Whether a vegan or meat-eater, Bangerz ‘n’ Burgerz has plenty to satisfy your cravings
HAVANT is perhaps a rather unexpected place to find a restaurant like Bangerz ‘n’ Burgerz. Decked out ceiling to floor with original bold, graffiti street art, this new West Street restaurant is serving up Americana-style street food with craft beer.
Even the tables have had the artist’s touch, spray painted with vibrant colours and unique designs.
Opening a month ago in the shop front which used to house the Chilli and Lime Indian, the restaurant is the latest in the Bangerz ‘n’ Brews chain already open across Portsmouth.
Curious, your Dish Detective booked a table for a meal and settled into a booth one evening. With so much eye-catching and interesting art on the walls, and music played at just the right level to hear conversation, the ambience is pretty spot-on.
Whatever your banger or burger craving, there’s something for all tastes. Hot dogs range from the traditional bratwurst of the German (£7.95) to the Mexican-inspired Speedy Gonzalez (£8.95), and even a Tot Dog (£8.95), garnished with tater tots and sweet chilli sauce.
You may be a fan of the simple American Style (£7.95), with streaky bacon and pickles, or in the mood for double fried chicken breasts with barbecue slaw in the Wyatt’s Rodeo (£8.95) burger meal.
Perhaps you’re even brave enough to take on the mountainous Undertaker (£12.95) – life insurance not included.
There’s also a cracking range of options for non-meat eaters. No scanning a restaurant’s menu to locate that one lone meatless option: Bangerz ‘n’ Burgerz has a whole list of items for veggies and vegans. Delighted to see such an extensive vegan menu – six burger and four not-dog options! – I opted for the Brooklyn Footlong (£9.95).
This Moving Mountain Frank, topped with vegan cheese and piled high with crispy onions, gherkin, mustard and ketchup – was absolutely delicious.
Eyes bigger than my stomach, I ambitiously ordered an extra side of Sombrero fries (£4.95).
These Cajun fries are stacked up with crushed tortilla chips, mild-but-sweet tomato salsa, and a healthy handful of jalapenos.
Very tasty, particularly when washed down with a Bunny Dip cocktail (£8.95). A zingy citrus hit in a large fishbowl-style glass, this mix of double tequila, red fruit syrup, bitter lemon and lemon juice really packs a sugary, alcoholsoaked punch.
My fellow detective, a dedicated carnivore, ummed and ahhed over the variety of beef and pork servings in the regular menu before committing to the Mexican Heat Wave (£9.95). Downing his pint of Paulaner Munich lager (£4.95), his eyes grew wide as the hefty, triple-patty burger – loaded up with crushed tortilla chips, triple Mexican cheese, tomato salsa and jalapenos – was placed before him.
The sandwich had a great cheese to meat ratio, despite its size, with a not-overpowering addition of cheese and a good hit of the tangy tomato salsa.
However, the real showstopper of this plate was the side of Bar-B-Q Chicken Wings (£5.95), topped with American mustard, bacon bits, and crispy onions.
I’m told the wings are fantastic, with the onion and bacon paired well to create a delicious crispy texture. In fact, a tray of these ‘proper wings’ were proclaimed to be good enough alone to entice my platemate back to Bangerz ‘n’ Burgerz.
Be warned: due to the size and sauciness of the dishes, it is impossible to eat most of the food with any semblance of dignity (particularly after partaking in a cocktail). It really is worth it though.
Bangerz ‘n’ Burgerz may be a surprising find in Havant, but it’s a much-needed point of new interest, bringing something different to the town centre – and the grub is really very good.
Definitely worth a visit.
His eyes grew wide as the hefty, triplepatty burger was placed before him