The cosy Preston dive bar is getting a new menu courtesy of Jem, a close friend with a long history in Melbourne’s food scene.
Rebel Rebel is all about positive vibes, great tunes and being an all-round comfy hangout spot. The ‘70s-inspired rock ‘n’ roll bar has rapidly cemented itself as a staple visit in Preston and Melbourne’s northern suburbs as a beloved dive bar with incredibly welcoming staff.
The spot strongly emphasises community. Its affordable local beers, wines, spirits and cocktails can be enjoyed in their gorgeous, dog-friendly beer garden. You can read more about Rebel Rebel over at Beat’s venue directory.
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Rebel Rebel’s passion for community extends to the food. All eats are provided by Edna’s, the food truck that resides full-time in the backyard at Rebel Rebel. Open Thursday to Sunday from 4pm to 9pm since July last year, its Italian-American styled bar food and snacks have been a hit with visitors.
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The truck has been offering classic sandwiches such as meatball subs and Philly cheesesteaks, and sides like Jalapeño poppers, mozzarella sticks, and shoestring fries, which can be smothered with cheese and gravy if you so wish to ramp up your flavour game. These dishes can be made vegan or meaty, so there’s something for everyone.
There’s about to be a whole lot more. For the month of March, Kitchen duties at Edna’s are being taken over by a guest chef Jem, who has a long history in the Melbourne food scene and recently wrapped up work at Collingwood’s Molly Rose Brewery.
Dan, Rebel Rebel’s owner, has enlisted him to spice up the food truck’s already delectable menu with even more mouthwatering dishes. “Jem is a close friend of the bars,” Dan tells me. “He has a fantastic understanding of flavour and how to make good ingredients into some amazingly tasty dishes.”
Getting Jem on deck right now was perfect timing. Dan reveals Jem leaving Molly Rose lined up exactly with Rebel Rebel’s chef heading home for a month-long holiday. “It seemed crazy not to let Jem in to take over the kitchen for that time,” he says.
During his kitchen takeover, Jem’s been serving up some fantastic feeds people are “really enjoying,” Dan enthusiastically says.
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For mains, up for grabs are what Dan calls some of “the best” Cotoletta sandos made with panko, kohlrabi, fennel, herbs and lemon, with a side of chips for $24. There are smash burgers with beef, cheese, pickles, sauce and shallots for $19, or $22 if you want two juicy patties instead. Also available are skewer plates made with rice, pickles, soft-boiled eggs and furikake for $18.
If salads are more your thing, you can’t pass on the refreshing, tasteful bowl of freekeh, chickpeas, leaves, herbs and pickles for $15. An assortment of sides are also available on the core menu, such as negima skewers for $8 and chips and homemade seasonal pickles, each costing $9.
During this month, Jem will also whip up some specials to amp up the menu even more. Dan’s mentioned Jem’s most recently made some wagyu and cheese croquettes with garlic and dijon mayo – if succulent dishes like that are bound to appear, you can’t miss out on giving Jem’s cooking a go.
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Judging by the new menu, Jem has a terrific knack for flavour. It’s wonderful how Dan brought him in as a friend to keep the menu at Edna’s fresh and interesting every week. That shows the power of friendship can go a long way – Rebel Rebel truly is a hotspot for community.
Rebel Rebel’s kitchen is open four days a week, Thursday to Sunday from 4–9 pm, which may include Wednesdays soon. Keep an eye on the Edna’s Preston Instagram here.
