Pinnacle Pub’s Andrew Guthrie slams Karl Stefanovic’s schnitzel whinge

The man behind a North Queensland pub famous for crumbed steaks the size of a newborn baby is furious people are jumping on Karl Stefanovic’s ‘bandwagon’ after he said a club had ‘lost the plot’ over its overpriced counter meals.

A Mackay publican is furious people are jumping on the “bandwagon” to slam counter meal prices after Karl Stefanovic had a whinge on live TV.

Today Show host Stefanovic blasted a Sydney’s Five Dock Bowling Club on Tuesday saying it had “lost the plot” for charging $28.90 for a chicken schnitzel with a side of baked veggies, with fries costing an extra $6.90 and a side salad setting you back $8.90.

Andrew Guthrie, who co-owns the iconic Pinnacle Family Hotel west of Mackay – famous for its treasured homemade pies and crumbed steaks as large as a newborn baby – said he was sad to hear Stefanovic’s rant had tainted public opinion.

“People don’t realise that the costs of everything has gone up and we’re the poor silly bugger that has got to say, ‘Sorry guys, we’ve had to put the meals up and salads are actually $3 now, they’re not free’,” Mr Guthrie said.

“We’re not capitalising and murdering people with price increases.

“We’re actually pretty fair in reality.”

Sarah Atkins shared this photo of her baby daughter Jorja, alongside the epic crumbed steak at the Pinnacle Pub.

Mr Guthrie, who also owns the pub O’Shea’s in Walkerston, said he was tired of customers “getting on a bandwagon” and paying out on pubs.

“You pay $26 for a beautiful fresh parmigiana, you’re paying $28.95 now – big deal,” he said.

He said hospitality was “bloody hurting” and it had gutted him to raise the price of beers by 40 to 50 cents a schooner.

“A million things have gone up in price,” he said.

“Insurance, alcohol, licensing fees, fuel.

“Cooking oil – 46-odd-bucks 12 months ago, then it went to 86, now it’s well over 116 for a barrel of oil for the good quality canola oil.

“As everybody knows, every single thing in life in the past 12 months has gone through the roof.

Karl Stefanovic says Sydney has ‘lost the plot’ over its chicken schnitzel prices. Picture: Today

“So it’s sad when you read things like (Stefanovic’s comment) and as a business owner, people just don’t come in anymore.

“If five per cent of people read (his comment) and believe that, we lose five per cent of customers.

“We rely on bums on seats, that’s the old saying.

“Don’t be afraid to go to the pub because at the end of the day, a schooner isn’t $10 a glass like they’ve been advertising.”

What do you think about pub prices? Comment below