Strickland French Hot Bread

Strickland French Hot Bread is the kind of bakery in Denmark, Western Australia that makes a quick stop hard to keep quick, because there is so much on the counter. Pies are the headline, but the range runs well past them. Turkish rolls, baguette sandwiches, banh mi, pho, rice paper rolls and noodle salads all sit alongside the bakery cabinet, so a family can find something for everyone without splitting up across town.

The pies are what people tend to talk about first. One local raved about a cauliflower and broccoli pie, creamy with cheese on top, while another went back for a second pepper pie. Steak and kidney is on offer too. Sweet things get a mention as well, from caramel slice to bee sting slices, and the Vietnamese side has its fans, with the crispy pork bao buns and banh mi singled out by one visitor as the best they'd had in the state. The Viet iced coffee gets a nod too.

Fresh from the oven is a big part of the appeal, and so is value. People describe the is generous and the prices as fair for a lunch stop, and the staff come across as friendly and helpful when you're stuck choosing. Gluten-free options are available, mostly in the vermicelli salad line, though one visitor suggested they're probably not safe for coeliacs, so ask about that before you order.

It's not all one way. Opinion is a little split, and we've heard from one local who felt prices had crept up and the dine-in experience had slipped, and another who wasn't won over by the Turkish rolls or the pies. Worth knowing too that popular items can run out later in the afternoon, and the coffee machine gets cleaned before closing, so a late coffee run may not work out.

You can eat in or take away, and there's a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, with free street parking nearby. Cards and tap payments are accepted. Check the hours before you head in, and aim for earlier in the day if you want the full range.