It’s everyone’s fave pub classic – chicken parmigiana – a dish so widely loved it has its own nickname!
Whether you call it a ‘parma’ or a ‘parmy’, there is no doubt Aussies have fallen in love with chicken schnitzel, covered with tomato sauce and topped with melted cheese.
The origins of the dish do go back to old Italy, where it was originally made with eggplant and not chicken, as poultry was too expensive for most households. Once Italian immigrants arrived in America, they discovered meat was cheaper and more widely available, resulting in many Italian dishes such as meatballs and parmigiana being made with chicken.
However you top it, there is a parmy out there for everyone…here are five restaurants to find the best parmy in town:
Oldest Operating WA Hotel
Located on leafy Swan Street in Guildford, the historic Rose & Crown Hotel was built in 1841 and is ideally situated at the gateway to the State's Swan Valley region. Long a welcome resting place for travellers and visitors, this watering hole is WA’s oldest operating hotel among only a handful of original country classic Georgian pubs in Australia.
Set on 2.5 acres, the stately venue commands a prominent position alongside a variety of shops and cafes on the street; stop in for an icy brew and delve into pub classics such as wood-smoked chicken parmigiana, with parma ham, dirty potatoes, jalapeños and spinach.
Cosy Up by the Fire with a Parmy
Discover a slice of England in the heart of Launceston at Cock ‘n’ Bull British Pub on Wellington Street. This well-loved local watering hole is the place to head to cosy up by the fire in the upstairs dining area during chilly months, while downstairs is full of tradition with patterned carpet and wooden table settings setting the scene for family get-togethers over a classic pub menu.
Begin with bread hot from the oven, smothered with housemade pesto and melted cheese; before pub favourites such as golden crumbed free-range chicken breast topped with Napoli sauce and cheddar cheese, served with vegetables and mash, or chips and salad.
Four Parmys to Choose From
Outstanding value, meals and service are on the menu at the Geelong RSL bistro on Barwon Heads Road in Belmont. From a simple parmy with a couple of mates through to gourmet Porterhouse and Scotch fillet steaks, dining here is a true culinary experience catering for a wide range of tastes and styles in a spacious dining room that is warm and inviting.
There are four parmys to choose from – Aussie with BBQ sauce, bacon and egg; Hawaiian with Napoli, ham, cheese and pineapple; traditional with Napoli, ham and melted cheese and Mexican, served with corn chips, salsa, guacamole, sour cream and cheese.
Well-loved Local Hangout
For all-day café fare with flair, head along Merlyn Street in North Coburg to find That Coffee Shop. This well-loved local hangout is light, bright and breezy indoors, with greenery adorning the walls, exposed brick and monochromatic artwork setting the scene for catching up with family and friends over brunch and lunch dishes.
Join a lively lunch crowd for hand-crumbed chicken breast, topped with ham, cheese, housemade Bolognese sauce, fries and a side salad; or devour an old-fashioned beef burger with cheese, pickles, tomato, lettuce, bacon, mustard and tomato sauce.
Family-friendly Hotel and Bistro
When passing through the Southern Cross and Goldfields region, the Club Hotel on Antares Street is a must-stop destination. This family-friendly hotel welcomes travellers, day-trippers, locals and visitors from all over the world whether for a delicious meal, thirst-quenching drink from the artisanal brewery or staying over at one of 15 newly renovated hotel rooms.
Salt and pepper squid makes for an ideal start to a pub classic meal, followed by chicken parmigiana served with chips and salad or mash and vegetables; or hook a plate of beer-battered fish, seasoned chips, mixed salad and housemade tartar sauce.
