Editor Pick
Sue's Secret BBQ Shack - Well Worth a Look
- January 7, 2009
- Rated 5 of 5 by
wolfbrother from Edinburgh, United Kingdom
This is regarded as a bit of a local secret, despite the fact that it's featured in Lonely Planet and a variety of other such guides. Ask anyone in town where to find this and they'll be able to direct you there. I strongly recommend that you follow their directions as it's well worth a look.
Kaikoura is famous for its seafood, but unless you're flush with cash it can be fiscally unfeasible to sample said seafood. They charge export prices here for their famous crays, so if you'd hoped to get one of these delicacies at wholesale prices from the place they first come out of the sea you will be disappointed. The prices they charge here for seafood are outrageous, geared toward fleecing the tourists, with one notable exception. This one.
Their opening hours are something of a law unto themselves. If she doesn't feel like setting up for the day then chances are she won't, but if you're looking for a guide then you can usually stop by any time from dawn to dusk and you'll find this little roadside establishment. You can't miss it - it really is a cart with some open air tables in a layby on the side of the road. Just pull up and make your choice.
There is an excellent cheap option of a cup of chowder for about $4. This is delicious and filling, so particularly if you're on the move then this is the choice to make. Having said that, once you step up to the cart and smell the mussels and clams and assorted other goodies grilling away then you may have to stop for a while and try one of their other menu items.
The scallops are beautiful and their mussels grilled in garlic butter were among the best I've ever eaten. At about 6 or 7 dollars, they're also a very affordable way to sample some of Kaikoura's outstanding shellfish. Sample is the correct term though. New Zealand usually offers good sized portions of food, but they are very small here. For your 6 or 7 dollars you'll get a handful of scallops and a handful of rice as accompaniment.
In short then, this place has lots of character and - though the location is right on the road - it's in a fairly peaceful spot. It's a very good way to get a taste of the seafood here without breaking the bank, but don't come here expecting a proper feed. It's all about the flavour, which is great.
From journal The Spectacular Vistas of Kaikoura