We’re wondering if there’s a prize given to the one thousandth blogger to review MEATliquor; nothing’s arrived yet but we live in hope. Our decision to venture to MEATliquor today seemed initially like a random choice though after short reflection it was clear that it was in fact unconsciously prompted by our recent and disastrous meal at Bread Street Kitchen where Bland Street Kitchen would have been a better description. Having ordered there chicken wings and a burger and left feeling thoroughly cheated, the seeds had been sown for a decent example of both, and that meant it could only be MEATliquor.
And a decent burger and decent chicken wings is what we got. So we say right now, we’re in the camp that believes MEATliquor delivers burger heaven, we simply love what they do. But it’s not just the burger, it’s everything... well... almost everything. So let’s quickly touch on ‘the issues’.
Ask someone to ask you what the secret of comedy is, and before they finish the question, say ‘timing’; the same is true of eating at MEATliquor. If you have the luxury to do so, go off peak, and as we found in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon, there’s no queue and the food when ordered is delivered shortly after. We sympathise with those who have waited, and then waited some more, and we can understand that it can radically change the view of the overall experience. Our visit then should be seen in the light of no queue, and quick and efficient service.
Talking of light, that is of course the only light you’ll see once you step inside the door, and the decor, which has been described exhaustively elsewhere, left me at least thinking ‘wow, even my old student union bar didn’t look this out there’. To add a top note of absurdity, the music offers the curiosity of time gone by hits (Elvis & Dolly Parton were playing on our visit), but at a volume that appeals only to those who crave basement after hours clubs. But there our gripes, if they can be so called, end.
Our food order of Buffalo Wings, deep fried pickles, cheeseburger (x2) and fries arrives in two waves which worked well. Wings and pickles first: the wings are fantastically moreish, succulent, crispy where appropriate and full of flavour. Not classically hot, which might be a black mark for some, rather, more tangy, but in that way more approachable for the majority we suspect. At the most basic level, it’s satisfying, very satisfying.
And a decent burger and decent chicken wings is what we got. So we say right now, we’re in the camp that believes MEATliquor delivers burger heaven, we simply love what they do. But it’s not just the burger, it’s everything... well... almost everything. So let’s quickly touch on ‘the issues’.
Ask someone to ask you what the secret of comedy is, and before they finish the question, say ‘timing’; the same is true of eating at MEATliquor. If you have the luxury to do so, go off peak, and as we found in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon, there’s no queue and the food when ordered is delivered shortly after. We sympathise with those who have waited, and then waited some more, and we can understand that it can radically change the view of the overall experience. Our visit then should be seen in the light of no queue, and quick and efficient service.
Talking of light, that is of course the only light you’ll see once you step inside the door, and the decor, which has been described exhaustively elsewhere, left me at least thinking ‘wow, even my old student union bar didn’t look this out there’. To add a top note of absurdity, the music offers the curiosity of time gone by hits (Elvis & Dolly Parton were playing on our visit), but at a volume that appeals only to those who crave basement after hours clubs. But there our gripes, if they can be so called, end.
Our food order of Buffalo Wings, deep fried pickles, cheeseburger (x2) and fries arrives in two waves which worked well. Wings and pickles first: the wings are fantastically moreish, succulent, crispy where appropriate and full of flavour. Not classically hot, which might be a black mark for some, rather, more tangy, but in that way more approachable for the majority we suspect. At the most basic level, it’s satisfying, very satisfying.
We’re almost done with the wings when the burger arrives. We’ve had a few of Yianni’s burgers before and each and every time it is, we really have to say, as close to perfect as it gets. The meat tastes good, it’s well seasoned, it’s perfectly cooked, it’s juicy, it’s complimented but not overwhelmed by the condiments, there’s no need to add extras, it’s already perfectly balanced and finally, the bun is not only in the right proportion but itself plays the right roll in enhancing the overall experience of the burger.
The fries: also excellent. Right size, right cooking, right salting. And that’s the theme throughout, the MEATliquor just keeps getting it right. We can’t exactly vouch for a busy Saturday night when there’s a two hour wait, but on a Tuesday afternoon...
The fries: also excellent. Right size, right cooking, right salting. And that’s the theme throughout, the MEATliquor just keeps getting it right. We can’t exactly vouch for a busy Saturday night when there’s a two hour wait, but on a Tuesday afternoon...
Buffalo wings
Deep Fried Pickles
The Meatwagon Original Cheeseburger
There’s two more things we need to say. First, the cocktails. Of course, brilliant, but with one half of the CC putting for now alcohol to one side, their virgin cocktails are so good, you won’t even realise there’s none of the hard stuff in your jam jar. Full credit there.
Second, the value is remarkable. For sure, you get lined trays rather than plates, and kitchen roll rather than napkins, but £6.50 for a cheeseburger, sorry, not ‘a cheeseburger’ but the best cheeseburger in London (so probably the UK), well that’s sort of mental. A Byron cheeseburger costs £7.75 and a Ramsay cheeseburger £12. Our bill at Bread Street came to £50 (before they deducted the burgers), our bill at MEATliquor £30. A great example that good/bad – cheap/dear are rarely synonymous.
Accepting the no reservations policy, the extreme student decor, and loud music, a triumvirate that no doubt is adored by many of its clientele, this is a food heaven that is unmatched in our experience in what they offer. It’s honest in its offering, and so good, it’s dangerous.
Trying to say something new in a MEATliquor blog post is like trying to serve up a better burger than Yianni, a seemingly pointless exercise. But while many a blog post has commented on the fact that ML is situated below a car park in Welbeck Street, all have stopped short of telling you that Anthony Trollope lived at No 34 Welbeck Street in 1862 and that Thomas Young, the scientist and writer who deciphered the Rosetta Stone lived at No 48 between 1802 - 1825. Finally something new and informative in a MEATliquor blog post.
Return to homepage
related links
#Meateasy
Second, the value is remarkable. For sure, you get lined trays rather than plates, and kitchen roll rather than napkins, but £6.50 for a cheeseburger, sorry, not ‘a cheeseburger’ but the best cheeseburger in London (so probably the UK), well that’s sort of mental. A Byron cheeseburger costs £7.75 and a Ramsay cheeseburger £12. Our bill at Bread Street came to £50 (before they deducted the burgers), our bill at MEATliquor £30. A great example that good/bad – cheap/dear are rarely synonymous.
Accepting the no reservations policy, the extreme student decor, and loud music, a triumvirate that no doubt is adored by many of its clientele, this is a food heaven that is unmatched in our experience in what they offer. It’s honest in its offering, and so good, it’s dangerous.
Trying to say something new in a MEATliquor blog post is like trying to serve up a better burger than Yianni, a seemingly pointless exercise. But while many a blog post has commented on the fact that ML is situated below a car park in Welbeck Street, all have stopped short of telling you that Anthony Trollope lived at No 34 Welbeck Street in 1862 and that Thomas Young, the scientist and writer who deciphered the Rosetta Stone lived at No 48 between 1802 - 1825. Finally something new and informative in a MEATliquor blog post.
Return to homepage
related links
#Meateasy
RSS Feed