Harry’s Café de Wheels

Woolloomooloo, Australia

3.9

21 reviews

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+61 2 9357 3074
Website:
www.harryscafedewheels.com.au
Address:
Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo, New South Wales, 2011
Woolloomooloo
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.4 miKings Cross
0.4 miMartin Place Stand B
0.5 miKellett Street
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Apple Pay
No
Accepted Cards
Credit, Debit
Good For
Lunch
Parking
Street
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Average
Alcohol
No
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Has TV
No
Waiter Service
No
Drive-Thru
No
Caters
No
Legal ID
'n/a'

Today

Today 9:00 am – 1:00 am
Local time (Woolloomooloo) –

Business hours

Monday 8:30 am – 2:00 am
Tuesday 8:30 am – 2:00 am
Wednesday 8:30 am – 3:00 am
Thursday 8:30 am – 3:00 am
Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 am
Saturday 9:00 am – 4:00 am
Sunday 9:00 am – 1:00 am

Description

Specialties

Harry’s Café De Wheels has been in the business of making quality pies since 1938. All our pies are 100% hormone and chemical free — made with 98% lean topside or chicken, sea salt, pepper, herbs and spices. No trans fats, no freezing, no frying!

History

Established in 1938.

Harry’s Café de Wheels is over 70 years old, and has maintained a tradition of daily fresh deliveries of its pies. The story of ‘Harry’s Café de Wheels’ goes back to the depression years of the late 1930’s.

With the world on the brink of a devastating war, an enterprising Sydneysider by the name of Harry Edwards opened a caravan café near the front gates of the Woolloomooloo naval dockyard. Word spread quickly with Harry’s ‘pie n’ peas’ and crumbed sausages soon becoming a popular part of the city’s nightlife — keenly sought by sailors, soldiers, cabbies, starlets and coppers alike.

As the years have passed, Harry’s has become a ‘must’ for visiting celebrities. Harry’s has served up the likes of Frank Sinatra, Robert Mitchum, Marelene Dietrich, and more recently, Sir Richard Branson, Russell Crowe, Pamela Anderson, Adam Sandler and Chris Hemsworth.

Meet the Business Owner

Michael H.

Business Owner

Current owner Michael Hannah bought Harry’s Café de Wheels in 1988.

Michael is the first Australian born owner of Harry’s and as a child his father, a Sydney cabbie, would take he and his siblings down to the loo for a pie at Harry’s. In 1970, Michael returned from a tour of duty in Vietnam and his first stop after disembarking the HMAS Sydney was of course Harry’s. It would be another 17 years until Michael purchased the business.

Michael believes Harry’s finest moment came in 1978 when Rear Admiral David Martin — over a pie and glass of Champagne — commissioned the caravan as ‘HMAS Harry’s.’

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Vicinity

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21 reviews of Harry’s Café de Wheels

No registration required
Place rating: 4
Malibu, CA
Very nice food with good value of it, tried Tiger pie, was nice but not my favorite, I prefer the hot dog! So delicious and juicy sources around it.
Place rating: 4
Melbourne, Australia
I wouldn’t be surprised if this place was a Sydney institution much like the Pie Van was back in Adelaide. Hey, they even had a dish was that suspiciously (actually a little to suspiciously) like the infamous pie floater (not that I’ve actually had one, which doesn’t leave a good impression — growing up in Adelaide and not having a pie floater — shame on me). Anyway, this is a mobile food van, and from the pictures on it I suspect it has been here for decades. Basically it sells all sorts of savoury (and sweet) snacks. The chips were okay, but not really anything to write home about, and the tea was pretty ordinary. I have noticed that other storefronts have opened up around Sydney, but they aren’t in a van like this one. What surprises me though is that it is all the way up in Woolloomooloo — I’d have expected it to be at Circular Quay.
Place rating: 4
Fremont, CA
My relatives recommend me to try this place. I have to say the Tiger Pie was the thing to get here. What can you go wrong with mash potatoes, mashed peas, and chicken pot pie. Also, did I forget to mention that you get gravy on top?
Place rating: 4
Cologne, Germany
Harry’s is a famous institution in Sydney, and the fame hasn’t detracted from the quality. You can pick up an awesome pie or sausage roll (both Aussie icons that you need to try), take a seat on a bench, and enjoy a view of the harbour while savouring the delight that is an Aussie meat pie bathed in gravy. It deffo makes for a satisfying brekkie or lunch, and a true blue way to start your day. The cost is a tad more than other pies you’ll find around Sydney, but you should try at least once: you’ll be able to say you’ve eaten a Harry’s pie, and have a nice benchmark for the other pies you encounter.
Place rating: 4
Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Decided to give a try as this is a popular tourist place. Hotdog was okay. Better than usual hotdogs but not worth trying. However, tiger pie is a must try! I am not big fan of Aussie pie but this pies mashed potato and gravy sause perfectly matches with peas, meat and crunchy pie bread!
Place rating: 3
Sydney, Australia
This is a must stop pit stop for me when j have guests in town. I always advise on the pies but I only go for the hotdogs.
For me, it’s just plain with tomato sauce and mustard.
I always want to eat 2 at least. If only it wasn’t so expensive.
Hate the birdies that lurk. Surely ppl can clean up after themselves. Considering everyone does drive to get here.
Place rating: 4
Singapore, Singapore
Was looking for food after visiting Art Gallery of NSW and this was a short walk of about 10 minutes there. It’s just by the beautiful waterfront. Had a tiger pie on the beef pie that was good, so are the hotdogs! Massive, filling and so affordable. Open till 3! If you’re looking for a late-​night snack, here’s the place!
Place rating: 3
Queens, NY
This chain brand of hot dogs and meat pies was very hyped up.
I opted for the Tiger, which takes an original pie (I got the veggie pie) and tops it with mashed peas, mashed potatoes, and gravy. It sounded amazing, but it was very unmemorable. The veggies in the pie were not cooked long enough. The overwhelming taste of raw carrot took away from the meal. The mashed potatoes were bland, but the mashed peas were pretty good. I don’t even remember what the gravy tasted like.
It has outdoor seats attached to the walls of the food truck-​like shop. Definitely stick around and eat there for the authentic feel. Enjoy the images of popular celebrities who have visited the store plastered across the wall.
Place rating: 4
Stratford, CT
Love it. Just a great stop and pretty cool when you see all the celebrity photos on the wall. The food is very interesting and unique (to me) so that’s a plus as well. Service was just fine. Location was a little out of the way but on a long walk along the shore I was able to get there. I wish I could have come here every day. The hot dog looked incredible. The pies were great. I think this is another «must stop here» place when you’re in Sydney.
Place rating: 4
Randwick, Australia
This is definitely a unique way to eat a pie or hot dog. I ordered the Tiger which is a beef pie topped with gravy, mash and peas. Always a popular choice to go too after a night of drinking and you realize you are starving! They’re open, tasty and filing. What a treat!
Place rating: 3
Krakow, Poland
Ok, I get that the place is legendary and pies are for most of people amazing. But I have ordered the most popular one (with potatoes, mushed peas and beef inside) and I didn’t like it. Peas and potatoes were just fine, but beef in this weird sauce inside — not my taste. But for my friend it was outstandingly delicious so my overall rate is OK.
Place rating: 4
Los Angeles, CA
The one and only Harry’s. «I heard so much about you!» Now here I am having a pie at least twice a day. I have no regrets in immersing myself with a nice hearty pie topped with peas and gravy. Its an experience on its own and its okay to be messy. You’ll have a lot help from the birds flocked around you. But enough about the pies, try the hotdog as well! That by itself is an experience as close to its pies as well.
You just had to have one… maybe two but make sure you’re having Harry’s at the actual spot and not at the Ferry Station where they «sell» Harry’s Pies.
Place rating: 4
New York, NY
If you’re in Sydney, you must make a voyage here. To be clear, it’s not a restaurant, but a small food stop on the side of the road. I took a very long walk to get here (my own doing), but that made it even more delicious when I got back to my hotel and stated eating this. Had the weather been nicer I’d have sat there and eaten it (as I’m told most locals do).
It’s a meat pie, and this version is topped with mashed potatoes and mushy peas, and some gravy. If you like pies, this will be a real treat!
Place rating: 4
Atlanta, GA
Ok — it’s a truck. But a famous one and well deservedly famous. Hot dogs, meat pies are the focus with a range of pub like adds like mushy peas, mash, gravy etc. An interesting mix of tradies and suits wait in line for Harry’s best. Get the wheel deal which features a meat pie, mushy peas on top with a squirt of gravy. Chips come alongside. Calorie bomb yes. Delicious yes. The walk down to the wharf and sit on a bench and lust after the boats.
Place rating: 4
Hong Kong
Harry’s is a place where most tourists come to «check-​in». So make sure you come to the Woolloomooloo location even though they have a branch closer to the CBD.
The shop has a lot of character and the food is actually quite tasty. It makes a great snack /​light meal before or after a stroll at the Botanical Garden.
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
My host insisted that no trip to Sydney is complete without visiting Harry’s for a meat pie. So even though I’d already eaten dinner, and by that point I was pretty meat-​pied-​out, I had to do it.
One chicken curry pie, no toppings. I know the right way to eat a meat pie is to stack it with mashed potatoes, gravy, and mushy peas, but I’m sure my stomach would’ve exploded.
Despite having zero desire to put more food into my body, the pie was still scrumptious, and undoubtedly better than earlier ones I’d had. I also somehow managed to try a bite of a chili cheese dog. Clearly, I made the right decision in wearing stretchy yoga pants that day.
It’s a food truck in the middle of a parking lot, so anything could happen. As we were chatting, a gigantic roach suddenly scampered by– the fearless, flying kind. This little boy promptly removed his shoe and smacked it to death. It was remarkable, really.
If you care, it’s a short distance from the red light district. My host drove us through the area as a prank, but laughed nervously when I suggested that we get out of the car.
Place rating: 5
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Comfort food done massively and greatly.
Este pequeño puesto de comida chatarra al costado de uno de los muelles más lindos, elegantes y caros de Sydney, ofrece comida chatarra bien tipica australiana (Pasteles, empanadas, tartas, hot dogs, hamburguesas) pero con una cualidad. ENORMES Y SUPER GORDOS.
La especialidad de la casa con los chlli hot dogs (hot dogs de salchicha alemana ahumada, con chili picante, puré de arvejas, cebollas caramelizadas al ajo y salsa de queso. Magia pura (pueden ver la foto)
YYYYY el Tiger Pie. Un pastel del gusto que elijan, con pure de papas, puré de arvejas y gravy tirada arriba. Demencialmente bueno. Y pesado. Yo pedí el de pollo al curry y era genial. Aunque creo que la papa es pedir el de carne con champignones y salsa. Suelen ser los que más garpan.
Te dan la comida a los 45 segundos de pedirla. El costo es regular. Cualquiera de esas opciones puede ser un almuerzo completo. Y ofrecen un paquete con papas y una gaseosa a 10.50 dólares. Que para Sydney es barato.
No se, pesaría 400 kilos si tuviera esto cerca siempre.
Place rating: 4
Brooklyn, NY
Is it really possible that an Australian can make a dish that was originally German but quintessentially American, even better? Well, this place can make it happen.
Anyway, the first dish I had was the Tiger pie, which is this meat pie with mashed potatoes and mashed peas and gravy on top. I had the beef filling. The pie itself was tasty, liked the savoury flavour of the filling, but I thought the peas and the mash were good but not really that great. It definitely was not one of the best meat pies I had, and I think it is a little overrated.
However, they make a really good hot dog. I got the Hot Dog de Wheels, which has mushy peas, chilli con carne and garlic onions with cheese sauce and chilli sauce. After the first few bites, I thought…
«Now THAT’S a hot dog!»
This hot dog is definitely bigger than the typical American hot dog, it was probably about 20+ cm long. The flavours of the onions, the cheese sauce, the slight spice of the chilli sauce made this hot dog one of the tastiest hot dogs I have eaten. One Hot Dog de Wheels and a bottle of Bundaberg Ginger Beer should be enough to fill the stomach of a grown man for lunch.
After being full for about an hour, I went running around Sydney during that «arvo» to burn off the calories.
Overall, if you are looking for one of the best hot dogs in Sydney, this place is a pretty good choice. Make sure you get some Bundaberg Ginger Beer with your hot dog or pie, it was very refreshing, especially during a warm day. To the Australian that made this hot dog better: Thank you!
Place rating: 4
Vancouver, Canada
The original food cart. I realize Sydney is the land of Pies and this place is the granddaddy of them all.
Tiger Pie is the must try here. Come at night, so you can soak in the atmosphere, walk along to the Harbour where fancy chi chi restaurants are down the block and walk back and order a Tiger Pie!
Basically, a Tiger Pie is any savory pie you want with the mashed potato peas and gravy creatively put on top.
Once you get your pie, go around to the many seats around the trailer and dig in.
I chose the steak and mushroom pie as my base and thoroughly enjoyed every delicious bites.
One of our friends ordered the hotdog with the works and it was good also, but have the Tiger Pie.
Place rating: 5
Sacramento, CA
This place of legend is quite the institution for tourists, locals, late-​night-​after-​bars sort. They have opened several branches throughout the city, but this is a mecca for tourists. It’s a little joint out by the docks in Wolloomooloo, with counter seating provided.
GET THE TIGER. I hear the hot dogs are really good, too, but GET THE TIGER. It’s mashed peas, on top of mashed potatoes, on top of a pot pie, topped off with a well of brown gravy *drools*.
I don’t know why hand pies aren’t as popular in the U.S. as it is in Australia. I need to think about opening up my own branch back in the states. We walked from Circular Quay, through the Botanical Gardens, IN THE RAIN, just to get a Tiger. It was worth getting soaked.
Place rating: 3
Sydney, Australia
Its not you, Harry’s, its me. I knew I was taking a risk coming here sober, but after being in Sydney for over two years and never finding myself drunk in Woolloomooloo, I had to take the gamble.
And maybe that’s another disclaimer I need to throw in. Harry’s is Australian, and although I hope to be as well one day, my taste buds were born abroad. When I think «meat pie» I think of a tourtière, or a shepherd’s pie, or even a pepper steak– something packed with seasoning, and maybe even some veg. I found Harry’s pies a bit simple: just meat and gravy. Sure, the potatoes and peas piled on top helped, but I was expecting more flavour in the pie itself.
The chili on the chili dog was okay, but the hot dog itself was again, a bit simple. The fries were crispy, but pretty oily, and– you guessed it, simple. They were much better with a good amount of salt and some gravy from the pies.
Overall, everything was okay. This really is an Australian icon that everyone should visit, but for me, just maybe, like many things in life, Harry’s is better after a few drinks.