One Perth bistro is proving that good pub grub doesn’t need to exclude anyone.
Popular sports bar The Morley Local, situated in Perth’s north-east, has unveiled a monumental new menu that has removed all traces of gluten from their best-selling dishes.
The Walter Road West venue announced the change on their social media pages last Thursday.
“We’re proud to say that every ingredient on our new menu is labelled gluten free, giving you more choice and greater peace of mind when dining with us,” the post read.
“Whether you’re avoiding gluten or simply looking for a delicious meal, there’s something for everyone.”
The menu revamp now means that people with coeliac disease and gluten intolerances will be able to enjoy their entire range of burgers, schnitties, and sides.
Co-owner Jacob Van Bavel told PerthNow the idea for the menu change followed renovations to their sports bar — which now includes golf and darts simulators.
“We did some renovations a while ago to turn the sports bar into a ‘sports bar on steroids’ — so now doing renovations on the bistro side, we were thinking of what we can do to make The Morley Local unique,” he said.
“We found that everywhere has gluten free options, but they’re not completely gluten free.
“We asked around, did some homework, and realised there was no loss or downside to this menu change.”
The Morley venue has sourced all ingredients from local gluten-free specialists in Perth, including The Gluten Free Lab and Little Home Bakery.
Co-owner Ryan Davis said the bar was thrilled to have the support of other Perth businesses, who are helping to bring their gluten-free vision to life.
“They’re the loveliest people and everyone who comes in from their company has just been starstruck by the menu, saying ‘this is why we do it,” Mr Davis said.
“To have that kind of support from other local companies has been awesome.”
He revealed the mission is extra personal for the co-owners, with Jacob’s mother unable to eat gluten.
“Jacob knows first-hand how hard it is to be able to go out and just have the confidence to be able to eat anything,” Davis said.
“If you’re coeliac or gluten intolerant, then just being able to eat something knowing there’s no risk of cross contamination completely changes the game.”
Camera IconJacob Van Bevel and Ryan Davis, co-owners of the Morley Local. Credit: Neal Maidment
Coeliac and gluten free diners from across the metropolitan area were quick to praise the eatery online for the inclusive change.
“Absolutely unheard of in a pub, I’m stoked as a local coeliac — well done,” one local wrote.
“So thrilled to have a gluten free menu like this nearby,” another Perth diner said.
“This is incredible, will definitely come for dinner and check you guys out,” a third person wrote.
Mr Davies said the public reaction inside the restaurant had been even more touching.
“I can’t even put the reaction into words . . . the gratitude from the entire Perth coeliac community has just been unreal,” he said.
“When people come up and ask what is gluten free and we can say, ‘The whole menu’, you quite literally see their face light up like a toddler on Christmas Day.
“Customers also knowing there’s no chance of cross contamination — it just completely changes things for them.
“It’s been the best part of the entire experience, the reaction and response has made us never want to put gluten in the kitchen again.”
Coeliac disease affects approximately 1 in 100 Australians, according to the WA Department of Health.
However, 4 out of 5 people living with coeliac disease are undiagnosed — meaning there are around 160,000 Australians who have the disease but don’t know it yet.