Located on the ground floor of The Watson Hotel, The Local Grind is a restaurant that focuses on using South Australian produce. The produce is seasonal and sourced directly from the suppliers. The establishment also doubles as a providore where customers have the option of purchasing freshly baked bread or other ingredients to have at home. The place is currently open for breakfast and lunch everyday with future plans to open in the evenings on the weekend.

The decor is funky and modern with a seating capacity of 55. The floor to glass windows allow plenty of natural light to flow through making this place light and airy. One thing that did catch my eye was the feature wall made from old doors. There were also some unique furnishings that I had never seen before.

For lunch, I ordered the Yankalilla Beef Burger which comes with house pickles, cos lettuce, aioli and ketchup. The meal arrived 15 minutes after ordering and was nicely presented on a wooden chopping board.

The beef patty was about an inch thick and it’s diameter was the same size as the bun. The patty was slightly overcooked but it was still juicy and succulent. The beef mince could have been more well refined as I encountered some gristle in the patty. The lettuce was fresh and crisp, and the pickles were sour with a nice crunchy texture. The aioli had subtle hints of garlic which complemented the sweetness of the ketchup. The ciabatta was thick and doughy, and firm enough to hold all the ingredients.

The meal came with a side of fries and onion rings. I thought the fries could have been spent more time in the deep fryer, however, they were adequately salted. The onion rings were nice and crunchy with multiple onion slices making up each ring.

The staff were friendly and the service was good. The atmosphere was relaxed and the pricing was average. The cost my burger was $18.90 which is what you’d pay at a pub or similar establishment. The brunch options start at $6.90, while the larger meals start at $10.90.

Where possible, all the ingredients used at this place are supplied from local businesses. Not only does this support local workers but it also puts money back into the South Australian economy. For this, I think they should be applauded. As for the meal, it wasn’t without fault, but it was certainly very good.

WHERE: 33 Warwick St, Walkerville