The name “Autobahn” is synonymous in Europe with long, fast open stretches of motorway and cafes that specialise in serving healthy, sustainable, and delicious food to everyone. Thanks to Erich and Margaret Dornauer, a local couple with a European background, this same recipe for success can also be found right here in two locations close to Pukekohe / Papakura townships.
The couple started the first Autobahn Cafe in August 1994. Located within the BP service centre on Mill Road in Bombay, growth in the area meant it wasn’t long before the 2nd motorway service centre at Papakura opened and along with it, in 1999, another Autobahn Café.
A year after opening, a local from Bombay, Suzanne Braks started work at the Bombay branch as a chef. After going to Pukekohe High School, Suzanne went to study and complete a Chef / Management course at AUT (Auckland University of Technology). After being a Chef at the Bombay café she progressed to managing the Papakura branch and for a good 15 years has been the Manager of both cafes. In the past 6 years Suzanne has slowly been buying in as a Shareholder. This year from April 1st 2020, Suzanne will become the new owner and operator of both Autobahn Café restaurants and is looking forward to what she sees as a culmination of a dream.
“I’ve grown up here and love the area and its people. Providing locals and travellers to our area with good quality food, at a good price and the sort of food that they want to eat is a passion of mine and the great team that I have working with me.”
Working in the industry for 24 years means that Suzanne has learnt a great deal about what people expect from their dining experience and is proud of the effort that her over 60 staff make to cater for everyone that comes to see them for the ‘Autobahn Cafe Experience’ every day.
“Our extensive range means that we can cater for everyone at any time of the day. If you have been out on the road travelling, or are heading home after a long holiday break, the last thing you want to do is have to feed everyone when you get home, we offer that ability to feed everyone in the family with a quality meal, cooked well and that is affordable, even if that is breakfast at 5pm.” laughs Suzanne.
The restaurant is open from 6am through to 10pm every day and offers everything from all day breakfasts, wraps, roast meals, kids meals, burgers, steaks, the legendary hunger buster range and even a delicious range of desserts for those just wanting to indulge their sweet tooth. They offer weekly specials and because Autobahn Cafe is part of the service centres, parking is not a problem. Combined with texting ahead to get your coffee order and the generous loyalty scheme you don’t have to limit yourself to one or two visits to sample everything on the menu!