Traralgon Charcoal Chicken — Restaurant in Victoria

I know it's called CHARCOAL chicken, but this is ridiculous! I don't often write reviews, but this is my 3rd meal that was all or partially inedible, so it is time to speak up so others are aware and can make their choice.

We have been going here for years. It has gone downhill lately. Other meals have had ubdercooked GREEN chips and ao much salt there is no way i cpuld eat it. Id never let the kids eat that much salt, so they went in the bin. But as oyt chicken was fine, i didn't mention it. Everyone can have a bad day.

Then i got a schnitzel and chips and gravy. The schnitzel is NOT what it used to be. Thin processed chicken now, and there were way more crumbs than chicken. They used to be thick and delicious. But this was so burnt on the edges that all the outside bits were not edible. Even with gravy over them, they were hard. I should have taken a photo.

They have changed the chips' salt, and it now tastes like garlic salt. Probably loaded with MSG. It probably wouldn't be as bad if they didn't use excessive amounts, but the old chicken salt is much better.

Tonight, it was way too salty to eat. The kids even struggled to eat any of them and threw most of theirs out and ate a sandwhich and an apple instead. I could only eat a few chips. The Gravy was very lumpy. But at least the container was full, not 2/3 full like last time we ordered. The 1/4 chicken was so dry and burnt that i threw it out. Couldn't even swallow it it was so dry. I had hopes that the breast would be ok and it would only be the ouside that was burnt, but sadly, the whole breast was so dry it was not chewable. The burnt bit on the outside had no meat in it at all. It was burnt to a crisp! I've never had chicken like it. It was SO Bad!

The female owner was sighing and arguing with a customer as the customer was explaining what she wanted, but the owner didn't understand. The male owner understood just fine. She ended up getting cross at the customer, sighing and rolling her eyes at her, and then started arguing with the male owner. It was not a pleasant place to be and was rather awkward. The Female owner was definitely in the wrong here. The customer was very clear in what she wanted to order.

I'd hope they refund my $21.90 next time I'm in there, but I don't even want to call them tonight as the female owner is likely to be rude and argue based on what I saw tonight, and I can't deal with that today. After shopping here since it opened, it was very disappointing. I'll give one more chance but if I receive food that bad again we won't go back. So disappointing. It used to be a great, friendly business with tasty food.

ETA: CC have responded that I should provide evidence of my purchase. I don't know how to do that when I paid cash. Paid with a $20 note and $2 coin and I put the 10c change in their tip jar (plastic container) on the front bench. So the only proof I have is the photos I've uploaded for here. Unsure if that is enough 'proof'.

Eta. 13.6.25 Sadly still the same Dry chicken. Inedible unless smothered in gravy to be able to swallow it Chips are no longer thinner. They are thick like fish and chip shop chips. We won't be back. You used to have the best chips ever! The gravy congealed after 10 minutes to a thick solid...

I ordered chips, dimsims and potato cakes. My housemate ordered chicken and chips. The salt on the chips that was supposedly chicken salt was slightly odd tasting seasoning clearly of their own recipe. The potato cakes were average at best, like ones you buy in a shopping center food court. 1 Dim Sim was average, the other had a slight tang to it that seemed really off. My housemates chicken was very dry, and the chips we both had were average in comparison to other Charcoal Chickens I've been to. On the drive home we noticed a poor aftertaste from the food in our mouths and bought milk based products each to mask that unpleasantness. On another note, the staff had trouble understanding what we were saying due to their limited English. Also, there were too many staff members on, and hence ther were always a couple of staff standing around watching everyone else which just makes you annoyed whilst waiting for your meal. Overall, I found the stores food and service to be quite poor, and I struggle to understand it's popularity and how it earned enough money for the annoying...

Was visiting family in traralgon today (3/8/2024) decided to buy 1/4 chicken & chips from traralgon charcoal chicken, what a mistake that was! Chips were overcooked, dry, hard (they snapped like a twig) and dark (like the oil needed changing) and way TOO MUCH SALT, NOT EDIBLE! Chicken tasted like rubbish (not like that charcoal chicken taste), skin was rubbery not crisp or char like. It looked dirty like it came out of the bin.. I would NOT go back there and DO NOT recommend it..According to my relatives who live in traralgon, this charcoal chicken has gone downhill since it changed owners and the food quality varies depending on who's cooking at the time. *Updated Note: BEWARE!!! GOT FOOD POISONING!! THAT NIGHT & THE FOLLOWING DAY (today 4/8/2024) HAD DIARRHEA, STOMACH CRAMPS AND NAUSEA!! Still fighting that...