Meatmaiden
195 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
03 9078 7747
American, BBQ
$$$
Food
- Burnt Ends Sandwich
- Beef Brisket
- Lobster Mac and Cheese
The Good
The Burnt Ends Sandwich was rather delicious. Beautifully toasted to a perfect golden brown, the mixed cuts of burnt ends within were nicely intertwined with plenty of melted cheese. The burnt ends were wonderfully crisp, with a great meaty, smokey flavour without being overly dry. Mixed with a barbeque sauce, this was one hell of a sandwich that just keeps begging for another bite.
The Mediocre
We also enjoyed the Beef Brisket, though this was markedly less spectacular. The beef itself was reasonably tender and soft, though it was definitely leaning towards the dryer side. The sauce served alongside did help with the moisture, though the smoky goodness of the meat took a back seat and wasn’t nearly as forward nor bold as we liked. The slaw and pickles served alongside were definitely tasty and refreshing, and made this an tasty, though overall unimpressive dish.
The Bad
The Lobster Mac and Cheese fell short on expectations. Despite it’s stunning appearance and topped with an actual chunk of lobster, the taste failed to match. With an exceeding amount of salt, this mac and cheese was practically devoid of all flavours except from a salty, tingly sensation that lingers long in your mouth, almost as if you’ve rubbed salt on a wound. It didn’t quite matter how good the cheese was, nor how stringy the melted, charred outer was because it was all masked by the extreme saltiness. Such a shame.
The Verdict
Our visit to Meatmaiden has been long overdue, and unfortunately we found our experience rather average to say the least.
The Burnt Ends sandwich was definitely the highlight, tasty, well balanced and affordable. Too bad the most expensive item on our meal was so poorly executed.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
The sandwiches are great for a quick bite during lunch. Otherwise, for those looking for a meaty feast, there are many better smokehouses out there to warrant a revisit.