Coming Home To The OG

The Story Of Hogs Breath Cafe Airlie Beach

When Don Algie opened the very first Hog’s Breath Cafe in Airlie Beach in 1989, he wasn’t just starting a restaurant, he was creating what would become one of Australia’s most recognisable hospitality brands.

Built on a simple but powerful formula of good food, great service, and a fun, relaxed atmosphere, Hog’s Breath quickly grew from a local steakhouse into a national success story.

The Airlie Beach restaurant, affectionately known today as “The OG,” is no longer in its original location. It moved a few hundred metres down the street many years ago, but the spirit of that first store never left. Generations of locals, travellers, backpackers, and hospitality workers have passed through its doors.

A Personal Connection

In 1995, a young JP Afflick travelled to Darwin to help a friend run a Hog’s Breath Café. What started as a job became life-changing - it was there, at Hog’s Breath Darwin, that JP met his future wife.

Just 18 months later, he was given the opportunity to operate the Byron Bay store with a mate, where he remained until 2001. Even after leaving the brand, JP continued sailing with Don Algie and regularly visiting Airlie Beach, maintaining close ties with the town and the people who made the place special.

That same year marked a major turning point for Hog’s Breath when Don Algie leased the chain out for the next 20 years. But time has a way of bringing stories full circle.

Life Beyond the Restaurant

In 2010, JP began a completely different journey, entering the world of international land speed racing. Today, he is a world record holder in both the 50cc and 100cc motorcycle classes, competing on some of the most iconic salt lakes in the world.

Alongside his racing career, JP also built a successful technology business providing asset management and compliance software for the railway industry, demonstrating the same drive and long-term commitment that defined his hospitality career.

Visitors to the OG Hog’s Breath will spot part of this story on the walls, with images of JP’s race bikes on display. Soon, his 50cc world record motorcycle will return to Airlie Beach to be permanently showcased inside the restaurant - another chapter of the journey coming home.

Back Where It All Began

Fast forward to 2024.

With the Hog’s Breath brand back in the hands of the Algie family, JP Afflick recognised the significance of the Airlie Beach store - the one that started it all. A venue that has welcomed thousands upon thousands of guests, launched countless hospitality careers, and helped shape lifelong friendships and family stories.

Together with business partner Adam Zakharoff, JP purchased Hog’s Breath Café Airlie Beach, determined to honour its history while giving it new life.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

Today, the OG Hog’s Breath is focused on the same values that built the brand in the first place:

Great food. Genuine service. A place where everyone feels welcome.

It’s a legacy JP proudly shares with his longtime friend Don Algie, who can still occasionally be found at the front bar sharing a story and a beer. Adam Zakharoff plays a key role in day-to-day operations, helping steer the restaurant forward while respecting the culture that made it special.

In a world that’s changed dramatically since 1989, some things remain timeless — a good steak, a cold drink, friendly service, and a place that feels like home.

For those who remember the “old days” of Hog’s Breath, Airlie Beach is as close as it gets to stepping back into that era.

And for a new generation discovering it for the first time?

The OG is still doing what it’s always done best.

Welcome in.

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