Local schnitzel fan brings community together for the love of schnitzels

Chicken or beef? Thick or thin? Ever wondered where to find SA’s best schnitzel? These succulent schnittys are getting rave reviews from the toughest of critics.

Micaela Stark

@MicaelaStark22

3 min read

October 4, 2021 - 9:00AM

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Lo and behold the schnitzel; one of the most versatile but divisive foods at the core of Aussie culture.

The variety on offer makes for controversy, not to mention the age old parmi-v-parma debate, but for one particular online forum this giant, crispy nugget of meat is the only discussion point.

James Pearce started the South Aussie Schnitzel Appreciation Group on Facebook in 2015 inspired by a love of schnittys.

Chicken or beef? Parmi or parma? Thick or thin? Where to get SA’s best schnitzels.

“Me and my mates would just go to a lot of pubs and a schnitzel was the go-to meal,” Mr Pearce said.

“Some places would have really good schnitzels and others would have processed garbage so I thought ‘there’s got to be a way to know where the good ones are and the bad ones are’ so that was pretty much the idea behind it all.”

The platform quickly gained traction from other schnitzel-lovers raking in around 7000 fans in the first five years of launching.

Foodies share images and grade schnitzels using colourful and descriptive language, price and overall experience.

Mr Pearce says it wasn’t until Covid hit that the page rapidly took off when most activities, besides eating, weren’t considered essential.

“Covid happened and a few years later there’s 53,000 people in the group so it just blew up,” he said.

So what makes for a truly unforgettable, or in some cases forgettable, schnitzel?

Well the group is designated exactly for that.

Fanatics, critics, new comers and die hard schnitzel lovers take to Facebook to share their experiences from restaurants, pubs and take away shops around SA in the hopes of inspiring others to taste test their discoveries.

There are some serious contenders here with each post inviting praise, objection and blatant criticism.

Check out some of the group members’ picks for where to find the best schnitzel in SA.

PEPE NERO’S

1/553 Torrens Rd, St Clair

Pepe Nero’s gigantic schnitzels fit corner to corner of your averaged size pizza box accompanied by golden thick cut fries. Call it a day and go try one of these. Picture: Tania Lobo, SA Schnitzel Appreciation Group

We present to you, the boxed schnitty.

It’s an obvious crowd favourite amongst group members with endless posts and pictures of these behemoth schnitzels that fit corner-to-corner in your average sized pizza box.

Not to mention the toppings available nor the kilo of fries scattered around the crispy golden, meat nugget, covering the entire surface of the box.

BRB, going to St Clair.

MACCLESFIELD HOTEL

31 Venables St, Macclesfield

Macclesfield Hotel has 10 gravies and sauces available as well as nine toppings. Picture: Stu McGregor, SA Schnitzel Appreciation Group

This place has received dozens of raving reviews on the South Aussies Schnitzel Appreciation Group and with a whole menu designated solely for schnitzels and toppings.

An hour drive from Adelaide will get you truly any flavoured schnitzel your heart desires with 10 gravies and sauces available as well as nine toppings like their maccy royale, hot and spicy or fatboy.

Critics assure “it doesn’t get much better”.

SPORTIVO

2/153 Brebner Dr, West Lakes

With 26 schnitzel options it would be hard to be disappointed by Sportivo at Westlakes. Picture: chicken yiros schnitzel with ham, Jake Waggenfeller, SA Schnitzel Appreciation Group

A personal favourite of South Aussie Schnitzel Appreciation Group founder James Pearce.

Once again, this restaurant is profoundly committed to SA’s schnitty lovers providing a huge menu dedicated entirely to schnitzels.

With 26 different options, priced between $22 and $29, west Adelaide’s Sportivo is highly regarded by group members for its “thick and juicy,” well portioned schnittys and receives a big tick of approval from Mr Pearce.

GUNGELLAN HOTEL

2 Gray St, Freeling

With a 4.9/5 star rating on Facebook, the reviews don’t lie. Picture: Gungellan Hotel Freeling, Racheal Lee Stevenson.

Out north, the Gungellan Hotel in Freeling has recently generated traction for its “massive” portions and delectable toppings.

“I’ve tried a lot of mushroom gravies in my time and this would have to be hands down the best I’ve had ever,” said a fan.

With a 4.9/5 star rating on Facebook, the reviews don’t lie.

DA VINCI RISTORANTE

10 O’Connell St, North Adelaide

Cafe Da Vinci North Adelaide. Picture: Tuakana Wharerau

Praised for its impeccable service and even better schnitzels, Mr Pearce says he noticed an increase in recomendations from fans visiting North Adelaide’s Cafe Da Vinci.

“The menu is huge, but make sure you ask for the schnitzel menu,” commented a member.

“It is a separate menu, called Schnitzel Factory and it has about 40 schnitzel types to choose from.”

Being labelled by some the “best schnitzel” they’ve ever had, these mammoth schnitzels are a clear crowd favourite on the South Aussie Schnitzel Appreciation Group.

MOUNT COMPASS HOTEL

36 Victor Harbor Rd, Mount Compass

Shout out to those who appreciate a classic schnitzel, plain a simple, for what it is.

Down south in Mount Compass these “massive” beef and chicken “gamer changer” schnittys have the Facebook appreciation group buzzing.

With or without topping they seem to impress.

Of equal par is the Mount Compass Golf Course which also receives many a raves by locals and those who make the trek down to see what all the fuss is about.