ABOUT MASON DIXIES SOUTHERN KITCHEN
OK - WHAT IS SOUTHERN FOOD ?
The rich and varied cuisines of the Southern United States are perhaps the most recognizable across the nation. Based on the culture and traditions of the states that sit below the famed Mason Dixie Line, the standard boundary in the collective minds of Americans that separates what was and still is the South from the North. This is how I came to the name, Mason Dixies and it just suits what I’m doin’ here.
Influenced over time by many ethnicities and nationalities, the cuisines of the South are enriched by time – honored traditions and techniques that are learned in the kitchen of the home, rather than through formal culinary training and recipes. The older and traditional Southern cookbooks that do still exist are rare and often hold a deep reverence for their owners and families. Southern food is full of history, personal pride and is always cooked with love and generosity.
Southern food is a unique blend of ingredients and techniques passed down from generation to generation. More than just food, it’s truly a way of life that is deeply rooted in history, culture, and pride. Traditional Southern & Soul food can be hard to define, but there are some characteristics that are consistent in all Southern dishes. Buttermilk biscuits (scones) with Sausage Gravy, Pinto Beans with Ham, Beans with Bacon,Sweet & buttery Hot Water Cornbread, Fried Bologna sandwiches, Peach Cobbler and Sweet Mint or Peach Iced Tea are all food and drink that conjure up images of the American South.
I am “Chef” Gino and the proud of owner of Mason Dixies. You’ll see from the gitgo that I just adore the South with all of its colorings, excesses and eccentricities. Especially the food, honey. Oh, yes. Originally from Brooklyn New York City in the U.S.A., I lived for many, many years in lovely Kansas City, located in the Heartland of America. From there, I spent many years travelling throughout the South, a part of the country that immediately captured my heart and mind.
As a “Northerner” and a “Yank”, I was often not welcome and had to “fight” my way through to get “a place at the table”, so to speak. If they thought I was going to just back down and give up, they were so wrong as they soon found out that I seldom obey words like No, Can’t, Won’t & Don’t. I was absolutely determined to learn how to cook this wonderful food and single – mindedly pursued it by working long, hard hours and learning everything that I could get my hands on about Southern and Soul food cooking. Many people, mostly older women, showed me the old ways of doing things and I soaked it up like a sponge.
All this paid off over the years, as I became an experienced culinarian, with many folks regarding me as somewhat of an “honorary Southerner” along the way. A big, loud “Yank” takes on the cookin’ of the Good Ole’ South. I thought, “Oh, Lord have Mercy…what have I gone and done now?”
Well, don’t y’all worry nothin’ about it, because I’m fixin’ to do the Land of Dixie proud from right here in little ole’ Melbourne Australia. I’m so looking forward to bringing the rustic, authentic and heartwarming flavors of the South from my Mason Dixies kitchen to your table, honey. That’s what you’re paying for, and so you’ll have it – just good ole’ country cookin’, honey.
When y’all come to Mason Dixies, prepare to be treated as a GUEST in my home and not as an anonymous transaction. Literally, because the Mason Dixies kitchen is actually located in my Taylors Hill, Victoria home. I’ll always make sure that you’re given a warm greeting and gracious hospitality. So, please – just come as you are. Nothing simpler.
I absolutely refuse to adapt the cuisine to suit local Australian tastes, as I’ve seen many so called “American” restaurants do here. That would take away the very essence of what makes this food so classically good and it’s just great as it is, anyway. So, ain’t none of this nonsensical “America meets Aussie” fusion food or cross – cultural culinary interpretation mess going on. No, baby, we ain’t even playin’ that. It’s real or it ain’t nothin’ y’all.
So y’all come by and pick yourself up somethin’ new and delicious to eat. I promise that you’ll be back for more.
At Mason Dixies, Food, Family & Friends all equal Love - so come just as you are. Welcome to our little Southern kitchen and our Home.
Welcome to MASON DIXIES SOUTHERN KITCHEN
Mason Dixies Southern Kitchen is a unique Home – Based Take Away restaurant specializing in the cuisines of the Southern and Midwestern United States. We’re located on a residential street at 24 Glenelg Boulevard, in Taylors Hill, Victoria.
While this may come across as somewhat of an unconventional food service concept, we are very much a fully licensed and registered food business, meeting and even exceeding the compliances as set forth by both the Melton Council Planning Scheme Clause 52.11, sections 1 & 2 and various State of Victoria ordinances and guidelines.
Just so you know, food premises within the State of Victoria and Melton City Council are given a classification of 1, 2, 3 or 4. Retail premises are food businesses that sell direct to the public. Premises that fall under Class 2 include restaurants, fast food outlets, pubs, caterers, delicatessens, supermarkets with delicatessens and cafes.
Mason Dixies Southern Kitchen is classified as a Class 2 Home – Based Food Retailer, requiring that we meet and continually follow all State and Council food safety compliances and guidelines, including having an approved food safety program in place. Our owner, Siraj Amir Tariqsanov, is the current Food Safety Supervisor (FSS) in residence.
Keeping with and abiding by these standards and mandates ensures that the food we prepare for you is of the highest quality and safe.
Our current Melton Council Food Premises registration is F2024 / 0942 and is valid through 31 December 2025. Our Melton City Council food business registration is MELT – 1051819.
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Come and join us for authentic down home Southern country cooking and warm, gracious hospitality.
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WE’RE OPEN FROM 12:00 NOON – 8:00 PM EVERY DAY INCLUDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
TAKE AWAY FOOD ONLY: Mason Dixies offers Take – Away food orders and Pick – Up Catering services only. Sit – down dining on the premises is not permitted by Melton Council ordinance.
OUR LOCATION: Our home – based Take Away restaurant is located at 24 Glenelg Boulevard in Taylors Hill in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
When coming down Glenelg Boulevard, look for a light yellowish brick home with a black fence and a green garage door. When arriving, you’ll see a street facing window that has a bright yellow and black drawing of a Chef with an American flag underneath it. Other yellow and black YUMMY food signs will be out on display as well.
We are conveniently located just a few minutes from the Aquagardens and Watergardens Shopping Centres, Kings Road, Hume Drive, and the Calder Freeway.
ORDERING: For those guests who are driving to visit us, please telephone 0403132290 and place your order no earlier than 15 minutes prior to your anticipated arrival so your food can be ready. Walk – In Guests are most welcome and can place their food order on arrival at our restaurant without needing to call ahead. While your meal is being prepared, seating is available inside for your comfort.
This policy is necessary to ensure that Mason Dixies stays in compliance with State of Victoria ordinances as well as the Melton Council Planning Scheme, Clause 52.11 – 1, which requires that home – based businesses must not adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood in any way. We apologise for any inconvenience regarding this. Also, we do not accept any food orders placed by either Text / SMS messages or E – mail.
ON STREET & DRIVEWAY PARKING: For Mason Dixies guests, on street parking is available on Glenelg Boulevard and you can also park in our driveway.
PAYMENTS: Payments in person can be made with Cash, Credit / Debit card. E.F.T. & Pay To Pay I.D. We will not be able to accept credit card payments cover the telephone.
PICK – UP CATERING: Needing to feed a hungry crowd at Work, Home or for a Holiday and don’t want to cook? We also offer convenient Pick – Up Catering. Please call us for details and a pricing quote.
DRESS CODE: A strict “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service” policy applies to all. For your health and safety, you must be wearing footwear on the premises, such as shoes, slippers or thongs / flip – flops.
NO PUBLIC RESTROOM: No public restroom is available. We apologise for any inconvenience.
ALCOHOLIC DRINKS: Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the premises.
NO SMOKING OR VAPING: Mason Dixies is a completely Smoke – Free establishment.
CASH ON HAND: No cash is kept on the premises.
DOGS: Your dogs are welcome to play off leash in our large, fully fenced back yard and covered deck. Water will be provided for your pets and both you and your loveable pooches can enjoy a nice private and relaxing space.
Please note that you are responsible for your dog and its behaviour while on my property. As the home owner and an avid dog lover myself, I strongly encourage that your dog be obedience trained, desexed, have all current required vaccinations and shots and be currently registered with the local Council.
Please pick up after your dog. Victoria law mandates that it is your responsibility as a dog owner to clean up after them outside of your property. Any mess made on public land or in someone else’s yard may result in a fine. Poo bags and a disposable receptacle bin will be provided for you. Please know that I am not liable in any way for your dog’s behaviour or welfare while they are on my property.
NO STOPPING OR PARKING ON NATURE STRIPS: The current Victoria Road Safety Road Rules 2017, Regulation 197, clearly states that motor vehicles must NOT ever stop or park on a nature strip or footpath for any reason, even for a moment. There are very good reasons for this regulation, which are:
1. Because important utilities are underneath the surface of nature strips, it is illegal across all of Melton Council and the State of Victoria to park on nature strips, as it can cause damage to utility connections and prevent access to these utilities, especially in an emergency.
2. Parking or stopping your vehicle on nature strips obstructs the view of drivers and pedestrians entering and exiting driveways, which poses an immediate safety issue, first and foremost.
Motorcycles can park on a footpath, unless posted signs state they cannot. Motorcycles on the footpath also must not obstruct pedestrians or driveway access points. Bicycles are exempt from this regulation.
Please be aware that Victoria Police and Council local law enforcement officers do monitor and patrol this neighbourhood often now. Penalties can range between $111.00 – $182.00 for each offence.
OK, Y’ALL, ACT RIGHT & PLAY NICE: Besides serving y’all great Southern food, Mason Dixies is a friendly and very hospitable place. You will always be welcomed warmly and treated as a Guest in my home. Folks just need to be looked after and many businesses these days seem to have forgotten this.
In this frenzied, overloaded and distracted “Digital Age,” old fashioned courtesy, respect, manners, and kindness still very much matter. Look, honey, I was raised right and I know y’all feel very much the same as I do. After all, we invest the time in teaching these core values to our children, don’t we? Well, as adults, we need to remember this and lead by example. Just saying a warm “Hello” or “Good Morning” to a stranger in passing may be all that it takes, because we just don’t ever know what someone else is going through, do we? So, let’s each do our part in looking out for one another. Simple, ain’t it, y’all? Yep.
Having said all that, as owner of Mason Dixies, I absolutely reserve the right to refuse service to or even trespass ANYONE, including those under 18 years of age, who choose to use crude, profane, abusive or disrespectful language OR who display ANY KIND of disruptive behaviour. So, don’t even think for a second about acting up in here, cause I ain’t playin’ that,y’all. Not in my house. Ever.
MASON DIXIES SOUTHERN KITCHEN
TELEPHONE: 0403132290
ADDRESS: 24 GLENELG BOULEVARD TAYLORS HILL, VICTORIA
DAYS & HOURS: OPEN EVERY DAY FROM 12:00 NOON – 8:00 PM INCLUDING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
INTERNET: WWW.MASONDIXIES.COM.AU
E – MAIL: [email protected]
NEED YUMMY SOUTHERN FOOD FOR FOLKS AT WORK, HOME, A CASUAL GATHERING OR A SPECIAL OCCASION? CALL US FOR PICK – UP CATERING!