Universal
139-141 Lygon Street, Carlton
03 9347 4393
Pub Food
$
Food
- Chicken Parma
- Schnitzel
The Good
The Chicken Parma was of course what we came here for and once again it did not disappoint. Still at a sizeable portion, the schnitzel itself has noticeably shrunk since our days at uni though still remains to be generous serve nonetheless. Topped with plenty of melted cheese and a lightly sweetened napoli sauce which well accompanied the savoury chicken itself, hidden underneath was the crisp crumbling of the schnitzel. The breading was coarse and crunchy, enclosing a a tender and juicy inner that was fresh and tasty though definitely on the thinner side.
On the side were beer batter chips that were fried to a nice golden brown, fluffy and soft inner though the outer could’ve been a tad crunchier.
The humble Schnitzel was certainly just as enjoyable and shared much of the same qualities as the parma. The mushroom sauce though was always the star of the show, but has definitely taken a noticeable hit in quality. On this occasion was much creamier and exhibited a weaker mushroom flavour than our previous visits many yonks ago. Still enjoyable no less, just a less bold mushroom flavour that what we remembered.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
With a seemingly never-ending queue running out the door, Universal has done well in establishing itself as the default haunt for those seeking an affordable yet tasty parma.
It’s been many years since we’ve stopped by at Universal, and while the quantity and quality these days may not be of the same standard that’s engrained in our memories, the price tag of this infamous “mega parma” has definitely remained at a mere $14.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
You bet. Despite the changes, Universal continues to dish up the most consistent and affordable parma we’ve come across in Melbourne. They never disappoint!