The Royal Hotel Queanbeyan’s rib eye named as serving Australia’s best pub steak
A nationwide search for Australia’s best pub steak by a comedian and a team of food judges has crowned a venue that used to be known as “the worst pub in town” a winner.
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A comedian on a very serious quest for the country’s best pub meals has named The Royal Hotel Queanbeyan as having the best steak in Australia.
Hotel owner Anthony McDonald said the award was the culmination of years of hard work, having taken over “probably the worst pub in town” in 2014 and transformed it with two major renovations since.
“Having a good steak, and being known for a good steak was always something we thought was crucial to the pub,” he said.
Mr McDonald said there were no secrets to the 400g rib eyes that head chef Beau Ettlin and his team turn out of the kitchen, with the name of their butcher – the Bungendore Butchery – proudly on the menu.
“Food is our core business,” he said.
After receiving thousands of entries, a team of judges from Fat Yak brewing and comedian Harley Breen travelled the country to taste test the meals that got the most votes.
Mr McDonald said just getting through to the final rounds was a testament to the hotel’s loyal patrons.
“We’re just an everyday NSW pub, we could never have imagined that our humble little steak would receive so much attention.”
Mr Breen said: “I’ve met some amazing characters along the way and tasted the best pub dishes our nation has to offer.”
“The final decision was not an easy one, but I’m confident we’ve unearthed the very best of the best.”
The Royal Hotel crew will be serving up steaks at a promotional event in Melbourne until November 6, alongside the best burgers, fish and chips, pork ribs and chicken parmigiana.
