The Chiko Roll was developed by Francis McEnroe, a boilermaker from Bendigo in Australia. It is a hot savoury snack that first appeared at the Wagga Show in 1951. The Chiko Roll consists of boned mutton, cabbage, rice, barley, celery, carrot and spices in an edible tub which is deep-fried.

Chiko Roll (Photographer James Cole)

By 1965 the Chiko Roll was available in most restaurants and fish and chip shops throughout Australia. The item can now be found, frozen, in supermarkets as well as Australia-wide. At the time of McEnroe’s death in 1979 Australians consumed 40 million Chiko Rolls annually.

With Chiko Rolls target market, young and hungry men it has gained a reputation since the 1950s for their advertisements featuring female models in suggestive posses straddling motorbikes. One of the first slogans to be used was a clever sexual innuendo, “You can’t knock the roll.”

You can’t knock the roll Advertisement (Image property of Simplot Australia Pty Ltd)

Latter, a leggy and busty blond featured in a campaign sitting on a Harley-Davidson, with her hand holding a Chiko Roll, suggestively placed near her thigh. After complaints from the public, the poster was withdrawn.

Later in 2001 they were using the slogan, “Grab a Chiko” in combination with various suggestive images.

By the early 2000s the posters had become collectors' items. Originals in good condition today fetch large sums.

Chiko Roll Exhibit at Wagga Museum (Photographer James Cole)

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