The House of Schnitzel is a relatively new franchise that has attached itself to half a dozen hotels and taverns across the country. Extending on Australia’s favourite pub meal, the House of Schnitzel offers 30 different variations of the crumbed delights. Available in beef, chicken or pork, the meat used is of a premium quality and free of hormones and antibiotics (that’s right, I won’t grow breasts after eating here!).

I visited the House of Schnitzel at the Links Hotel on Tapleys Hill Road. While it doesn’t look like much from the outside, I was pleased to see there was plenty of parking out front. As you enter the establishment, you hit the bar area with outdoor seating to the right and the dining area to the left. There are also pokie machines and betting facilities if you’re that way inclined. The decor is very 80’s with neutral cream colour tones and daggy patterned carpet throughout. The faux leather seating gives it some elegance, but there just isn’t enough natural light flowing into the dining area. There is a focus on being family friendly with playground facilities and the offer of kids eating free on particular nights. The place is considerably spacious and could easily seat over 100 people.

Today, I ordered the Yiros Schnitzel. The meal arrived after a 15 minute wait and was average in presentation. The schnitzels here come in 3 sizes (mini, midi and mega). I ordered the mega size and was expecting something a bit bigger. I wouldn’t have called it “mega” but more “midi”, the medium size. The boomerang shaped schnitzel varied in thickness with both ends being about an inch thick, while the middle was considerably thin. Some parts of the chicken were juicy and succulent, while other parts were slightly over cooked. The lamb was lean and well marinated, while the tomatoes and Spanish onion were fresh and crisp. The schnitzel was covered in a creamy garlic sauce. While it tasted good, I felt it could have done with a bit more garlic and a little less olive oil. This would have given the sauce a slightly thicker consistency. The yiros ingredients and the schnitzel would have tasted good seperately, however, when combined, I felt it was all a bit of a novelty rather flavours working in harmony. The chips were nice and crunchy but way over salted.

One of the benefits of this place is the “all you can eat” salad bar which includes a selection of hot dishes. In need of a vegetable fix, I started off with the Garden Salad. The vegetables were fresh and crisp, although it could have done with some dressing.

The Roast Pumpkin and Carrots were delicate and full of flavour. There was a natural sweetness which came from the vegetables and some of the herbs used were visibly present.

The staff were friendly and the service was good. The atmosphere was relaxed and the pricing is fair. I’ve been to venues where their mega schnitzel has been a lot bigger, but I’m also paying more for the privilege. The whole House of Schnitzel concept is an interesting one, however, I feel there are just some toppings that don’t belong on a schnitzel. Yiros toppings are definitely one of them.

WHERE: 346 Tapleys Hill Rd, Seaton