When Wetherspoons announced 14 new additions to their menu, I knew this sounded like the perfect lunchtime challenge. The major changes will be across their breakfasts, main menu and the weekly curry and steak clubs.
The menu changes took effect from this morning with new boneless 'chicken in a basket' dishes along with southern-fried, plain bites and strips appearing across freshly printed menus. Luckily for me, there is also a selection of meat-free and Quorn choices for vegetarians or vegans on offer.
Sadly, with it being a Wednesday, it wasn't the right day for curry club which meant I had to rethink my order that I had been mentally planning all morning. Although that would have happened regardless as there was so much choice on offer that I became overwhelmed at what to start with.
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The staff at the Roebuck were incredibly helpful as they listed off every single item on the menu when I asked. I did feel slightly guilty when I realised this was all printed and they must have thought I was spot-checking their knowledge.
I decided to go with the Fiesta Burger when they read it off the list because who doesn't love a good burger mid-week? I topped off my order by ordering a side dish of halloumi fries to accompany it because I failed to notice it came with onion rings. To be honest, I would have ordered the halloumi regardless even if I had known.
The tall burger was out at the table in seconds after I had placed the order which was impressive and also, given its a lunchtime visit, perfectly timed for me to inhale it before running back to the office. I was quite impressed with the size of the burger which even the staff seemed in awe of.
I panicked slightly when I saw the mountain of food being dropped at the table. Even staff member who dropped it to the table said, "we were all marvelling at this in the kitchen."
I can't say I blame them.
I did wonder how I was going to start eating it as it filled with layers of juicy peppers, a Beyond Meat patty, onion and a slathering of guacamole which added to the Mexican theme. As a vegetarian, I have to admit that Beyond Meat patties are an innovative plant-based gem.
They taste so incredibly similar to meat without crumbling all over the plate like most veggie burgers do. It does however mean that the burgers are slightly more expensive than the meat version which I am sure is due to the cost of Beyond Meat. It's still cracking value at £8.40 for such as huge burger, onion rings, chips and a diet coke.
This brings us to the onion rings and halloumi which were made to perfection. The grilled halloumi was surprisingly light given how naughty a side dish this is to order. I was similarly impressed by the onion rings which were flavourful and relatively grease-less. It's an impressive feat to make onion rings that aren't greasy in my eyes.
The burger was an absolute treat perfectly combined with juicy peppers and thick guacamole on fresh buns. The flavour was intense thanks to the combination of the different ingredients and the Beyond Meat patty - it felt like a 'real' burger.
If the burger is anything to go by, it bodes well for the rest of the menu which now boasts new gammon steaks, BBQ chicken melts and boneless chicken baskets. The staff also mentioned they were excited to see the American breakfasts including mini pancakes being added the menu.
I finally admitted defeat after tackling the massive burger and made a mental note to return to get my hands on the meat-free 'chicken' buckets next time. After all, I have another 13 menu changes to sample.
