Schnitz Fest is Back with Free Schnitzels, Cash to be Won & Deals
Some Melbourne food hills are worth dying on. One is that Schnitz chips are elite. Not regular-good, not pretty-good-with-sauce, but genuinely elite. They crunch in a way no other crinkle cut seems to manage, the kind of chip that still holds form after a detour through delivery. And if you’re the sort of person who quietly orders chips as the main character on your tray, Schnitz Fest is essentially your national holiday.
Schnitz South Yarra
A Festival Of Crumbs
Running from 9 to 28 September, Schnitz Fest is back with three weeks of deals, weekly competitions, and one very loud headline act: free schnitzels in South Yarra. It’s the kind of promotion that blurs the line between marketing stunt and cultural event. Forget craft beer week or burger festivals — this one is about chicken fried golden, wrapped in paper, and handed over with a grin.
The celebration kicks off on World Schnitzel Day, 9 September, where Crumb Collective members can score chicken schnitzels for just $5. That’s not a typo. Five bucks. If you grew up thinking the parma deal at your local was the ultimate weeknight hack, this one has you covered.
Deals That Keep Rolling
The rest of September is stitched together with rotating offers that give you an excuse to pop back in every week.
- 10–14 September: Chicken Schnitzel & Chips for $10. A solid lunch option that won’t burn through your paycheck.
- 15–21 September: Parma & Chips for $15. Napoli, cheese, and a schnitzel base — basically a pub classic without the pub.
- 22–28 September: Ham Parma & Chips for $17. A slightly flashier finish for those who want extra heft.
Each deal is a Crumb Collective exclusive, meaning if you’re not signed up already, you’ll need to. But signing up nets you a free Nosh Box and ongoing rewards, so it’s hardly a punishment.
Schnitz Cash Giveaway
Schnitz Fest also folds in a competition that feels more lottery than loyalty program. Every time you make a Crumb Collective transaction between 9 and 28 September, you’re automatically in the draw to win $1,000 Schnitz Cash. Three winners are pulled each week, across three weeks. That’s nine people walking away with serious schnitzel spending money — or, let’s be real, nine people who will be paying for their mates’ chips for the rest of the year.
The entry process is deliberately simple. No hashtags, no tagging three mates, no awkward reposting. Just order as usual, and you’re in.
Free Schnitzels In South Yarra
Of course, the main headline is still that one-hour schnitzel giveaway at Schnitz Como, South Yarra, on Wednesday 17 September, 5–6pm. One schnitzel per person, free of charge. Expect queues, probably some friendly pushing, and a lot of content on Instagram stories.
There’s something democratic about it. South Yarra might usually be known for boutique shopping and $25 martinis, but for one hour in September it’ll be all about people standing shoulder to shoulder in line for a free feed.
Why People Actually Care
Schnitz’s staying power in Melbourne comes down to something simple: consistency. The schnitzels are crumbed in-house, fried golden, and actually taste like what they’re meant to be — chicken, pork, beef, or plant-based. The menu doesn’t need gimmicks because the product holds its own. And then there are the chips, which, let’s be honest, are half the reason people keep going back.
That’s why Schnitz Fest hits different. It’s not about reinventing the wheel but about celebrating a staple that Melburnians already treat as a guilty pleasure and everyday go-to.
The Bottom Line
Schnitz Fest is for the loyalists who know the chip hierarchy by heart, the casuals who just want a cheap lunch, and the newcomers who are about to realise why everyone talks about these crinkle cuts like they’re a cult. Whether you’re chasing a $5 schnitzel, eyeing off the Schnitz Cash jackpot, or planning to line up in South Yarra for the freebie hour, September is set to be one long breadcrumb trail.
Some Melbourne food hills are worth dying on. One is that Schnitz chips are elite. Not regular-good, not pretty-good-with-sauce, but genuinely elite. They crunch in a way no other crinkle cut seems to manage, the kind of chip that still holds form after a detour through delivery. And if you’re the sort of person who quietly orders chips as the main character on your tray, Schnitz Fest is essentially your national holiday.
