nutbush schnitty limits

Good pub schnitzel is just one of those things. Like a cool breeze on a hot summer night, or finding 10 bucks in those boardies you haven’t worn since last summer – a decent schnitty fills up your tank for days. Here’s four places you can go for a bit of poultry sunshine on a plate.

Words Duncan Rintoul, Simon Nutt, Kate O’Mealley, Roger Fitzhardinge

The Balgownie Hotel, Balgownie

The sign outside the Bally Hotel notes that, in the pre-1950 era, it was renowned for sponsoring successful clay-quoits teams. These days, a recent refit has brought the latest tech to this iconic local pub – the NFC beacon! After ordering and paying at the table, the schnitty arrived quickly, piping hot. The Bally Schnitz passes the ʻas big as your face’ test (shnit-face test?). Flecks of pepper through the crunchy crust bring some zing, but the pepper sauce takes it to a whole new level. Variations on the Bally schnitty are the parmy or the ABC topper (avo, bacon and cheese with hollandaise). Like Brokers Road, the $20 is steep, but you won’t regret the Bally schnitz. RF

North Gong Hotel, North Wollongong

It’s a big call naming the pub favourite the ‘ultimate’ schnitzel, but when everyone in sight is ordering it… well, maybe there’s some truth in it. A healthy portion of chicken, gently rolled in panko crumbs and herby goodness, plus some freshly steamed greens and corn on the cob (nothing frozen here!), the North Gong can confidently claim a strong schnitty offering. Upside: Get your schnitty on Wednesdays for just $7.50! Downside: Paying for sauce – ouch, that’s a sting in the tail. KO

The Beaches Hotel, Thirroul

With heaps of seating (inside and out), live music and an extensive tap list, there’s a lot to love about this northern light. Schnitties flow hot and strong here, particularly on Thursday nights when they’re a steal at 2 for 1.The stand-out feature isn’t the schnitzel itself – which is good, mind you – but the salad that comes with it. It’s got a distinctly Mexican vibe: beans, grains, baby corn, finely diced tomato, Spanish onion, and a few bits of greenery I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Not over the top though – just delicately awesome, and enough to elevate the schnitty offering from solid effort to solid gold. DR

Five Islands Hotel, Cringila

Well, look what we have here! Nowhere to be seen are the ‘Sex bomb waitresses’ and ‘Daddy Daycare’ signs of the Cringila Hotel from days gone by.This old industrial gem has had a fresh major makeover, and they didn’t forget the kitchen. Pull up a booth and soak up the ambiance adjacent to Five Islands Road while enjoying a succulent chicken schnit and your choice of sauce. Often overlooked, you gotta give a big tip of the cap to the nicely seasoned fries and salad. Smashed it all except the cucumber.The $12 Wednesday deal is super value.Well played FIH. SN