Palookaville

Granted the name is terrible. I realise it has origins elsewhere but it is suggestive of a puerile reference to sex or sex organs, or the place to get both, easily. But is it not that at all
The interior is an odd mix of styles and a grand diorama of an outback homestead at one end. Though strangely it is relaxing, casual, and charming in its own odd way.
The staff are very friendly and down to earth. The highlight for me is the food. Very reasonably priced delicious food. Asian inspired menu but it also has steaks and parmas. Good quality, well prepared and plated.
It’s a place you can pop in for a meal without pretence. There is plenty of space and moderate lighting. It just works and I can’t quite put my finger on why.
Disclaimer: I only started going here in Jan 2013, so I have no idea of its past incarnations.

Horrible service, terrible food. Never again.

Does it get any better than eating in someone’s backyard? My friends and I are still not sure if they build the house in the back to make the restaurant or if it was an existing house and the restaurant was built around the house. Either way a good topic of conversation when you first arrive. One thing we could have done was ask the staff but that would have been to easy.
As for the food, it’s really good considering it is so cheap but not the best place for a meal this side of town. I would be happy to come back if I want a cheap meal and a nice environment.

Locals know that the $ 14 steaks are the way to go here. It’s one of those ‘you can’t go wrong’ dishes. Everything else is alright, not great. The one thing I really didn’t like was the mac and cheese, and the chocolate cake was a total let down.

Located at the end of Brunswick Street, Palookaville is a great place for quality cheap food and drinks. Palookaville originated from the term Palooka, which is a term of endearment for a simple but lovable character. Palookaville basically means a place of simple places and principles. This is particularly true of their food.
Palookaville is all about price and for the price, giving the right amount of portion. All mains, except for the sirloin, are $ 14. The sirloin is $ 16. With no particular regional influence, Palookaville’s menu takes from everywhere — Asian inspired twice cooked pork belly, Thai noodles, Cambodian curry, Spanish grilled chicken, Persian lamb shanks, and more. The simplicity of the dishes is great, but they also use quality ingredients. This means the patrons receive great value for money with no food being wasted.
With the usual drinks and beers on tap and friendly staff, you can’t go wrong for $ 14.

I’m not going to say it’s the best food in town, but it surely is some of the cheapest!
Straightforward pub serving cheap steaks compared to anywhere nearby. Sure, some places have a steak night, but Palookaville has steak year. All the time there’s something affordable.
Also really dig their fish and chips. It’s a more tempura-​style batter that just tastes less greasy, with a nice plate of chips.

«The salt of the earth» is this restaurants motto. A reference to their accessible/​affordable menu that sees the majority of mains priced at $ 14. I think this place is pretty good value for money, the mains aren’t massive but they are pretty tasty. The ‘BBQ beef belly’ was pretty fatty, but maybe I shouldn’t be so shocked as it does describe the cut of meat as «belly».
The menu takes influence from all over the globe «Persian lamb shanks» «Spanish grilled chicken fillets» «Cambodian vegetable curry» however don’t expect great authenticity. Don’t get me wrong the food is fine but as the old saying goes «kitchens cant travel». The restaurant is roomy and acquiring a table is almost guaranteed with reliable service.
The atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed unpretentious with an unassuming crowd after some cheap meat.

It’s like dining in a mate’s back yard. Literally! The clever design of this popular pub in Brunswick Street is created to look exactly like this and gives it a distinctly relaxed atmosphere, perfect for an after work drink or meal.
When a friend told me about the delicious mains at Palookaville being just 12 bucks every night, I was sceptical. But time and time again, Palookaville has proven that 12 honest dollars can buy you an excellent meal. Try the Persian lamb shanks (my favourite), open scotch fillet steak sandwich with chips or if you feel like splurging, the 250g chargrilled yearling sirloin will set you back just $ 16.
Leave room for dessert though because the raspberry pavlova ($ 8) and the sticky date pudding ($ 8) are my hot favourites, this side of Brunswick Street. But even without dessert, you’ll leave satisfied with the knowledge that you had an awesome meal without the enormous bill. Service and bar staff are always laid back, friendly and if you need a hand with recommendations, you’ll get a pretty good description of the food.

Food — hearty traditional pub meals with an Asian twist to a lot of them
Standouts — entrees: roti and curry sauce, mains: lamb shanks, ribs, steaks, and masterstock chicken
Philosophy and Price — Palookaville has a different attitude to pub food from other great pubs in Fitzroy like the Napier Hotel or the Standard Hotel. They believe in slightly smaller portions at much lower prices with all mains at $ 14 (excluding steaks). The size of portions are still decent though and you probably wouldn’t realize they were intentionally small.
Special Night — on a Tuesday and Wednesday night there are $ 14 steaks. That is 250g of meat served with thick cut chips, salad and a choice of sauces. Lovely stuff.
Atmosphere — the weird combination of being dark, dingy and extremely welcoming.
Service — good, friendly staff
Overall — down to earth, non-​pretentious yet cool pub in Fitzroy with cheap and tasty food.