The Bull and Bear

Now this is a classy schnitzel. Not massive, but deceptively thick and quite tasty. The plate is neatly divided into schnitzel, chips and salad sections, and everything is to my satisfaction. There’s good variety in the salad, the chips are fantastic, and the schnitzel is delicious. For once, the chips aren’t stuffed underneath.

$20 is a bit to pay, but the venue is to my liking, a classy little establishment hidden away under King William Street. Not a bad place for a lunchtime or post-work schnitty and a drink.

The verdict: Not huge, but this is still a fine meal.

Taste: 4.5/5, Size: 3.5/5, Value: 3/5, Sides: 4.5/5, Dining Experience: 4/5
Overall: 78%

The Navigator’s Inn, Port Lincoln

I arrived at the hotel at night after a whole day’s driving. I was tired, I was hungry, and the only other option for dinner was a seedy looking takeaway shop across the road. And as I checked in, I was informed that it was schnitzel night at the hotel restaurant downstairs.

Well, who am I to resist fate? I made my order, dumped my bags in my room, then came back to get a taste of Port Lincoln’s schnitzel offerings.

Let’s just say, I hope there are better schnitzels elsewhere in Port Lincoln. This one was real average. For $12 I guess I couldn’t really have asked for too much – and, to be fair, the chips, gravy and salad were decent. But there was very little meat in the schnitzel.

The verdict: Not a bad little inn to stay at, and the restaurant was quite nice. Maybe I’ll go on steak night next time though…

Taste: 2.5/5, Size: 2/5, Value: 3/5, Sides: 3.5/5, Dining Experience: 4/5
Overall: 60%

The Kings Head

$10 schnitzels on Tuesday seemed like too good an offer to refuse – although it turns out you do need to buy a drink as well. The beauty of such a cheap meal is that even if it turns out to be a disappointment, at least you haven’t wasted a huge amount of money on it.

I wouldn’t exactly call this a disappointment – the chips and salad were actually terrific, and the restaurant itself is good quality – very proudly South Australian. However, the schnitty was more crumbing than meat – the photo below probably makes it seem a bit thicker than it really was.

Look, for ten bucks I couldn’t complain at all – it was a pretty good feed overall. I’ll give it another go sometime – hopefully there’ll be more chicken and less breadcrumbs next time.

The verdict: Good sides, average schnitty – pretty cheap feed though.

Taste: 3/5, Size: 2.5/5, Value: 3.5/5, Sides: 4/5, Dining Experience: 4/5
Overall: 68%

The Woolshed on Hindley

Now this was a bit of a surprise. I know you can’t judge a book by its cover, but when I found out that the Woolshed does $10 schnitzels, the word “quality” did not immediately come to mind. I was expecting, at best, a shrivelled, overcooked, deep-fried disgrace of a schnitzel, with a spattering of oven fries shoved underneath and a miserable salad thrown in for good measure.

What we got served up with, however, far exceeded my low expectations. The schnitzel was quite thick, and tasted pretty damn good (real chicken – who would’ve thought?). The chips were shoved underneath as expected, but were quite nice. And the salad was very generous, with a delicious honey-mustard dressing. For ten bucks, this is an absolute steal!

The Woolshed is actually a pretty good place to eat (albeit probably better at 6pm on a Thursday night than 10pm on a Saturday night) – gotta love smashing a good feed in an outback-themed pub.

I know happy endings on Hindley Street aren’t unusual, but this is one that anyone can enjoy!

The verdict: Seriously, get on this.

Taste: 4/5, Size: 3.5/5, Value: 4.5/5, Sides: 4/5, Dining Experience: 4/5
Overall: 80%