For the past few years, meat has been on the ascendancy in Britain. We’ve lived through bacon-on-everything, BBQ and fried-chicken mania, deliciously dirty dogs at street food stalls and an endless succession of burger joints clogging the nation’s cities (and arteries). By 2015 our pork has been thoroughly pulled. But we meat-eaters are still hungry for more, it seems. So if you’re heading out to a restaurant in Manchester and want to reconnect with your inner caveman, hit these spots for a carnivorous blowout. Just don't blame us when the meat-sweats hit...
This temple to burger-fuelled excess has opened a second location in the Great Northern, but it all started here in the Northern Quarter. While we don’t always love their eye-rollingly laddish branding, their OTT burgers are fun, and it’s a suitably raucous place for a meal out. Be prepared to queue (no bookings) and don’t let the Bitch Juice go to your head.
This recent Northern Quarter arrival serves a simple menu of ribs and American comfort food sides – accessorised with rum and bourbon-based cocktails. We like the Memphis spare ribs here, and they mix a mean Manhattan. It’s a fun night out, with three different bar environments – tiki lounge, secret speakeasy and taproom – over three stories. But it’s a popular place, so book if you’re in a group.
With a gigantic smoker in pride of place, this temple to all things BBQ is a meat-lover’s paradise, and the cocktails and buzzy atmosphere make it a great place to come with friends. We rate their barbecued chicken and ribs, especially the massive Beef Long rib, but beware the donut burger (yes, that’s a burger in a donut) which comes with a generous side of remorse.
Red’s may be the new kid in town, but Southern Eleven is Manchester’s original BBQ pit boss. Their menu features well-executed ribs, brisket, chicken and pulled pork with all the fixins, as well as smaller bites, stuff in buns and tacos. Those in mixed company be warned: veggies are given particularly short shrift here. Leave room for their super-indulgent desserts.
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