Pump @ 123

Pump @ 123
123 Russel St, Toowoomba



Yes, it's been a long dry spell of not-blogging. I can't help it! It's a busy time of the year. For some, that might mean plenty of opportunities to dine out at new restaurants. For me, it means I'm running around all over the place organizing with barely any time to eat/cook.



I know that a Toowoomba cafe entry is not exactly the most exciting bounce back into writing posts but in my defense, this cafe is actually quite good. Also, I want to get it out of the way because I have LOTS of exciting restaurants coming up this weekend and over the next few weeks (in a few locations across Australia).


Alrighty... so, Pump @ 123 is a drive through cafe located sorta close to where I live. Up until I Googled the place for my blog, I always referred to it as 'the drive through cafe'.

It's a surprising cafe, like a few others in Toowoomba, because from the outside you don't think much of it and when you step in, you get a whiff of what I can only call 'exceeds expectations for Toowoomba'.

This place is a combined gift shop/gourmet food shop/cafe. I've eaten there a couple of times, at different times of the day. I've also gotten takeaway from there.

Service has been overall good although the time I ordered takeaway, I got the odd grouchy lady... but I suppose that can't be helped.

They're quite flexible and on 2 occasions, we've ordered items that weren't strictly on their menu. Once, they made a chicken wrap up for me on request and another time, we asked if they had soup left and was lucky enough to get some pumpkin soup.

Chicken salad wrap

The chicken wrap was very... full. It wasn't amazing or unique in terms of filling and flavor but it was the kind of thing I like having for lunch: healthy and fresh.

Pumpkin soup

Byron had the soup and he didn't like it because it wasn't creamy enough but I actually thought it was quite good for the same reasons as above. I'd sacrifice a bit of creaminess in everyday food for the lack of guilty conscience any day!

Iced chocolate

He also ordered an iced chocolate on this occasion. It was the usual non-frappe variety with syrup and ice-cream. He devoured it quite quickly so it must've been quite good.

Latte

I've had coffee at Pump a few times and would grade their coffee as 'good'.

What's really cute is they always give you a mini treat with your coffee. It's been different the couple of times I've been there, and I just think it's a nice detail that keeps regulars excited.

Toasted chicken Turkish

On another occasion, I went to Pump with my friend Cupcake. She ordered a toasted Turkish bread sammie with chicken. She said it was good.

Frappe

Cupcake also picked up a frappe (can't remember the flavor).

Ham wrap

That day, I had a ham wrap (aren't I boring with the wraps; ps I eat wraps at home too), which I really liked... as much as you can 'really like' something as mundane as ham wrap.

Eggplant salad

I also picked up a side of eggplant salad. This was too oily for me and didn't have much flavor.


I'd still like to go back to Pump for some cakes because their dessert cabinet looks quite good! Overall, I think I've found a pretty good local lunch/coffee spot.