Category: American

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American Fast Food Korean

Rainbow Fried Delights – Wollongong NSW Restaurant Review

We don’t eat at a lot of food court outlets, and the ones where we do are mostly out of desperation, rather than out of intention. Rainbow Fried Delights was an exception to this rule. The deep hankering for fried chicken, not satisfiable by their absence from His Boy Elroy’s breakfast menu, led us on a multi-level journey to actually find the location of the Wollongong Central Food Court.

We had the 8 piece boneless spicy chicken ($9.75), chosen strategically as it was one of the only options not available at time of ordering, meaning that we’d get it fresh out of the fryer a mere six minutes after we ordered.

The batter was light in texture as well as light in salting, reminiscent of a Korean fried chicken prior to it being sauced. Indeed, they offer “Korean fried chicken” separately on the menu, though I wasn’t sure how this would differ from what we had. The spiciness of this allegedly spicy chicken was very minimal, though there was an array of sauces on offer for an additional sum.

The meat was predominantly dark meat, with a bit of white meat mixed in. No bony thigh pieces were on offer (the most superior of all fried chicken cuts), and though this meant that Rainbow’s fried chicken was more user-friendly to eat, they did miss out on some optimal flavour.

Overall – consider adding to the rotation, for a less salty alternative to Chicko’s, but be aware that it’s not 1:1 comparable. I’m still searching for something to live up to the fried chicken I had on campus at uni in 2012.

Rainbow Fried Delights
L1 W216/200 Crown St, Wollongong NSW 2500

Categories
American

Mary’s – Newtown NSW Restaurant Review

The first time and only time we ate at Mary’s would’ve probably been somewhere between 2015 and 2018. I remember first hearing about the place on the now-defunct platform Zomato, (which was still alive when this blog first started), and waiting in line a non-insignificant period of time to have our promised fried chicken. Though almost ten years have passed since that visit, I still remember going upstairs, the dim lighting, the loud music – all things that were there for people who were not us. All we wanted to do was have what was allegedly very good fried chicken. And I think it was good.

Now, around ten years later, we’ve once again eaten Mary’s fried chicken, this time skipping the grunge bar vibes and consuming it from the safety of our own home. The half bird ($24) has increased in price, but remains very good, with a craggly batter. The thigh piece was really juicy and excellent, though the breast piece, less so.

The fries ($5) were fries. No better worse than those from your local global fast food chain.

The gravy ($3) was truly terrible. It had this extremely burnt taste and was nigh-inedible. I hope it was a problem with the batch rather than their standard recipe, because I would not be able to put my name to this gravy had I made it.

Overall thoughts
The fried chicken was good, but avoid the gravy. Ordering online means that you won’t have to subject yourself to the darkness and loud noises inside.

Mary’s Newtown
6 Mary St, Newtown NSW 2042

Categories
American

Yum Burger – Five Dock NSW Restaurant Review

One of the first meals we had in our new place was from Yum Burger, a convenient 0 minute walk around the corner from the Five Dock Coles, and a relatively price-conscious choice for two new mortgagees.

The Classic Aussie Burger ($12) does what it says on the tin. It features a single beef patty, a slice of American cheese, red onions, lettuce, tomato, and some barbeque sauce all sandwiched between a bun. It was of adequate size and flavour for the price – definitely a solid budget pick, but did not do anything to astound.

The hot chicken burger ($14.50) was a bit tastier, owing to the inclusion of jalapenos, chilli mayo, and hot sauce, which all matched well with its healthfully grilled chicken breast fillet. I would not mind having another right now (he says, as he has chicken in the air fryer going in the next room).

The hot chips ($4.50 – small) were thick cut and crispy but ultimately difficult to judge as I didn’t have them immediately after they were cooked (I finished my shop first).

Thoughts
The fit out is sleek, clean, and modern, clearly updated in the last few years comparing its current appearance to old photos from Google Maps, though a bit of the pictorial information has been lost from the backlit menu board.

Unfortunately there’s no double patty option on the menu – even the even the “man burger” option announces its manliness through a lack of vegetables and the addition of bacon, but no extra beef patty. Though the portions of meat in the burgers were adequate, a bit of extra meat often goes a long way, and something I feel many wouldn’t mind paying for.

The people working there seem to be the owners however so I suspect they have a bit of latitude when it comes to off-menu additions.

I’ll probably be back.

Update October 2025

I was walking buy and saw an ad out for fried skewers. I had 5 lamb skewers for $7, not really knowing what they would be like. They ended up being less Chinese than I expected them to be (to be fair, there was nothing really indicating Chineseness apart from the guy who runs the store being Chinese), though not completely non-chinese.

The meat was juicy and mostly lean, with one fatty bit but overall less fatty than most Chinese skewers. The flavour was umami with a slight hint of sweetness and saltiness – difficult for me to put my finger on, but definitely not the chilli and cumin that I had hoped (with no good reason to). Not the best, but definitely inoffensive and good value.

Yum Burger
Shop 5/133 Great N Rd, Five Dock NSW 2046

Categories
American

Butterball BBQ Chicken – Earlwood NSW Restaurant Review

I don’t remember the exact set of circumstances that led to me getting an $18 burger and fries right after spending like $100 at the slightly upmarket grocery store across the road, but I did it and didn’t regret it.

The dirty bird ($18), with two pieces of fried chicken, bacon, onion, pickles, peri aioli and a maple glaze was fat, delicious, and juicy. Potentially could only be optimised or ruined (you’re welcome to your opinion on this one) with the addition of pineapple, which I do not believe was on offer.

What really wowed me, even outside of the really good burger, were these chips. I don’t know how or what they did, but they were just so good. So crunchy, and not just immediately crunchy, but even crunchy after a 10 minute drive home. Absolutely delicious, I can still taste them six months later.

Butterball BBQ Chicken
1/8-10 Clarke St, Earlwood NSW 2206
(02) 7209 5460

Categories
American

Flame House Co – Campsie NSW Restaurant Review

I actually had a great Portuguese style grilled quarter chicken here like a year ago that I clearly forgot to write about, but let me now tell you about this excellent burger I had recently.

This Fried Chicken Slaw Burger ($13) was one of the best chicken burgers that I’ve had in recent memory. The chicken was thick and juicy, deep fried fresh to order, which is the only way that you can achieve such a perfectly crispy exterior. The slaw was your average mix of carrot and cabbages, but swimming in a rich creamy mayo that seemed to amplify the creaminess of the slice of American cheese which melted under the heat of the chicken patty soon after this photo was taken. The buns were oiled and grilled on the outside, making it a mess on the hands to eat, but absolutely delicious and probably awful for those watching their macros, as well as anyone a mere five days after their laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The pickles were present and yummy but not out in force today. I will ask for extras next time.

Very solid.

Flame House Co.
Clemton Park Shopping Village. 60 Charlotte St, Campsie NSW 2194
(02) 8084 7314