White Cockatoo

8.2 Recommended

Food  9      Drinks  8      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  10     

You can't beat a schnitzel that takes up the whole plate, it was cooked well and the chips were nice and crisp but I just could not finish it and I eat like a Lion! I have not tried other dishes but great value for money, the place does need a coat of paint and the bar staff are fun.

Dec 08, 2011 

9.4 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Drinks  8      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  10     

For $19.50, you can get a 750g steak in either rump or T-Bone form. Many would expect it to be very tough, but after having the rump twice now, I can safely say that it is one of the best steaks out there for any amount of money. Always fun to challenge your friends to finishing your meals.

Aug 11, 2011 

7.6 Recommended

Food  7      Drinks  8      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  10     

I live just around the corner and I was perusing the reviews below and thought it might be an idea to set the scene. Put simply, the White Cockatoo is a working class pub centred in a now middle class family area.

It has pokies in the public bar as well as a pool table, pinball machines, staff can be a bit gruff at times but hey, who isn't. They pull a good beer for me, pour a good glass of red for the boss and the kid loves the fire engines.

On a Saturday night the union is typically on during the Super Rugby season or league at other times. So if you don't like sport and people who like to watch sport maybe think of somewhere else to eat.

The food is pub grub. It's not fine dining and it's run by some local Portuguese guys. Servings are big and for me, tasty. My advice on the schnitzel, keep it plain and ask for extra lemon and get the gravy on the side for the chips (or go for the salad).

We share one between us and it's enough. The t-bone is big and thick as well so if you like steak it's worth going for. This isn't the Paddo Inn nor is it McDonalds. It's a solid feed in a classic pub surrounded by an array of Inner West types, whatever that means these days.

Personally, I enjoy it. It's a good meal in a warm environment that's safe and family friendly. If you want to watch the swanees darling, nibble on an olive bruschetta washed down with a $20 glass of Pinot this is, perhaps, not your place.

Jun 04, 2011 

6.6 Recommended

Food  7      Drinks  7      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  2     

Lovely pub with a good swing band on a Thursday night. Ordered the schnitzel. Way Way Way too big. There should be some sort of advice when you buy it because it covered an entire plate and then some. We ordered Mexican and Greek. Taste was ok but I was so put off by the amount of food that I couldn't eat it and then felt guilty about the waste. Didn't know there were chickens that big. Too excessive and not necessary. Staff are friendly but I can't say it's value for money as none of us even managed a quarter of the meal so it was a waste.

Jun 03, 2011 

5.2 Average

Food  5      Drinks  8      Ambience  1      Service  8      Value  4     

As I venture in there is a large man with a striped shirt sitting at the bar making a joke about his middle finger being chopped off, bit of a clown I thought. The bar staff are a lil strange but can pour a beer. The chef is wearing a pair of plastic work safety glasses as another kitchen staff is yelling at him in what sounds to be spanish, many things spring to mind as I see this, none of them pleasant.

The schnitzel comes with toppings, once again, strange. There is a collage of mismatched, black and white cricket pictures adoning the wall above the spirit bottles and as I order a drink I ask politely for a piece of lime and am told by the boisterous bartender that the bar can not afford to buy limes, only lemons. This place is strange but amusing.

Mar 28, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  10     

Good service. Massive meals at this pub. One meal would feed two people and both people would be very full after eating there.

Sep 30, 2010 

7.4 Recommended

Food  7      Drinks  7      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  10     

Huge servings for a decent price. I had the Spanish Omelette which I could only get half way through but was very tasty and came with a basic garden salad. My Partner had the Schnitzal which she didn't rate at all (chewy and no taste). Bar staff were excellent but kitchen staff seemed rude and uninterested. Will try it again at some point because friends have raved about it.

Jun 04, 2010 

3.4 Below Average

Food  3      Drinks  3      Ambience  4      Service  3      Value  4     

Quantity is no measure for quality. I chose the fish and chips , there were two huge pieces in crumbs (same as the chicken schnitzels) half of each portion was almost raw. I considered asking for it to be re-done, however, upon tasting the cooked side of the fish I realised there was no point. It tasted of nothing, no wonder they over compensate with the garlic in the aioli as it is the only thing with any taste.

Oh had one of the schnitzels which was almost the size of a skateboard. He quite enjoyed it, but again, to me it tasted of nothing. There appeared to be no distinction in taste between the fish or the chicken! Aside from that, plates were left on the tables, glasses everywhere, looked rather understaffed for a Saturday night. The bar staff seemed good though, it's not a criticism of them.

Sorry, but I definitely won't be back. I will stick to my other local in Petersham, the Newington.

Apr 12, 2010 

7.4 Recommended

Food  9      Drinks  9      Ambience  3      Service  6      Value  10     

Yes. The schnitzels are gargantuas. You think you can eat a whole one. You watch the chef take another table's meal to them (1 plate b/w 2 adults) and you scoff. "Of course, I can finish that. What sort of wimp couldn't?" And when you're 1/4 of the way through your own schnitzel and still can't see your plate, you realise you really underestimated your schnitzel-eating ability.

The tables and chairs are basic cafeteria style, and the bistro isn't really that separate from the main, dingy, carpeted pub area. But it's a quiet place and the schnitzels are huge and tasty, a few crumbs of pure deep-fried batter that I chose to avoid in favour of the juicy chicken breast, a pile of chips and a side of lonely salad.

I ordered the plain schnitzel just with lemon and garlic mayonnaise and it was divine. I took 1/2 home and my sister and I had generous schnitzel burgers the next night. My friend got the mediterranean and was confronted by a small island of schnitzel, onion, tomato, ham and cheese about 10 cm high. Great value for money, and yummy schnitzel.

Apr 12, 2010 

3.2 Below Average

Food  2      Drinks  2      Ambience  2      Service  5      Value  5     

Had dinner here tonight. I was expecting the food to be awesome, as we had heard about the schnitzels from a few different people. My partner and I were not impressed. The dining area lacks any sort of appeal. At one end (near the kitchen where you have to order) are baby high chairs, massage chairs and a pin ball parlour machine. Which just gave the whole room a definite run-down feel. Once deciding on what to order, I went to the counter.

In front of me was raw fish and prawns on ice, surrounded by warm air coming from the ovens etc. I had to ask the cook if I can order, as he did not acknowledge me standing there. The food arrived and the serving was so large and stodgy looking we hardly ate anything. I am far from a fussy eater, but this dish was truly awful. One serve consisted of three large schnitzels, covered in melted cheese and far too many chips.

It just did not look appealing at all. I always like to try to add positive aspects on all my reviews, unfortunately, on this one I cannot. We would not return and I would not recommend this pub to our friends or people reading this review.

Feb 23, 2010