Petersham Charcoal Chicken

On my sister's recommendation Dad, my brother, sister and I went to Petersham Charcoal Chicken the other night for dinner. It specialises in portuguese style churrasco (BBQ).

We had ordered (in order of how I would rate the dishes):

1. Hand cut chips - these were no ordinary chips - thinly sliced like crisps but enough of a thin pillow of potato to offset the crunchy outer layer. These were very addictive and we were all Ho-ing into them quite literally. Eating potato chips won't be the same. My sister advised you can not order the chips takeaway, so they are only a dine-in option.

2. Steak on a large skewer - We asked for this to be cooked medium-rare. My brother and sister rated it highly but Dad and I found our bits a bit chewy mainly because it was more on the rare side. The flavour was quite good though - smokey tasting.

3. Chilli portuguese chicken - The chicken had a really nice crusty skin. My Dad thought the chicken was dry compared to the way he roasts a chicken. However, compared to your ordinary BBQ chook it wasn't. My sister and her husband love the chicken so it's pretty good!

4. Salad - There was alot of dressing but it helped cleanse the palate from all that meat!

I wouldn't mind returning to try the steak, covered with a mound of those chips of course. The 4 of us were checking out what other tables were ordering (as a foodie family does) and we were wondering why people were ordering just a plate of chips, but as we discovered there was steak underneath. You can also order it with ham and egg on top.

The family next to us started talking to us as we think the husband was amused that an asian family were sitting in a portuguese chicken shop so wanted to know whether we were enjoying our meal. The husband told us he is originally from Madeira and advised this was the best Portuguese chicken place in Sydney! They had an entree of pippis followed by steak and their young son had calamari and chips.

The takeaway counter was packed and there was a 40 minute wait on the chicken for customers who arrived after us.

I may never make it back to this place since it is across the Harbour Bridge, but if I had a craving for steak and chips I'd give this a another go. The meal must not have been too bad as our Dad who normally has something to say about the food, was silently eating away. Dad is a french and chinese trained chef. If you drink, then my siblings also had portuguese beer called Sagres to help wash those chips down....

If you are in the area a lunch could be good as you can also pop across the road to Sweet Belem where the portuguese tarts are fantastic - flaky crusty pastry filled with just-right custard.

Petersham Charcoal Chicken

98 New Canterbury Road

Petersham NSW 2049

(02) 9560 2369 (You can ring to book a table - highly recommended!)

Sweet Belem

35B and 35C New Canterbury Road

Petersham NSW 2049

(02) 9572 6685