Anyone who follows me on social media will know I am partial to a burger or two. I’d go as far as to say it’s my favourite meal.
When Meatcure first opened in Market Harborough we ate there as a family and LOVED it. It was a revelation. Interesting burgers, super hot skinny fries and excellent sides to pick at before the main event arrived. I was hooked.
Then a branch opened in Leicester and I was even happier. Less of a drive for me and still the same food. Their kids eat free with a paying adult on a Monday meant Monday got off to a hassle free start. Burgers for everyone and absolutely no washing up. Result.
Well, the menu recently changed at Meatcure and the lovely people there asked me to come along and review it. I’ll be honest that I’d already tried it, but in the interest of spreading the burger love word, I agreed.
So, what’s new? Well not much. (This is an honest review!) Anyone who eats at Meatcure regularly (there are branches elsewhere too) will know the new menu is more evolution and not revolution.
The main change is the burgers no longer come with fries, which might sound like a bad thing, but hear me out. The burgers now cost a little less to accommodate this change and there are now three different fries options to choose from (all £2.50 each). Regular fries, paprika fries and my all time favourite, rosemary salt fries. But I often go frie-less and just pick at the rest of the families leftovers on the chips front. Yes, I know, I am that annoying woman. But I am also a woman approaching 40 whose body is not so tolerant of regular chip eating as it once were.
The other change is the kids eat free deal. It used to be one day a week; just on a Monday. Now it’s all day Monday to Friday. So I can go washing up free every week night if I so wish. So for every paying adult one child gets either a hot dog, a mini royale (burger) or chicken dippers with fries and also an ice cream in a cone as pudding. Winner.
Onto the review. We ordered jalapeno bites (£2.50) with a blue cheese dip as well as some BBQ ribs in deep south BBQ sauce (£5.50 for four ribs).
Then I ordered my favourite burger on their menu; Colonel Parker’s Tribute (£7.50) which is essentially a Southern fried chicken breast with lettuce, red onion, crispy streaky bacon and the best tarragon mayo slathered on the top. In a brioche bun. Because a burger isn’t really worth eating these days unless it’s in a brioche bun, in my humble opinion.
I ordered the chopped salad too (£3.50) which is simple but the perfect foil to a slightly naughty burger. It comes dressed in oil and a little salt and pepper. Perfect. I ate it with my fingers because, well, because it’s a burger restaurant.
My pal had the Raging Bull burger (£7.50) – a beef patty, lettuce, tomato, chorizo, onions and smoked mayo all in a… yes, a brioche bun. He also ordered the rosemary fries which I happily helped myself to. They were spot on. Super hot, salty and spiked with fresh rosemary. We vowed to try and recreate them at home.
He had a beer too. We admired the tankard and discussed how we might procure one.
The bigger boys ordered burgers with fries (normally it’s £5.50 for the kids meal deal with pudding if you’re eating at the weekend or there aren’t enough adults to qualify for the kids eat free deal). Laurie (almost 3) ordered the chicken dippers which are a lot fatter and juicier than the last time we ordered them. You get four large chunks which is way too much for little Laurie but we all selflessly helped him out. A word though. If your kids are more used to chicken nuggets that have been minced and then breadcrumbed before frying then they might find the chicken dippers harder going – this is real chicken breast simply coated and fried.
Charlie ordered a chocolate milkshake which I never usually let him do. These are HUGE and reflectively £3.95 each. He declared it the best milkshake he has ever had and promised he would order the strawberry one next time just to see how it stacks up. He’s selfless too, like me. (NB: You can make your milkshake a ‘hard shake’ for an extra £2.50 by adding rum, bourbon, vodka or amaretto).
Us adults passed on the puddings (there are sundaes and waffles but honestly, we were stuffed), but the eldest and youngest boy managed an ice cream each in a waffle cone. The ice cream at Meatcure is good quality. The chocolate is especially good, flecked with crunchy chocolate chips. Middle son just had a cone as he is a member of the anti ice-cream brigade.
To finish I ordered a coffee. It was very strong and in my opinion, a little bitter. I didn’t finish it but wonder if it might have been more delicious with a drop of milk or cream. Sadly I prefer my coffee black so it was not to be.
Meatcure is a family favourite for us because it’s very easy to enjoy yourself with kids. There’s music that’s not too loud, but just loud enough to drown out any whining and arguing that can feel all too exposing in quiet restaurants. The service is speedy and super friendly, which again is perfect when eating with little ones. There are dominoes to play with. There are noughts and crosses to play with. There are pens. We also always take our own Play Doh, but we’re weird like that. And the food is good. The burger options are interesting and delicious, the decor is stripped back and fun. The beer is always cold. There are also two excellent vegetarian burger options. One with portobello mushrooms and halloumi and the other with goat’s cheese, beetroot and halloumi. Kale mayo too. (Makes note to self to order a veggie burger next time).
I should also mention that their breakfasts are very good too. Served 11am – 2pm at the weekend – you get a huge fry up for £6.95 and pancakes with maple syrup are just £3.50. Your first tea or coffee is also free with brunch. Result.
Would I change anything? At risk of sounding like a carb dodger it would be good to have a bun free burger option (I know, I know.) I’d also love it if the shareables came out before the mains, but in the interests of easy and speedy ordering, mostly everything comes out at once. And lastly, being the mother of an ice cream hater, I’d love it if there were another pudding option for little ones, but then again am aware that very few kids dislike ice cream. Plus I do get to eat his pudding which is no hardship.
It’s a big thumbs up from us. I’ve still not gotten round to ordering their 10oz flatiron steak (£10 with lambs lettuce!) Next time…
NB: We received a complimentary meal from Meatcure.
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