Our colleague from India is moving interstate to Victoria, and asked us for a suggestion of the pinnacle of Western cuisine to try in Sydney before he leaves. This was my friend’s suggestion. This review is from a visit to the Drummoyne store, but I assume can be applied broadly to any of the outlets in the chain.
The half chicken & chips ($15.90) was actually quite good. The chicken was very similar in flavour profile to that of a rotisserie chicken from Coles or Woolworths, but much moister and fresher. Charlie’s advertised smoke-free charcoal cooking technique did produce a less burnt product than for example El Jannah, whilst still retaining some charcoal flavour.
The chicken roll with mayo and gravy ($13.90) was very moist and flavourful, with enough tomato and lettuce inside to create a sense of healthiness similar to that of a KFC twister.
Full disclosure, I had this charlie’s chop salad ($7.90) after a day in the fridge. One of the problems I faced ordering at Chargrill Charlie’s was that very few of the online reviews actually mentioned anything about the chicken. Most reviewers raved only about the salad, but again without any direction as to which one to get. This was fine. I think it would’ve been bette rwarm.
I’d never had Chargrill Charlie’s before. It seems like Red Rooster for the Harris Farm crowd. The quality was pretty good, but I don’t know that I’d recommend it to a visiting cardiologist, dignitary, or ex-teen heartthrob Justin Bieber as a representation of peak Australian cuisine.
I’ve also been informed by my friend that her peak recommendations for this place are: “marinated chicken drumstick” and “avocado vinagarette salad”, and that I ordered the wrong thing.
Chargrill Charlie’s Drummoyne
172 Lyons Rd, Drummoyne NSW 2047