HARRY’S CAFE DE WHEELS is more than a pie cart: it’s a Sydney Institution. Less well–known is the fact that it’s also a ship. Located between the Finger Wharf and Fleet Base East at Garden Island Navy Base, it’s best known for its “Tiger Pie”, named after its founder.

Harry Edwards’ caravan cafe, originally named just Harry’s, cashed in on passing trade in the 1930s before he enlisted in WWII. He was nicknamed “tiger” because of his boxing prowess. After the war he returned to carry on business but Sydney Council red tape meant it could only operate as a mobile van. So he moved it 12 inches (30cm) a day, renaming it Harry’s Cafe de Wheels, creating a legal loophole and corroborating its mobile status. It’s been near its current site since 1945 having moved four times. Now it’s a permanent fixture both on the ground and in people’s minds looking for a late-night feed. The original unpretentious 1945 cart is held by Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum. It has never adopted the French acute for the word cafe.

Not just classified by the National Trust of Australia (NSW) as “a quintessential icon”, its apotheosis occurred in 1978 when Rear Admiral Sir David Martin KCMG AO RAN (1933-90), also later Governor of NSW (1989-90), commissioned the van “HMAS Harry’s” over a pie and glass of champagne. 45 years later Harry’s is yet to see active service as a battleship, or even leave its “dry dock” [!]

Visiting celebrities have included ‘Finger lickin’ good’ American chicken king, Colonel Sanders, who ate three pies and peas while leaning on his walking stick, and Sir Elton John, who held a press conference inside in the 1970s. Other famous patrons include Frank Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Sir Richard Branson, Russell Crowe, Billy Crystal and Pamela Anderson, to name just a few. It’s even had its own debut album (1989) by Peter Blakely, Harry’s Café de Wheels.

The house special, “Tiger Pie”, remains on the menu: chunky lean beef, mushy peas, mash and gravy.
Hear their debut album hit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvEOxELrP_A

By Andrew Woodhouse, Director Heritage Solutions

Image: Honest food from an honest 1945 original food van: no é in this cafe, thanks