Hop & Cleaver, Newcastle upon Tyne

I love Newcastle.  Fantastic city.

As luck would have it I get to travel up to Geordie-land for work and when I do, my colleague Glenn acts as my own personal tour guide.

On a recent visit we needed a place for dinner and Glenn guided me to Hop & Cleaver; an American smokery which is found right next to the Tyne Bridge.

The restaurant has been fantastically designed.  Stripped back to its bare walls with rustic features everywhere - my kind of venue.

We were recommended the Reece's milkshake and it didn't take much convincing for both of us to order it.

However, we were in for a bit of a shock!

Reece's Hardshake
Vanilla Bourbon, Kahlúa, Lillet Blanc, Butterscotch sauce, Vanilla gomme, 2 Reece's cups, 3 scoops of ice cream, milk.

Well... as you can see the milkshake turned out to be alcoholic.  Seems it pays to read the menu when ordering something... oops!!

Still, it was bloody stupendous!

Charred Glazed Pork Ribs
Extra meaty thick cut ribs, smoked for 4 hours on fruit wood chargrilled with sticky Bourboun BBQ sauce.

My choice was easy as I can never resist smoked ribs.  Juicy, succulent and supreme!

The mash and sweet potato fries were a perfect accompaniment.

12 Hour Pulled Pork
Slow smoked pulled pork finished in our homemade BBQ catsup with slaw and salad.  Served with fries and pit smoked beans.

Glenn stumbled upon a real winner with the pulled pork - he left grinning from ear to ear!

The next time you head to Geordie-land, make sure that Hop & Cleaver is on the menu!

It's Grim Up North

Red's True BBQ, Manchester

Back when I was 14, I was introduced to BBQ over in the US of A.

I am talking about the real, juicy, perfectly cooked, never forget type of BBQ that blows your mind and leaves you never wanting to eat anything else.

Ever since that memorable experience across the pond, I have been searching for somewhere in Europe that can match up.  Despite consuming plenty of fantastic BBQ across Britain, and one bloody good attempt in Spain, I have never had a meal that replicates that original American BBQ baptism.

Until now...

Red's True Barbecue in Manchester has been in my crosshairs for almost a year but my wife and I don't head into town that often.

Tonight we ventured out into the big city and decided to have dinner.  

Red's was the immediate choice. 

The restaurant sets the BBQ scene perfectly, with exposed brick, chain-link fence, leather booths and a smoky open kitchen.  I was fully in my element and the wafts of charcoal made me feel like that 14 year old version of myself.

What followed was the most incredible meal I have had, bar none.

Red's serves my favourite type of food and does it better than anywhere else outside of the States.  

The meat was clearly handled with love and had a deep and satisfying flavour.  Tender, moist, juicy... my mouth is watering from the very thought of it.

I will let the pictures do the talking.

Honey Berry Smash & Mississippi Mud Brownie Malt: 

Beef Long: 

Tender Beef Ribs glazed in Unholy BBQ Sauce with Sweet Potato Fries and Giant Onion Rings.

The Sleepy James: 

Two Southern Fried Chicken Breasts in Waffles served with Peppered Bacon, Shredded Lettuce, Burger Cheese, Slaw, Ranch Dressing and Sweet Potato Fries.  

Simply put, the guys at Red's are doing it right.  BBQ heaven in the perfect venue and with food that delivers.

Unholy BBQ cow Batman!