Located 18 minutes of Adelaide, the Tonsley Hotel and Cellars is a mixture of sports bar and casual dining area that is split into two. Previously based on the old Chrysler factory, the Chrysler bar is quite a unique location and decor which is more Americanized than most places you expect in Adelaide. However, the room design and outdoor dining area is something that you would not expect walking into compared to the surrounding area. Walking in, you will notice the outdoor dining area which is mixed with comfort with a more formal arrangement and then walking into the Chrysler bar which is a typical sports bar. Both don’t really match up, but the sports bar has an amazing atmosphere that combines comfort and distinctiveness that you will not get anywhere else in Southern Adelaide.
The Price of the schnitty is on special on Thursday’s which is the day we go for our Schnitty runs for a cheap price of $13! The cheapest of all the schnitty’s we have consumed by some margin. However, cheaper does not necessarily mean better. The Schnitty is served with fresh garden salad with salad dressing which is a first, a dinner roll (Only the third place), a lack of chips with a inconsistent taste. The Schnitty was of a decent size that took up half of the plate, but only a slightly smaller size due to the size of the plate and piping hot gravy that was of perfect consistency, although the meal was not.
The Schnitty was not great quality. It tasted like one you could easily cook yourself where you kinda know what you are doing, but on the other hand some parts are slightly chewy and you leave crumb too oily and it sticks but doesn’t have that satisfying crunch. Compared to the Maid of Auckland, you could easily take a bite from any part of the schnitty and it would be consistent with the crumb that provides the ‘feel good’ bite that adds a whole other layer to the schnitty. Another issue was the chips, or what chips?? As the only one who can barely finish his plate for most schnitty nights, I was left hungry after the Tonsley Hotel. There were only about 10-15 chips of poor quality. Half were either coated in chicken salt, or kinda soggy where there was no crunch just like the crumb. I had no idea what each chip would taste like and I was left more confused and dissatisfied. Additionally the dinner roll was cold and slightly warm, tasted floury and was not cooked which I am not a fan of but that could be personal preference. The redeeming feature was the gravy, it was hot when it arrived, it was perfect thickness, not too watery, and not too much, just enough to slightly cover most of the schnitty and onto the chips.
The server who served us was one of the better servers I experienced, seemed like he was on the ball, yet chilled out at the same time. However, docking some points for service comes down to receiving a buzzer to pick up your food. It makes rating service more difficult as there isn’t much to judge so I am solely relying on the server and how everyone else is treated. The Upper hand for the Tonsley Hotel and Cellars is clearly the atmosphere, as most places that lack a good schnitty usually make up with their atmosphere. The sports bar adds a sense of comfort and the spacious room allows for pub goers who may be pissed to no disturb you while enjoying a scrumptious schnitty and a scotch.
Overall, similar to the Marion Hotel and Cellars, but probably better to hit it up with the lads for a few beers after a hard days work rather than a first date or a schnitty.
Ratings:
- Schnitzel 6/10
- Chips 4/10
- Gravy 9/10
- Service 8/10
- Atmosphere 9.5
Total Score 36.5/50
Schnitty Ranking: 6/8
The Schnitty boys of Adelaide 