A Boss Hog Easter with the family! - Hog's Breath Cafe, Wespoint Blacktown

Establishment: Hog's Breath Cafe, Westpoint Blacktown

Cuisine: Aussie Steakhouse

Allergy information: Their menu has a number of options that are dairy, egg, seafood, nut and gluten free. Staff are very helpful in dealing with allergy queries

Suggestions: My personal favourite is the Natural Prime Rib with fries and steamed vegies which is dairy, egg, seafood, nut and sesame free. Classic, simple and delicious!

Eschewing the usual chocolates and hot cross buns, I send Easter's greetings with some good ol' steak! A happy family tradition each year and a particularly happy one for those in the family who decided to give up meat for the whole 40 days prior. This year, we decided to grab some old family favourites at Hog's Breath Cafe

Hog's has been a personal favourite for a very long time now. Along with both family and friends, I have been going there for years, most particularly to their restaurant at On Four in Westpoint. Easy Sunday lunches, big occasions, as a pre-movie or post-shopping dinner spot, as an easy place close enough to home to get some steak and curly fries on with a mate... it's really been a happy go-to for all of it.

Jumping back to 2005, I first remember becoming acquainted with this place and it's very juicy steaks and curly fries and I especially remember how easy it was to figure out my food for the day. It's a little difficult thinking back that far because my allergy eating reality now is so very different to what it was back then, in the best way possible, but that's why any place where the experience was happily uncomplicated would really cement things for me. At a time where eating out with allergies was something restaurants didn't actively cater for, any place where eating out wasn't a burden or a chore was a big deal.

And now Hog's remains a long standing regular, along with my standard dish - the natural prime rib with fries and veg. Simple and just what you need. 

A good steak, three veg and some fries - sometimes all you want is the simple stuff.

My standard order for steak, whatever cut, is medium. I prefer this over rarer cooks to best cover my UC and therefore somewhat delicate gut. While medium can vary between places, at Hog's, for me it's just right and perfectly succulent. The steamed veg and their signature Hogtail fries just complete the plate and, of course, if you're me, then you also add in a side of bacon because, why not?

Add in a nice strawberry mint lemonade and you're set. They have some really nice mocktails as well for those of us non-alcohol drinkers

I'm very grateful to say that I've been safely eating here for so long, I know what to order without having to delve into the dietary issues, however for safety's sake and because kitchens and menus do change, I do still occasionally confirm that there's no butter or egg in cooking the steak or the vegies. So far, they've been consistent and thankfully I've not once had any reaction to the food.

Furthermore, the staff have always, always been super friendly and helpful when it's come to these queries so if you want to double check with them about whatever allergens are your biggest concern, they will be there for you. I've easily eaten at Blacktown Hog's dozens of times and only ever enjoyed friendly service from them. Big ups, I love you guys!

Now I mainly stick to the natural prime rib because my allergy list is quite long and when I go to Hog's, I'm there for the steak. However, depending on your own allergies, you can definitely have a peek at the menu and get a bit more adventurous. If you're still after steak, you can get their Blackened Rib, Hickory Smoke, Byron Bay Chilli... if you're not allergic to fish or shellfish, then they have Calimari or Garlic Prawn Prime Rib too, as well a really decent seafood selection which my mum loves.

There are also some newer dishes that I'd really like to try which appear to be dairy, egg and seafood free, like the Thai Beef Salad which my dad ordered yesterday. They also have now have vegan dishes, adding even more allergen free options that might be worth a go!

The Thai Beef Salad!

Now for those of you who aren't necessarily eating out with allergies, but looking into places for family or friends that do, you won't be at all short of really great options. One example? Whenever my family and I eat there, I can't remember a single time when they haven't ordered the Finger Food combo pictured below, which is a great tasting plate. Here you have salt & pepper calamari, loaded potato skins, prawn twisters and chicken tenders served with honey mustard and sweet chilli dipping sauces. Some of their other lovely dishes are below.

Get stuck into the Hog-etisers while you wait for your mains!

My sister's Avocado and Bearnaise Prime Rib with Sweet Potato Mash and Veg.

  

My mum's delicious Fish and Sweet Potato Chips.

Aussie Mango and Passionfruit Mess - unfortunately dairy or egg allergy friendly, but perhaps ok for nut allergies?

Choc sundaes for the siblings.

Overall, I've always enjoyed the easy-going vibe at Hog's and it's really a great place to go to for any occasion with family or friends, which is the simple reason my family, friends and I have continued to keep going there for so many years, barely having to think about allergies.

They have a good range of locations around Sydney, especially out west, so if you love a good steak or want to try some of their newer or more elaborate options, I definitely recommend giving them a go!

Happy Easter!