If you’re like us, you love a plate of pub grub. There’s something so immensely satisfying about passing a basket of fried delights around the table, or digging into staples from across the pond. Of course, there are folks who haven’t experienced such joys before. To them, we say: you’re sorely missing out. Don’t take our word for it, though; instead, check out these six pub favourites, and see how quickly your mouth gets to watering.
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You have to try these pub food favourites
Loaded Nachos
When it comes to pub starters, there are no bad options. Baskets of golden fries or crispy onion rings make for great snacking when you’re downing a few pints. For our money, though, there’s no substitute for a mountain of fully-loaded nachos. Disassembling a heap of corn chips with all the fixings can be a messy affair, admittedly. But when you’re a few drinks in, and you’re craving something crunchy and savory, you’re not gonna let some greasy fingers stop you from savoring every last morsel.
Bangers and Mash
Pub fare doesn’t get much simpler—or much better—than this UK classic. Tucking into some snappy English bangers and fluffy mashed potatoes, all smothered in rich onion gravy, is an addicting experience. Some spots will up the ante with peas, baked beans, or a healthy dose of fried onions. If you’re lucky, you might come across a plate loaded with all three. Whether it’s kept simple, or given a little something extra, though, one thing remains consistent: bangers and mash is comfort food at its finest.
Chicken Wings
Some folks crave a messy, saucy meal when they’re buzzed. For them, there’s nothing quite like a heaping helping of chicken wings doused in their sauce of choice. Perhaps they’re a barbeque fanatic, or crave some seriously potent spice. There’s nothing saying they have to stick to one flavor every time, though; there’s nothing stopping them from craving buffalo wings one week, then trading them out for a sweet mouthful of honey garlic the next. That’s perhaps the greatest selling point of wings: there are so many ways to enjoy them.
Shepherd’s Pie
What makes up this iconic meat pie? The answer depends on who you ask. Shepherd’s pie purists insist that, as the name implies, the dish must be made with minced mutton. Others, meanwhile, don’t mind if it’s ground beef or leftover roast hidden beneath that top layer of mashed potatoes. If you ask us, the name is secondary to the taste; if the meat is well-seasoned, and plays nicely with the mash and veggies, that’s all that matters.
Liver and Onions
This pub staple is exactly what it says on the tin. Liver is usually sliced, but sometimes diced, then sautéed with onions until both are fantastically tender. The allium provides some tasty counterbalance to the metallic flavor of the organ, which some diners would find off-putting otherwise. In the UK and Germany, where it’s most prolific, the meal is typically served with potatoes and crispy bacon on the side. As if the dish wasn’t rich enough on its own.
Beer-Battered Fish and Chips
We can’t discuss pub grub without highlighting its undisputed king. What’s not to love about fish and chips? A little beer in the batter leads to a light, yet crunchy shell – the perfect accessory to succulent white fish. Whether you eat them neat, or drench them in ketchup and malt vinegar, a side of salty chips is to die for. Not to mention the creamy tartar sauce, and a mouthwatering helping of coleslaw. Just thinking about it is enough to get our stomachs growling.