Man vs Food '“ and there was only one winner: BBQ Nights restaurant review

The size of the serving meant it was something of a performance - a cross between American TV hit Man Vs Food and a panto; would I finish it? Oh yes he will.... oh no he won’t.

To be fair I had bitten off more than I could chew, if you excuse the pun, on our visit to BBQ Nights - the evening guise of the Sundays restaurant in Cumbergate, Peterborough city centre, from Wednesday to Saturday.

It has brought a taste of the US to the city, with meat galore cooked “low and slow” in a wood-burning smoker, so you can look forward to the likes of pulled pork, beef brisket, chicken wings and ribs.

It’s quite a relaxed place, we were very much at ease with two small children, and has a pleasant green and grey colour scheme and simple (if a bit wobbly in our case) furniture.

The main offering is the bbq boards, served with bread, coleslaw, pickles and a side. You can pick from fries, corn on the cob, wedges, onion rings, green beans or upgrade (an extra £2) to the premium offerings – mac & cheese, sweet potato fries and BBQ beans with meat.

I had enjoyed the ribs on a previous visit and was torn between the other meats on offer - so foolishly (bearing in mind we had witnessed the size of servings) opted for the “combo” of pulled pork, beef brisket and chicken wings (£18).

It was a sight to behold when it arrived.

The pork - dry rubbed shoulder smoked for more than 12 hours - was the pick for me.

A great flavour from the meat of course but the sweet mustard sauce added a new dimension of delight.

The brisket was just as I hoped... tender and tasty, particularly the end bits where the coffee rub was prominent.

And the chicken wings - just making up the numbers really - were surprisingly good. With plenty of meat to nibble at they were like mini drumsticks, covered with a potent, smoky bbq sauce.

I loved the coleslaw, which was nice and crisp, the onion rings were lovely and crunchy and the pickle - mainly gherkins - offered a contrasting taste to everything on the board.

Needless to say, I nowhere near finished, despite my best effort, and was packed off home with a doggy bag.

Sensing, correctly, there would be plenty of meat going spare Donna ordered some tasty hallumi skewers packed with onions, peppers and mushrooms and some corn on the cob, all nicely done on the griddle.

And the kids made the most of the sticky toffee pudding, waffles and ice cream as they watched me struggle.

VENUE: BBQ Nights at Sundays, 3 Cumbergate, Peterborough tel 01733 PE1 1YR

email [email protected] www.bbqnights.co.uk

FROM THE MENU

bbq boards

Beef Brisket............... £12

Cooked Low & Slow until it’s ‘melt in your mouth’ done.

Pulled Pork ................£10

Dry rubbed shoulder, pulled and seasoned with house bbq sauce.

Ribs; 1/2 Rack (£12) or Full Rack (£19)

St Louis Cut, smoked until ‘fall off the bone’ tender, finished with bbq sauce glaze.

Burgers

In a brioche roll, all served with fries & house pickles.

Homemade burger ......£9

Pulled pork & slaw .......£9

‘The works’ .................£12

Beef Burger, slaw and pulled pork or beef brisket.

vegetarian

Vegetarian Burger ...... £8

Served with salad, mayo and regular side.

Vegetarian mixed board .......................................£12

Hallumi skewers or vegetable skewers plus mac n cheese, corn on the cob, sweet potato fries and onion rings