“Don’t f*ck about with it, just cook it really f*cking well.”
Operating out of the painfully cool Rose in June (@roseinjunemargate) pub off Trinity Square in Margate, Hay’s Hot Sandwiches (@hayshotsandwiches) has been on the pattie tracker for a little while – well, since autumn last year-ish.
And while the Rose nails its friendly, vibey boozer with cracking libations bit, Hay’s smashes its ‘I’m going to rock your world with burgers for five afternoons/evenings a week’ bit.
Served on kitsch plates of yesteryear, stunning, juicy burgers simply do the business. After the slow death of ‘loaded’ overkill and the Man vs Food phenome-not, burgers are back in the real world. Don’t f*ck about with it too much, just cook it really f*cking well. We had a cheeseburger, which is ground beef cooked with iceberg lettuce, cheese, pickles, onion and Hay’s sauce. And it couldn’t have been any better.
We went a little rogue on the sides with deep-fried cheese strings - turns out they’re amazing for dipping in a gochujang hot sauce. The oh so tender chicken strips with a chipotle mayo also didn’t disappoint.
Plus, just look at the short rib ragù on seasoned fries… it’s a thing of beauty.
And it was all served up within reach of the bar, so we could order more drinks. Remember that advert? “If Carlsberg (which is thankfully not available) made a pub and burger combo… this would be it.”
