Get outside Burwood. You sound like the bubble you live in is really getting you down. Flemington/Homebush West gets me down sometimes too.
I have lived in Sydney my entire life and have a direct involvement with my community. Do not tell me I'm not from here.
Burwood to Ashfield is what, 3km? Oh no, you've got to go to the next suburb for a Viet bakery and a butcher. There's one there on Hercules Street (bery average banh mi) in Ashfield and true, there was one just up from it, on Liverpool Road, but they closed once the new apartment blocks were built around 2018.
There are two butchers around that area of Ashfield too, my preferred is 'B for Butcher'.
Further west of Burwood I guess the next Viet bakery is Flamin Roll. That is a classic and Vicky there is a champ. There are two butchers in Flemington too plus everyone at the friggin Markets. The bakery in Homebush is European and has never been Viet from what I can remember.
Finally, and for [This word has been automatically removed]'s sake, let's not pretend like people weren't taking cash in hand back in the 50s. My grandparent's owned one of the first European deli's in Newcastle and defo cut corners if it helped them.
Go have a sook to the ATO and police if you have an issue with your community.
Great, now this thread has turned into bakeries and butchers. Come back Brooks, all is forgiven, we have nothing left to complain about.