Children of the 90’s, pay attention! Now this may be a bit controversial, but cast your memories back to a time when you’d go to a restaurant to actually….wait for it….eat. When there were no selfies, obligatory food porn shots, fake smiles or Insta pouts in sight. When posing was something strictly reserved for Dolly and Girlfriend cover girls, and oh how we loved the Taylor sisters…

Well, we know a crew who are bringing back the simplicity, authenticity and good times of the non-pretentious 90’s dining vibe, and this is the most refreshing thing we’ve heard all year! We’re talking a gimmick-free traditional pizzeria, brimming with warm family vibes and darn good food. Soz (but not soz) influencers, Franc Jrs Famous Pizzeria in Coolangatta is all about real food for real people….and we’re as excited as we were when the pilot of Dawson’s Creek aired #PaceyForeva.

If the name Franc Jnr sounds kinda familiar, that’s because it is. This Cooly game-changer is a reinvention of the insanely popular Francie’s (which will also make a comeback, but more on that shortly).

To refresh your memories, this place saw peeps arriving before open-o-clock still sitting at around 60^th on the night’s waitlist. Whilst this was obviously a great problem to have, it made owners Anthony and Claudia Pattinson revaluate. Anthony had an idea to pivot and create a space solely focussed on what’s important (i.e., NOT the Insta-friendly factor), and how they could help define kids’ concept of the original pizza experience; homely, honest, humble and of course, delish. Being fellow kiddos of the 90s, Jimmy Young and Carlos Lara were on board, and an old-school NY-meets-classic-Italian vibe started to take shape. Kinda like a 1950’s Manhattan pizzeria, but in 1996, open in 2022. Capiche?

Increasing oven capacity by three, Franc Jrs is ready for the inevitable onslaught of Detroit-style Sicilian pan pizza lovers. Expect the same mind-blowing flavours and incredibly light airy pizza al la Francie’s style, but more travel-friendly (a win for takeaway fans) and with a little more crisp factor. For those who fancy dining in or street side, there is seating for 50+ bods but with a much more relaxed vibe than in its past life.

Accepting walk-ins only, you’ll be immediately transported way back when, with red leather studded booths hugging ruddy wooden tables. The dark moody wood booth bases and backsplash with old-school etch detail are straight outta yesteryear, as are the brass framed paintings, leadlight lamps, and red and white checked tables.

Owner Anthony also wears the Head Chef hat and we all know we can expect nothing but the best from this pizza maestro. If you order one thing and one thing only (you won’t) then it HAS to be the authentic Sicilian Square Detroit Style Pizza. Believe us, it is phe-NOM-inal and we’re pretty sure there’s nothing else like it outside of Sicily and the States.

The Classic 13 Inch Pies definitely classify as ‘Things That Make You Go Mmmm’, and the Eggplant Parmigiana will do things to your tastebuds that have not been done before.

Healthy folk, if you want to inject some greenery, then the Fancy Greens Salad will make you feel mildly less guilty for jamming so many carbs down your gullet.

Feel free to grab a beer or wine (you don’t have to ask us twice), and to keep the cocktail drinkers happy (us), there are a key few must-haves. Do yourself a favour and order an old-school Hard Arnold Palmers, a Frozen Limoncello and naturally, the boozey version of a big hug, a Margarita – Franc Jnr style!

Before we sign off, we teased earlier that Francies will be back…and only just up the street! Set to be a more refined sibling to the loud and proud Franc Jrs, there’ll be more focus on the process with fine wines, first-class small plates and records a-spinning. Date nights come at me.

So if you’re a pizza fanatic who appreciates a traditional no-frills, bells or whistles kinda vibe, and/or you’re simply a 90s kid looking to relive their local pizzeria experience, Franc Jrs is the only name you ‘knead’ to know.

Where: 2/102 Griffith Street, Coolangatta
When: Opening early September between 4pm – 9pm Wednesday – Saturday (and then lunch 6 days a week)

Words by Bianca Trathen.

Learning to surf is pretty much a rite of passage on the Gold Coast, we’re blessed with (almost) year round warmth, the ocean right on our doorstep and of course, plenty of pumping, world-class surf breaks.

In honour of that, here are five fun spots to go surfing on the Gold Coast.

Get out there frothers.

South Stradbroke Island
Some say South Straddie is the best beach break on the Gold Coast because it’s both a swell magnet and an A-frame (a wave that breaks both ways) and those are two of the best things a wave can be. It’s a bit of a trek to get there – you have to go by boat – but once you do, you’ll be rewarded with a peaceful little slice of paradise with beach stretching for kilometres and not a structure in sight. Lovely.
Where: Across the bar from The Spit (Southport)

Burleigh Point
The waves that break off the headland at Burleigh Heads make up one of the Coast’s most-loved surf spots and when it’s on, it’s usually packed with everyone from novices to the professionals and many a photographer perched up high snapping away. The more experienced surfers jump in from the rocks to the north of Burleigh but you can also paddle out from the beach and stay in closer if you’re just learning.
Where: Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads 

Currumbin Alley
Where the creek meets the sea at Currumbin is known as Currumbin Alley and not only is it one of the most beautiful spots on the Gold Coast, it is also the perfect little surf spot for beginners and long boarders (mostly). The waves are quite mellow (surf term) and there are often lots of little people in the shallows giving it a go. If you’re keen to try surfing but haven’t yet worked up the courage, Currumbin Alley is one of the best places to start.
Where: The northern end of Currumbin Beach

Duranbah Beach
One of the most popular surf spots on the Gold Coast, D-bah as it’s known to locals is technically in Northern NSW but we will still be claiming it thank you very much. You’ll find both left and right hand waves that are generally more suited to those who have a bit of surfing experience but if that’s you, head down there even if there isn’t much swell, you’ll usually find something fun to play around on. D-bah is also a good place to just hang out and watch those in the know in action, if you’re keen to get some tips.
Where: Coral St, North Tweed

Rainbow Bay / Snapper Rocks
One of the prettiest spots on the Gold Coast, Rainbow Bay has a wave that wraps around almost to Greenmount so once you’re up you can simply (maybe not simply) cruise along for a while taking in the magical views. Snapper Rocks is on the northern side of the bay and it breaks off the point so it’s often bigger and packed with those who definitely know what they’re doing. Choose your own adventure of course, but be mindful of the more experienced surfers if you haven’t been doing it long.
Where: Rainbow Bay, Gold Coast

Of course there are plenty of beach breaks up and down the Coast if you’re just looking for somewhere more relaxed to learn and/or practice. Remember to be aware of the surfers around you and learn a few of the rules about taking waves before you take to the sea.

If surfing lesson are on the cards, Coolangatta Learn to Surf have you covered.

Happy surfing dudes.

Words by Kirra Smith

Ahh Kirra. The seaside suburb synonymous with surf, sunshine and ever-present good vibes. The breeze is balmy, the locals are all smiles and now, the smell of freshly roasted coffee beans is wafting down Churchill Street and into your caffeine-loving bloodstream.

You can thank specialty coffee creator newbies Zephyr Coffee Co. for feeding (read: amping up) your addiction and bringing completely unique blends into your orbit to alter life as you know it. Sounds dramatic but bear with us.

The cafe is a simple, relaxation-inducing space just a block back from Kirra beach ensuring salty ocean breezes aplenty on the umbrella-covered front deck. Greenery induces good vibes in the form of fancy wallpaper while the choose-your-own-adventure coffee roaster takes pride of place in the back corner.

Owner Justin has been a passionate coffee connoisseur for many moons and his idea to allow customers to roast their own take home blends is both genius and surprisingly unheard of around these parts.

He orders ‘green’ beans in from around the world and of course, creates his own roasts to make delicious cuppas for y’all while also allowing you to develop your own according to your tastes and preferences.

It’s an actual coffee addicts dream. Of course, the team also create two of their own blends – one for espressos and one for milk based coffees – for those who are all about less effort and faster swigging.

In terms of food, because we know you’re all wondering, there’s a fun range of smoothie bowls to sample, including some you’ve never seen before.

Get around the Black Bowl with charcoal, acai, banana, mango, blueberries and granola for a cooling, healthy snack. Or, if a full day at the beach has you craving carbs, definitely grab yourself a Spaghetti Bolognaise Jaffle and thank your lucky stars those bad boys came back into foodie fashion.

It’s your new favourite summer hang so head on down and get yourself acquainted.

LOCATION: 1 Churchill Street, Coolangatta
HOURS: 6am to 2pm Tuesday to Friday and 6pm to 12pm Saturday and Sunday

Words and photos by Kirra Smith