Mexican marriage leads to legendary cafe
Up for sale
It’s visited by so many from the Douglas Shire as they drive through the tablelands to Mareeba. A little taste of Mexico at the Lobo Loco Cafe or to give it its Australian name, the Mount Malloy Cafe.
The eatery, which is in the Main Street of the historic, timber and mining town, is run by two of the nicest people you’d ever want to meet. Angela and Rudy Metler have been married 52 years and are still like a couple of lovesick kids. Their story is straight out of a romance novel and they’re as much in love these days as when they met in the Mexican city of Mazatlán in the 70’s. Mazatlán is a resort town along the Pacific shoreline of the exotic country. Angela was working on a Carousel when Rudy, visiting from Switzerland, caught her eye.
It was love at first sight and the two were soon married with a huge Mexican wedding. As the Mariachi music played, Angela and Rudy danced into the night and began planning their lives together.
Headed down under
They decided to make Australia their home and raised four boys at Machans Beach. They then headed to the hills and 30 years ago bought a rundown café at Mount Malloy. The couple were determined to bring something different to the area. Instead of the deep-fried fare that’s normally dished up at many Aussie cafes, Angela got out her mother’s secret recipes and the rest, they say is history. Now the café is famous for Mexican treats like Taco’s, Enchiladas and Empanadas, all made fresh in Angela’s kitchen.
According to this Senora it just has to be fresh “I can’t serve it any other way, you won’t get fresher anywhere in Queensland” a very proud Angela told Newsport. Rudy backs her up “Our food speaks for itself” he says. Of course, it speaks Mexican, but it translates into a great feed and healthy to boot. In fact, Angela and Rudy have eliminated many items off their menu they consider unhealthy for their customers. Chiko Rolls, Corn Jacks and Dim Sims are only three of the deep-fried fare that have got the flick.
“Nothing against those products” said Angela “but people can buy them anywhere and we want to serve only freshly cooked food that will be delicious and healthy at the same time”. They even claim the best hamburger in the world, which is famous around these parts. While Newsport was there Sandy Daly and grandson Kobi dropped in to enjoy two of those well lauded burgers. The Grandmother and Grandson are here from the Central Coast of NSW “We just love this café, it’s like a little oasis on the way across from Kuranda and the food is amazing,” said Sandy.
Retirement is close
But now, after three decades, the Metler’s are putting their much-loved cafe up for sale. They aren’t in any hurry to sell, so you should be able to say hi to them for a little while longer, but there might come a time when this cafe, in its present form at least, won’t exist. When that moment eventually arrives, you might see Chicko Rolls go back up on the board. Let’s hope that’s a way off.
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