Shane Delia’s foray into the casual scene has resulted in Biggie Smalls. Taking cues from the rapper, there’s a heavy hip-hop theme in this venue’s music and wall art. Order at the counter, grab your number and take a seat at a cosy booth or perch on a stool in this 35-seat American-style diner.

We visit on multiple occasions, trying different items at each visit. I haven’t had fat crinkle cut chips since primary school. These crunchy specimens come herbed, and we order extra harissa mayo to go with them.

The East Coast comes with pork balls, coleslaw, pork crackling, coriander, and a spiced peanut mayo. The pork balls are bursting with juices, and there’s plenty of crackling. The coleslaw adds some refreshment to the kebab. A-Rab has lamb with smoked hummus, pickled onion, herbs, leaves and garlic yoghurt. The lamb is pulled, and though tasty, I prefer the light flavours of the pork.

I find the spiced, fried chicken in the Dirty South a little heavy. On the other hand, there’s the West Coast with its battered prawns, lettuce, cucumber, coriander, and spicy harissa mayo.

The lighting is dim and the music is loud, but if you’re after a fresh take on a kebab that doesn’t leave you feeling uncomfortably heavy, Biggie Smalls might be just the ticket.

Biggie Smalls
86 Smith St
Collingwood, VIC, 3066
(03) 9417 3531
biggiesmalls.com.au