The Maid

This is probably my worse meal and pub/​bar experience since moving to Adelaide 18 months ago. I’m so traumatised by my evening at The Maid yesterday that I have to write about it in order to hopefully recover from it.
It was a random decision to have a casual meal at The Maid because we were heading to a house party in the area. First bad sign — coming across a bunch of drunk people at the entrance at 7.30pm. But luckily, the interior looked quite nice (even though there were TVs showing sports in every corner), so we decided to have a drink at «The Loft» (front bar) while waiting for a table to become available at the bistro. Then we came across more drunk people. My husband was not impressed, he’s worked in many bars in his time as a poor uni student and he said this was a sign of poor management because the staff should not serve these intoxicated people (and remember it’s not even 8pm yet!) and the staff/​security should caution these people to manage their behaviour. This really affected the ambiance of this place and the enjoyment of other patrons. Oh, and the bar chick tried to short pour my wine order… geeez…
We finally got a table at the bistro after waiting for 40 minutes. I ordered something from the specials menu — Chargrilled Tuna «cooked rare and served with chargrilled vegetables, tabouli salad and hummus». When our meals arrived 30minutes later, my tuna was well-​cooked and dry. So I sent it back to the kitchen even though I’m starving by now. The kitchen sent out another tuna meal out and while it was not as overcooked as the first one, it was still very dry on the outside and cold in the middle and tasteless. I was well and truly «hangry» by now so I ate some of the tuna (dipping it in the hummus helped!). I couldn’t swallow the soggy mess of grated stir-​fried veggies mixed with couscous. Thankfully my darling husband donated some of his food to me.
I politely expressed by disappointment in my meal to a waitress — the tuna special really should be taken off the menu. At least we were not charged for my meal and we were given a voucher for another complimentary meal.
The Maid earned two stars instead of one because the beer selection was good and wine list was decent. Bistro service was friendly. And my husband’s pork scotch meal was tasty even though it was just pilled onto a plate like cafeteria food. I will never be back again — anyone wants the meal voucher?

Had my valentine dinner here this year. Was beautiful! The atmosphere, the staff and the food was all amazing.
We had oysters that tasted absolutely delightful!
Main courses included pork belly & char grilled lamb, dessert we had sticky date pudding.
Was all absolutely amazing! Will be back again!

Called in here with some friends for a quick feed.
the food was at a good level Pub Meal but nothing outstanding.
had a few good wines on the menu.
there was a couple of large groups so it was very noisy though.

We recently dined at the Maid and Magpie, we ordered the Lamb Cutlets for $ 32 and the Chicken for $ 22, the prices high but we thought why not. The portion sizes are VERY small and while the chicken dish was tasty the Lamb Cutlets was bland and the potatoes again tasteless. We were left hungry and for the price we expected a lot better.

This may come as a surprise to the other reviewers, but I suppose every place has it’s good and bad reviews. Unfortunately, in my case, it is mostly the latter.
Upon looking at the menu and deciding upon steak and veg (porterhouse) and paying $ 28 for it (including a coke), I found myself a table and sat.
I was tortured by the table next to me as their kids were running around, playing and screaming and it totally destroyed the ambiance.
The meal took a while to come and when it did, I was appalled by it’s TOTAL lack of presentation. It was like they just schlepped it onto the plate.
I ordered the steak Rare and I would say it was just on the overcooked side of rare…
the steak was also rather fatty and tough. The sweet potato mash was passable, but could probably do with a little cream in it, perhaps some chives, as well. The thing which prompted me to write this review, though, was the BEANS.
I put a few on my fork and the texture had me worried, but when I put them in my mouth and started to chew, they were RAW.
Disgusted, I spat the beans into my serviette, put it on the plate and walked out.
In all honesty? I expect a LOT better if I’m going to be paying that much for a meal.
The ONLY saving grace of this place was the staff, which were helpful and friendly.
However, in this case, that’s not enough to save them.
I won’t be returning there again and I won’t be referring others there.

An ok pub for a few drinks with friends. The location is a good one but it has plenty of competition with the Alma and Oriental up the road, but most days the Maid and Magpie is the quieter choice. The place has been given the modern reno and has plenty of space and a nice beer garden outside… just don’t sit close to the mist sprinklers on a warm day or you’ll end up getting soaked. I give the staff a thumbs up though they are friendly and helpful.

Great place for functions, horrible place to get chatted up. I don’t know why the local rude dudes and their Malibu Barbies decided this was their local but they really spoil the vibe with their hooting and chugging and whinnying like prize horses.
I used to work across the road from here and whenever we had lunch or dinner here the food was amazing, every time. Just the chips and aoili alone would cause a riot in our office, the smell of them drifting down the halls causing an attack on the person trying to sneak into their room. I have never had a bad dining experience here, the service is faultless.
I also used to organise functions upstairs in The Loft and in the Barn, the separate function room that used to be a pokies room. The functions manager was very switched on and took excellent care of us. The only thing I would not recommend doing at the Maid is being single and mingling. Come here with friends because there’s a decent number of tools and fools loitering up in there. Lunch and dinner though with a date you did not pick up at The Maid, I would highly recommend.

The Maid & Magpie was allegedly a former bikie hangout, and was the location of many past shootings. After a lot of reinventing and redecorating, thankfully the pub is no longer a headline in the news and is now a fine, safe establishment.
The beer garden has great atmosphere and is the perfect place to enjoy a beer or two when the weather permits it. The lack of shelter makes it less than ideal when the rain comes down, but the interior of the building makes a fine place to hang out when its too wet to be outside. The bar staff are all very friendly and know how to make some mean drinks, especially the long island ice teas — watch out!
The thing I like about the Maid and Magpie is that it’s pretty much in the CBD, but still far away enough from the noisy, busy streets of the city. It’s not the kind of place I’d expect to see any wild parties, but instead is a super chilled out spot for the casual drink or catch-​up.

I feel as though one more review is necessary here soley devoted to the function rooms and services provided at the Maid, because they’re pretty damn good. There are two main areas that are most commonly used for birthdays, engagements or any other celebration of sorts. These two function areas are referred to as «The Loft» and «The Barn».
My favourite of the two is «The Loft», and I have most commonly attended to its setting thanks to various 21^st festivities. I am not being too kind here when I say that it is an awesome function area for a cocktail type swavey. It is very exclusive with the area having its own bathrooms, balcony, three large plasma screens and geneous space suitable for up to 90 guests. Décor wise it is a classy and trendy choice, that is definitely capable of holding a brilliant party.
«The Barn» is also cool, which is literally– yep you guessed it– a barn. Located in the carpark area of the Maid, it is not as classy or aesthetically pleasing as «The Loft» however it is secluded and cheaper. It is also disconnected from the rest of the premises thus providing an intimate treat for any party. This is also booked out regularly so you better get in early if you are interested.
Overall it is 5 stars for «The Loft», and then 4 stars for «The Barn», as well as the Maid & Magpie as a whole.

The Maid is a pub which I have returned to over and over again, if not for their $ 10 schnitzel’s on Tuesday and Thursdays, or their cheap steaks on Monday and Wednesdays, but for the relaxed vibe it gives, and good beer. I have never not had a good time here. The waiters are always nice, the food always arrives in a good time, and the beer is always cold.
I personally love having my dinner on the couches near the bistro bar, being able to stretch my belly out after completing a delicious meal. The pub food is always good quality here, and I recommend getting the pepper gravy on your next schnitzel!

‘The Maid’ as it’s called these days was built in the 1840’s, which was surprising as now this is a contemporary and prestigious establishment. Only ten minutes from the CBD, The Maid has a distinct and appealing style, it provides two bars inside, a beer garden, and a bistro.
It pride’s itself on the Schnitzel being a must for any connoisseur. I wasn’t feeling particularly ‘connoiseur-​ish’ that day, but the Chicken parmigiana went down a treat.
My attention was grabbed mostly by the sleek architecture of the bars. The Beer Garden is a pleasant place to chill and enjoy a drink.

Average pub outside the city which has had some improvements lately, including a beer garden and separate function room.
The Maid, as it is now called, serves normal pub food by day, shows sports etc, and has some nightlife, especially on weekends.
I have been to a 21^st birthday here in the function room, which is a separate building in the car park. It has it’s own bar, toilets, entrance and semi enclosed beer garden.
Not really where it’s all happening, but alright if you’re a bit older and want a more relaxed night to socialise and drink.