The words “big”, “schnitzel” and “Adelaide” are inevitably followed by the word “Alehouse”, with the word “Leicester” not too far behind. The schnitties here are almost as legendary as their famed cousin on Carrington Street. I heard somewhere that the same chef has worked at both restaurants, which would make sense, as both establishments serve up renowned plate-hangers. So it was with eager anticipation that I took my seat in the bar and waited for my feast to arrive. The bar itself is a bit cramped, not the nicest place to eat. The restaurant, it must be said, is a lot better. From memory, it also boasts a small salad bar. The range of schnitzel toppings on the menu here is very impressive – from a plain schnitty with gravy, to any combination of Napoli sauce, cheese, salami, ham, pineapple, chorizo, bacon, avocado, bacon and sour cream adorning your meal. Spoilt for choice, to say the least. The service aspect was a little disappointing. We were given electronic buzzers when we ordered, which went off when our meals were ready. It was then our responsibility to get up, walk into the restaurant section and ask for our meal. A bit average, I thought. The chips were also very disappointing – they were clearly just oven fries out of the frozen section at Coles, reheated and plonked in a side dish. Salad cost extra, so I didn’t even bother.
Size-wise though, the Earl did not disappoint. Nobody finishes one of those schnitzels still feeling hungry, and I certainly walked out of the pub feeling satisfied. The actual quality was pretty good, although with a schnitzel that size, you know that it can’t be pure breast chicken that you’re eating. At $18.50, with additional charges for salad, sauces and toppings, the price was certainly at the higher end of the spectrum. But I guess such a sheer quantity of food costs money to make. The overall grade was probably diminished by the quality of sides as well as the general dining experience, but make no mistake, you can’t find too many faults with the schnitties that get served up here. It comes down to whether you prefer a quality chicken breast crumbed and fried to perfection, or whether you’re just after a monster feed. I’m happy with either, and I certainly got the latter.
Note: Smaller schnitzels are available for around $15 for the less manly man, or his lady friend.
The Verdict: That should fill me up for a while.
Taste 4/5, Size 4.5/5, Value 4.5/5, Sides 1.5/5, Experience 4/5
Total 74%
