Name: Tatura Bakery & Lunches
Telephone: +61 3 5824 1444
Rating: 4.4

The short version. The bomb vanilla slices, pies and sausage rolls are the best we tried in the area (100KMS) over the past 3 days during our county Victoria visit. What can I say, I love pastry. Worth the visit if you like your pastry goods.

The Longer version....

First. THE WHY. Having family in rural Victoria, along with other visits for other activities, I grew up visiting country bakery's and had many a childhood great memory take shape. Yes a small obsession. However as many of you pastry puff bakery visitors would know, quality has diminished to levels of pointless purchases, some more often thrown away after a few bites over the years.

I was prompted of the 2023 Award wining Vanilla slice in a near by town. Sadly after traveling over an hour to visit this location, this other bakery had sold out of the Vanilla slices at 1pm.

Shocked, we walked out of the shop heart broken, no exaggeration (ok it was just me).

And yes I know, I should have called ahead, got there earlier etc etc. but they close at 4pm, and thinking, it would be ok. After all they just won the competition, so they would have plenty of stock...right. Yes, I was wrong.

Sitting in the car, (crying on the inside) disappointed, a lovely local visiting the store at the same time, noticed my reaction and shock of the non stocked item of pastry bliss, knocked on the car window as we contemplated our next move.

"Sorry to hear about your trip from Melbourne was a disappointment and you missed out, however, 15 mins up the road is the Tatura Bakery. Just as good, maybe better, up to you".

To my partners frustration, (more on this later) my navigation system was pointing the way. And yes, this time we called ahead. Yah, 3 left. Phew!

Upon arrival, the 3 golden sweet delights awaited. Not to get over excited, I purchased the one Vanilla slice, added to this, was a sausage roll (as they looked very GOOD) and to wash it all down, a large Ice coffee.

Starting with sausage, to quench the tummy rubbles. I was , impressed as it was without question, the best sausage roll in 4 towns we visited in the past 3 days, including the over hyped Beachworth place.

At this time, I was getting a little excited, could this day get any better..... paused, looked into my partners eyes and let her know what she is about to witness may be a little scary.

Could this be the childhood memory of the perfect Vanilla slice! and YES, it was. a 4.9/5. Why a 4.9, just not a fan of the chocolate swirls on top. Sorry its just like that.

The weight of the pastry delight was a good sign. The Hight was larger than most and impressed as I held it. The portion size was also just right. Right in the goldilocks zone.

But then, the first bite into the Vanilla, though into the pastry and landing into the "perfectly soft by firm" custard centre.

PERFECT.

Naturally returned to the counter to purchase the remaining two vanilla slices to maybe share with Family, but also 6 (cold) pies for the week ahead (tomorrow). And yes they are just as perfect too.

Even my partner, who is not a sweet tooth like myself, wanted to try it to see what the fussing was about, and was also impressed. That shocked me.

Thank you Nicole and the team for a small but important memorable experience and to great unexpected find.

BTW. If your visiting Melbourne anytime, would not say no to getting a...