Apparently the retail units on Barrack Lane around the back of
St David’s 2 have been there for the last couple of years. Who would have
guessed?
This really boring revelation adds to my list of
recent others:
- Tim Vine is Jeremy Vine’s brother.
- Myriad can be used as an adjective and a noun.
- A baby puffin is called a puffling.
Anyway, I digress.
The Grazing Shed opened on Barrack Lane last week.
Pitched as a gourmet fast food joint, Grazing Shed
fulfils its gourmet billing through its list of quality suppliers, uber-tasteful
décor, stylish branding and restaurant-level pricing. It’s also most certainly a fast food joint - orders are placed at the counter, seating is bench style, drinks are self-service, you’ll be in and out in 20 minutes and the menu is dedicated to the mighty burger.
The Burgers – The John Wayne & The Bunga Bunga
1. How was the patty? A really well flavoured, juicy, 100% Welsh beef patty
served medium-well done.
2. How was the bun? A light and fluffy yet vitally sturdy seeded Penarth
Bakery bun
3. How was the other stuff in
the bun?
 |
| The John Wayne |
The John Wayne comprised of mild oozy mild cheddar
fondue, streaks of thickly sliced smoky bacon, caramelised red onion confit, smoky
BBQ sauce, spicy Cajun mayo & a couple of leaves of richness-balancing
lettuce.
The Bunga Bunga was similar to the John Wayne except
it swapped cheddar for an intensely savoury blue cheese fondue and BBQ sauce
for ketchup.
Both flavour combinations were pretty much on the
nail. However, I’d swap the John Wayne's BBQ sauce for a squirt of ketchup
next time.
4. How were the
fries? Super crisp, super fluffy skin-on chips.
Excellent.
5. What was the price? £7.95 for just the sandwich, £10.95 for a meal with chips & a bottomless soda. (We visited during the first week when it
was buy one get one free)
6. How was the service? Fast & friendly
7. How was the other stuff? Bottomless sodas are provided by six times Great
Taste Gold winning Lovely Soft Drinks. Whilst the absence of Coke might perturb
some, the deliciously floral elderflower presse and fiery ginger beer both did the
job.
8. So what's the verdict? Grazing Shed are serving up some ace burgers. It’s
great to see an independent in Cardiff
finally successfully embracing the gourmet burger trend. Whilst it’s not exactly cheap for a fast food joint,
the quality of Grazing Shed’s ingredients and the fine finished product mean
it’s now my Cardiff burger joint of choice.
The Details:
Address - The Grazing Shed, 1 Barrack Lane, Cardiff
Best burger in the diff by a country mile so far!
ReplyDeleteGood burger, very fast! Ginger beer was lovely, free refills too. Food could have been a bit hotter but was tasty.
ReplyDeleteAmazing burgers. Beats any GBK burger by a long way
ReplyDeleteJust tried Got Beef today and the specials that they were doing this week were a lot more innovative than here, I did enjoy Grazing Shed but i found the burger toppings to be nothing special, Got Beef is edging it for me now!
ReplyDeleteJust found the shed while waiting to go see thor at cineworld. I remembered reading yoir review so popped in as I was hungry, although I can almost always find room ! Great rasta hen burger frighteningly fast. Lovely bun and fries. I like my ginger beer hotter than served today but overall very good. Will try got beef next.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it - haven't sampled one of their chicken burgers yet.
Deletei love burgers
ReplyDeletelove the variety here. had the chicken and avocado burger and the combo was delicious!
ReplyDeletehowever, i couldn't help but notice that the food was quick. lightnin' quick! sure, hotholding burgers is easier and maximises profit, but wouldn't you prefer a FRESH patty....? this ain't mcdonalds!
Yes, totally agree - would be improved further if they cooked each patty fresh. Also would be nice to see them cooked medium.
Deletethe meat is cooked constantly by 2 grill chefs throughout the day and there's like 3 extra people to work on burger assembly like (open kitchen). it is really fresh, great quality and fast.. its very convenient and tasty and way healthier than mcdonalds fast food (just think how quick you get your burgers at drive-thru..) def best burger place in cardiff. -MJ
DeleteHave you tried the burger in Jamie's Italian? Grazing shed pales in comparison IMO
ReplyDelete@Evan Price - Nope I haven't tried it yet but it's been on my list for ages. Cheers for the recommendation!
DeleteWent again this week and our 2 solo burgers were served within 90 secs. Its getting quicker each visit.
ReplyDeleteHmmm.
Its my third time around and I'm starting to feel I'm being a bit cheated here. For £7+ a burger, it should be slapped on the grill to order. No doubt about it. Fast-casual dining works in the US because its amazingly fresh, affordable and cooked to order.
Cutting corners by hot holding totally disrespects the customer when we pay a premium. Clearly other people have sussed that out.
IMO, that wait for your food is all part of the build up and excitement of eating out. Now I feel like I've been to a glorified Maccy D's.
Will I go back - probably, but with lower expectations and not as often.
Damn!
Shame - cause this city needs more independent places.
pluses: the meat is fresh. welsh suppliers including drinks and bakery. great promotion for local market.
Deleteits hard to compare it to plastic McD's garbage- nothing is factory made, it tastes fresh and has amazing toppings and menu for burgers. def more places should be this innovative.
still looking if i can find better burgers in cardiff ;) -MJ