FOOD : Down the Hatch, Edinburgh

What’s big and juicy that you can’t wait to shovel in your face?

What gets your fingers dirty and smothered in sauce?

What’s salty and saucy and keeps you coming back for more?

The answer lies below…

REVIEW OF DOWN THE HATCH, ANTIGUA ST, EDINBURGH

Antigua Street is the second venue for Down The Hatch, their original venue still at South Queensferry Port Edgar Marina. Antigua Street is a great location or at least it will be once the tramworks/roadworks finish carving up every inch of tarmac between the top of Leith Walk and the St James Quarter.

I always think of Edinburgh’s East End as the foodie mecca; between Broughton Street delivering a mix of bars, boozers, fine dining, bistros and cafes to the Playhouse Strip offering up a global mix of Italian, Indian, Middle Eastern, Thai and a good ol Chippie or two for those late night munchies.

It is here that Down the Hatch have opened their Canadian burger joint offering for the people of Edinburgh and her visitors. It’s a great addition to the wide and varied food offerings here.

The thing that strikes me the most when you walk through the restaurant which opens into a larger space at the back, is the artwork. I’ve painted a mural or twenty in my life and I can nod in appreciation of the black and white, graffiti-esque artwork that fills one of the walls and I do love the King Kong Monkey Shoulder version sitting comfortably next to the wall of skater stickers.

The space is big, bright and open allowing for easy access and movement in these socially distanced times. Big thumbs up to their Covid compliance too with all staff wearing masks, hand sanitizing gel on all the tables and stations/tables being wiped down after use.

Regarding drinks, my advice is to go with either the Boozy Milkshake or Slushies and as there is no dessert menu, at the very least order one of their Old Fashioned Milkshakes to finish your meal off. My Mint Choc Milkshake (£4.50) was the perfect consistency of milky ice-cream topped with squirty cream and possibly a very large Aero bar crumbled ontop. A beautiful whisked frothy mess that kept me slurping till the end.

There ain’t no ‘clean’ way to eat these wings. These are the Buffalo Wings with Blue Cheese Mayo (£6.00). These boys are spicy, and were a little too spicy for me but the few bites I did manage before my mouth left on a unicycle in a streak of flames was tender and succulent with a good Frank’s Sauce to chicken ratio. The blue cheese mayo is insanely good and suitable for dunking just about everything in it.

Ah this is where I left my foodie heart, right on the end of this fork holding chips, haggis, poutine and gravy. Haggis Poutine (£6.75). I could not shovel this into my mouth quick enough; although expect to feel super full after the third bite. It’s haggis after all and super filling. Like the menu says, its the best of Canada and Scotland all rolled into one dish!

And now the star, the showstopper, the whole reason you really come to Down the Hatch. The Burgers!

My Stout Braised Chuck Burger (£10.50) oozed meat juice not only from the burger patty but also the mound of luscious pulled beef sitting snugly between the thick slices of bacon and melted cheese and the sesame seed topped burger bun. Napkins need to be at the ready, or not if you’re a finger licker!

The Hatch Burger (£8.00) is the daddy! An absolute classic with bacon, cheese, onion, tomato and pickles! You seriously cannot go wrong ordering this guy.

Other menu items that enticed me were the Sandwiches especially the World Famous Beef Dip (£9.00) - thin shaved roast beef, swiss, caramelised onions on a garlic butter toasted baguette. Served with a side of Au Jus for dipping your sandwich in....gotta dip....makes the sandwich!

AND just to finish off the Antigua Daily Special (£11.50) - a big slab of cherry wood smoked brisket, pork belly smoked using discarded whisky barrel, cheddar cornbread, fries and slaw with a bit of Angus & Oink Dirty Barbie sauce to bring it all together!

This is good dirty eating at it’s very best.

Down the Hatch, Antigua Street, Edinburgh. www.down-the-hatch-antigua-st

My Spoon Award : 9/10 Gold Spoon

I was invited by Down the Hatch to review their menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.