The Verdict: Despite it’s unfortunate name, this is a pub and a chicken parmigiana that I would be happy to recommend to anyone.  Only one factor let it down and that was, as is becoming a theme on this blog, the ham.  I don’t think I have ever been more disappointed to find shredded ham on a meal as I was tonight because the rest of this meal was just excellent!

Parma Pic:

Chicken: The chicken fillet on the TFC chicken parma was thin but excellent.  Very well crumbed, well cooked and very moist.  If the Calamvale Hotel chicken fillet was the benchmark this one just lifted the bar!

Tomato Sauce: If you are a regular reader of this blog you will know that I love a good tomato sauce on my chicken parma and tonight’s did not disappoint.  It was abundant and coated the chicken fillet well albeit with a couple of minor missing spots.  It was tasty and complimented the whole chicken portion of the meal well.

Ham: Have you ever done an exam and got perfect answers for 9 of the 10 questions on the paper but the 10th question you know you got zero for? That is how I felt about the ham on this parma. Everything else was close to perfect but the ham, again, was shaved ham.  This is one of my pet hates when it comes to chicken parmigianas.  To complete the quinella it was a little on a bland side too.

Cheese: I have had a great run of late when it comes to the cheese that is melted on the chicken portion of the meal.  Tonight was no different.  Again using the Calamvale Hotel’s parma as a marker, this one was right up there with it for cheese content, taste and spread!

Side Dishes: Tonight’s parma had a different take on the side dishes from what I have seen so far with apple slaw replacing the salad and fries replacing chips (possibly a play on semantics but my parma consigliere was adamant that there is a difference so I am going with her on this) that had me rushing to check the rule book.  Fortunately these side dish choices did not disqualify the parma (See Rule 2 and not the words “most often” https://brisbanebestparma.com/2014/12/27/the-rules-how-i-am-going-to-judge-brisbanes-best-parma/) because they were exceptionally good. The slaw complimented the meal perfectly.  The fries were perfectly cooked and very well salted!

Presentation: I get the grungy vibe that the TFC is going for and the plate on which the parma fitted that vibe. However for a meal of this size needed to be on a bigger plate for mine.

The Other Stuff: $19 for two chicken parmigianas.  Need I say more.  If you are looking for a feed on Wednesday night, like quality food with largish portions and don’t mind eating surrounded by “hipsters” (it is a very Valley crowd) this is a must visit venue! I will definitely be back!

The Final Word: This parma was so close to besting that of the Calamvale Hotel from last week it is not funny.  To put it simply: but for the question mark over the shredded ham this would be the new leader.  In the words of the genius that is Maxwell Smart … “Missed it by that much!