Looking for something like Sizzlers in Canberra

You remind me of the Americans I ran into in the Australian markets in Sydney complaining about the prices of the “produce”.

Never calculated the exchange rate (too hard), and ignored that they were looking at kilograms (what are they?) not pounds.

We were struck with the cost and poor quality of “fresh” food in the States. Fruit and veg was mushy and flavourless and cost in US$ per pound what we pay A$ per kilo. If you get off the beaten track, e.g. update New York or Pennsylvania, fresh fruit and vegetables cost more than their awful fast food. They seem to think they are starved of calories and pile all the fats they can lay their hands on, on everything e.g. mayo and extra cheese on what are already cheesy pizzas.

Their Big Macs are 50% fat, half of which is saturated fat with a nice dash of transfat thrown in. Australian Big Macs are by contrast quite lean, less than half the fat, no transfat, no sugar and a fraction of the salt.

Their Coke has 25% more sugar than here. They dose up everything with sugar, salt and fat, even their bread. The reason they love “flavouring” things with cinnamon, cilantro, you name it, is because it covers up the bland horrible taste and gives the illusion of choice.

They cook/fry nearly everything fast food style on griddles because it is low skill, and use Crisco which frankly stinks.

But I guess it is what you are used to. Pity your arteries are not as accommodating.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

rubaiyat said :

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

Sizzler is great, but far too expensive in Australia. In the US Sizzler is better, and about a third the price.

I checked their website and that is not true.

Their special sirloin, just a basic portion of meat with chips and a small (tiny) bowl of salad is currently their “Special” for US$14.99 + taxes + tips which would make it over US$20 which is currently A$27 for a meal that would have been cooked by trained monkeys on minimum wages.

The “its cheaper” in the States is for those who can’t do their sums, or the exchange rate, and in my experience, except for L.A., the quality of their food is abysmal.

When I was there two months ago you get a steak/burger and salad bar for $10, and I paid with cash obtained at a much better exchange rate than now. The salad bar was also substantially better than what you see at Sizzler in Australia. You got more, and better, food than the Australian Sizzlers at a far cheaper price.

Have you actually been to Sizzler in the US recently?

It’s been a bit over a year since I have been to the States. Has it got cheaper?

I made it clear that I avoid Sizzlers. It is neither healthy, nor good cooking.

You still left out the REAL exchange rate, the local taxes and the tips.

You tipped the staff right? They have to live off that money, they get paid next to nothing.

You can look up their current prices online.

The A$ is currently buying US 0.7359 cents today.

US$10 (I saw nothing for $10 on their website) is A$13.59, add local taxes approx. A$14.95, add 20% tip is A$17.31.

What I saw online was $14.99 for the Special so approx. A$25.95.

My US relatives give up on the maths, as it seems so do you, it is all too hard for them. The new mobile payment Apps they use on their phones are actually taking much more than just the low end 20% tip, so really upward of A$25.95.

“About a third the price” is clearly, absolutely, wrong.

rubaiyat said :

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

Sizzler is great, but far too expensive in Australia. In the US Sizzler is better, and about a third the price.

I checked their website and that is not true.

Their special sirloin, just a basic portion of meat with chips and a small (tiny) bowl of salad is currently their “Special” for US$14.99 + taxes + tips which would make it over US$20 which is currently A$27 for a meal that would have been cooked by trained monkeys on minimum wages.

The “its cheaper” in the States is for those who can’t do their sums, or the exchange rate, and in my experience, except for L.A., the quality of their food is abysmal.

When I was there two months ago you get a steak/burger and salad bar for $10, and I paid with cash obtained at a much better exchange rate than now. The salad bar was also substantially better than what you see at Sizzler in Australia. You got more, and better, food than the Australian Sizzlers at a far cheaper price.

Have you actually been to Sizzler in the US recently?

taninaus said :

the one we had here closed down about 20 years ago.

Actually we had two. One in Tuggeranong at the Hyperdome and one in Belconnen next to Hungry Jacks and Red Rooster.

If I recall the issue was there were two franchisees in Australia. The one that owned the Canberra restaurants and many, but not all of those in NSW went bust but the original franchisee, primarily in QLD didn’t. They have all since been brought out and there are still a few in Sydney.

Hogs breath cafe at baileys corner? I think the main reason people would dine at the black stump was the two for one deal with the shop a dockets. Seemed like an ok feed to me, back in 1999.

Rollersk8r said :

As already noted, the “value for money” market in Canberra is dominated by local clubs.

Only until you try out a proper restaurant and realise that a very small amount of extra money gets you a huge jump in quality, service and atmosphere.

There are no Sizzler franchises in ACT like there is in Brisbane. Some bistros in Canberra have a similar dining experience, such as the soccer and football clubs (some have small membership fees). There is also Hellenic Club, which is a magnificent venue. Vikings club bistros were also in the southside suburbs. I do remember that Sizzler has good breakfast offerings though.

Sadly no Sizzlers or equivalent in Canberra. You have to travel to Brisbane or Perth to find one. the one we had here closed down about 20 years ago.

but we do have plenty of fabulous restaurants and the sports clubs locally provide a great feed for the family. Eastern Tiger is one of the better/only buffet type set ups it is Asian oriented food, along with some staples like chips and wedges.

VYBerlinaV8_is_back said :

Sizzler is great, but far too expensive in Australia. In the US Sizzler is better, and about a third the price.

I checked their website and that is not true.

Their special sirloin, just a basic portion of meat with chips and a small (tiny) bowl of salad is currently their “Special” for US$14.99 + taxes + tips which would make it over US$20 which is currently A$27 for a meal that would have been cooked by trained monkeys on minimum wages.

The “its cheaper” in the States is for those who can’t do their sums, or the exchange rate, and in my experience, except for L.A., the quality of their food is abysmal.

Madam Cholet said :

Madam Cholet said :

Black Stump and Sizzlers were the cuisine of last resort in the 70’s. Which was when I first went to London and found there was actually something worse.

btw mchalmers did say they are from Brisbane.

I don’t know where you were eating in London, but I was seriously shocked at the quality of the Black Stump – and that was 1993 – not the 1970s by any means – I’m sure London of the 70s was still more greasy spoon or pie and mash.

I do recall back in my late teens that the new pub chains that were springing up in London and surrounds were quite good and reasonably priced.

I must say I am surprised that Sizzlers still exists, my Mum used to like it for some reason that escaped me. Maybe it was the “All you can eat” salad bar. “All you can eat”, from my long experience here and in the States, being a warning sign, not an invitation.

I do remember the occasional good game pie in a UK Pub, and a particular Moroccan restaurant in Kings Road, but remember some horror meals, dishwater coffee and the “steamed” bread. Thankfully I spent most of my time across La Manche.

Having lived in and visited London and other parts of the UK many times I wouldn’t be suggesting it is the benchmark for good food by any means.

Madam Cholet said :

Black Stump and Sizzlers were the cuisine of last resort in the 70’s. Which was when I first went to London and found there was actually something worse.

btw mchalmers did say they are from Brisbane.

I don’t know where you were eating in London, but I was seriously shocked at the quality of the Black Stump – and that was 1993 – not the 1970s by any means – I’m sure London of the 70s was still more greasy spoon or pie and mash.

I do recall back in my late teens that the new pub chains that were springing up in London and surrounds were quite good and reasonably priced.

Can’t tell if this is a serious post or not – but Sizzler did indeed shutdown in Canberra (and just about everywhere else) a very, very long time ago.

As already noted, the “value for money” market in Canberra is dominated by local clubs.

Madam Cholet said :

When I first arrived in Australia (just over 20 years ago), my family took us to a place in Sydney called The Black Stump. Apparently this place was a great place to eat. I have to say that I was not impressed. Maybe because I came directly from ‘trendy’ London to the ‘burbs of the North Shore, but probably really just because it was cr*p. Burnt and inedible are the two words I recall. But the family atmosphere was definately there!

A few years later in the mid-nineties, a really good friend of mine worked part-time at a Sizzler. For me it has the same vibe as that Black Stump all those years ago. Personally, I would encourage them to become a bit more daring in their eating habits. There are so many great places to eat that it would be alsmost criminal to look for something resembling a Sizzler.

If you must, then look up any club – Vikings, Canberra, Hellenic etc. Rose Cottage down south does a good & reasonably priced schnitzel or steak.

Black Stump and Sizzlers were the cuisine of last resort in the 70’s. Which was when I first went to London and found there was actually something worse.

btw mchalmers did say they are from Brisbane.

Sizzler is great, but far too expensive in Australia. In the US Sizzler is better, and about a third the price.

Pretty certain Sizzlers is only hanging onto existence in Qld. Not sure what that says about Queensland! To be honest I loved the cheese toast they had, but you can buy that in a supermarket now. The rest of the food at sizzlers is nothing special.

Canberra has plenty of choices and good restaurants. If its all you can eat that you are really after….. I’d have to wonder why… I can get enough food to eat for the same price and of better quality anywhere else. But there is the Eastern tiger as mentioned in the first post and also one on the other side of town in Dickson (I can’t think of the name).

When I first arrived in Australia (just over 20 years ago), my family took us to a place in Sydney called The Black Stump. Apparently this place was a great place to eat. I have to say that I was not impressed. Maybe because I came directly from ‘trendy’ London to the ‘burbs of the North Shore, but probably really just because it was cr*p. Burnt and inedible are the two words I recall. But the family atmosphere was definately there!

A few years later in the mid-nineties, a really good friend of mine worked part-time at a Sizzler. For me it has the same vibe as that Black Stump all those years ago. Personally, I would encourage them to become a bit more daring in their eating habits. There are so many great places to eat that it would be alsmost criminal to look for something resembling a Sizzler.

If you must, then look up any club – Vikings, Canberra, Hellenic etc. Rose Cottage down south does a good & reasonably priced schnitzel or steak.

Why not just go and get any pub lunch of equal or better quality?

e.g. The Kingston Hotel. Cheaper and better.

You could try Eastern Tiger, Corinna St Woden, near Chemist Warehouse. All you can eat buffet with mix of Asian and Western Food, You get a wide menu choice: Fish & Chips, Roasts with all trimmings, Asian Food, salads and sea food. Piles of desserts. Cost $15.5 mon to Sat lunch for adults, kids charged by age. Not for connoisseurs but well cooked food with a great range. When I went, (Sat lunch) heaps of families, crowded and noisy but easy place for kids.