Rub’s new ‘quickie’ lunchtime menu is all about ease and speed without compromising on flavour or some of the highlights of the main menu. Served 11-5pm Monday to Friday, the concept is simple: choose from one of five reasonably priced dishes for just £4.95, and then make them your own with a choice of 14 toppings (ranging from 75p to £4.50).
The Rub Burger was juicy and the crunchy coleslaw kept it fresh. Good on its own but better piled high with chilli con carne or topped with creamy blue cheese and crispy bacon, there’s a lot of room to make a classic tailored exactly to your taste.
The New Orleans Chicken ‘Po Boy’ baguettes are stuffed with pulled chicken and go perfectly with sweet potato fries or a side of slaw. There are 9 sides to choose from, all at £2.95 with BBQ favourites such as garlic corn on the cob or pulled pork BBQ beans as well as the classic American ‘Hush Puppies’ – deep fried cornbread batter, perhaps not one for those embarking on the summer shred but delicious nonetheless! Rarely does a side dish come into its own, but there was something special about the super-smooth cheesy mash with spring onions recommended to us. We definitely didn’t need it, but we loved every top-button-opening-jeans-readjusting mouthful!
For those wanting lighter bites, the Caesar salad can be kept simple or paired with a 4oz sirloin or topped with bacon. Additionally, the Rub Tacos are delicious as they come, with mixed bean chilli, sour cream, cheese and guacamole. Keep them veggie or heap on pulled pork and chicken.
My personal favourite was the ‘Phat Bread’. Light pizza dough, with the perfect balance of chewiness and a crunchy crust smothered with Rub’s BBQ sauce and both cheddar and smoked Applewood cheese. Top with chunks of sticky burnt ends and fresh avocado and your mouth will thank you.
We washed our meals down with competition-winning cocktails. The Peanut Butter Jelly Thyme and Austin Oil Slick stole the show, and these satisfied our sweet tooth, but for those who want more, you can add a dark chocolate, Jaffa or Oreo Brownie and ice cream to your meal for just £2!
Perfect for a lunch break at work or for an escape from pretending to revise, I would recommend Rub’s new lunch menu to anyone who likes big flavours, big portions and a great atmosphere.
Rosa Lowis
Images and featured image by Rosa Lowis
