungeon where your “pancake” comes with brown vinegary slop and some indescribable white horror passed off and mayonnaise.
Altona gate
Toss up between Highpoint & Watergardens. Both shocking!
Northlands
Altona Gate Shopping Centre, Werribee Plaza, Altona Gate Shopping Centre