The tables at Tee’s Takeaway used to be lined with hundreds of traditional Maori hangi meals each week, packed for workers, families, birthdays, funerals, cultural days and fundraisers.
Now the Waterford takeaway has had to pause one of its most loved menu items while it works through food business compliance requirements — but the community response has been strong and immediate.
A social media post from the family-run business drew more than 23,000 reactions and 1500 comments, with customers offering encouragement, advice and support.
Aleesha Tyrell, from Tee’s Takeaway, said the business had been making about 300 hangi meals a week before the change.
“It’s been pretty shattering because I’ve had a lot of people coming in who obviously haven’t seen the post and I’ve had to explain it,” Ms Tyrell said.
“We’re not sure where to go from here.”
The hangi meals had been part of the menu for about seven years and had become one of the business’s most popular offerings.
A hangi typically consists of meat with potatoes, pumpkin, cabbage and sweet potato steamed over hot stones for several hours to create tender food infused with a rich, smoky flavour.
Ms Tyrell said they were more than just a major seller.
“This upset wasn’t about the sales, but the service and connection it provided for our community and our people,” she said.
Tee’s Takeaway, on Nerang Street, told customers it could no longer make the meals using its outdoor cooker after a recent discussion with Logan City Council about its approved food preparation areas.
Ms Tyrell said the issue was that the outdoor area had not been approved for cooking under the business’s floor plan.
“I can have food stored there, that’s fine,” she said.
“Once I turn it on, that’s when it becomes cooking.
“No cooking or prepping outside of the floor plan — that’s what it is.”
The business said council officers had discussed possible ways to make the set-up compliant, but the options would involve significant cost, building work or changes to the site.
Ms Tyrell said the business wanted to find a workable solution with council, but space and cost were major barriers.
“They did offer a lot of solutions, but they cost too much,” she said.
In a post to customers, Tee’s Takeaway said it had no personal issue with council staff and wanted to continue working with them to find a solution.
“We have nothing against council,” the post said.
“The supervisor was actually a genuine person and tried to come up with solutions for us.”
Some customers have suggested a fundraiser or petition, while others have offered to help the business find a way forward.
Ms Tyrell said the response had shown how much the meals meant to people.
“I didn’t even realise how much it means to them until that post — seeing everyone’s comments come through,” she said.
“For me, it’s more doing it for the community.”
In a post to customers, Tee’s Takeaway said the business was staying positive despite the uncertainty.
“We don’t know what this looks like for us and that’s just the reality of it,” the post said.
“But we definitely ain’t giving up.”
“It’s not the end, just the start of a new path, and it could lead to greater things.”
Asked what she wanted the community to know, Ms Tyrell said the best way people could help was by continuing to support the business.
She said Tees Takeaway would keep trying to make every customer feel welcome.
“We just show up everyday and feed the community,” she said.
“We’re very straight up, very welcoming and we treat everyone the same.
“Even if they’re grumpy, they still walk out with a smile.”
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