So this is how the story goes: I am always slow in following trends. It doesn’t matter if the trend is in fashion, food or the latest fandangle gadgets (note: I am yet to own my first iPhone, let alone an iPhone version 4 meaning it’s been around for at least 4 years, and the idea of owning an iPad – version 2! – is yet to even incubate in my little head, so you can bet that when the whole craze is over, I will be there buying my iFirst) I am just slow to catch on. Period.
Kind of like how I finally got around to having a Meatwagon burger about three decades after everyone else.
At least I did it! And I LOVED my Meatwagon burger. So much so that I declared myself a Wagon groupie and vowed to follow it all over London. But mere weeks later, the unimaginable happened. The Meatwagon Was Stolen. ‘Twas not a hoax, ’twas not a joke. Some certified asshole actually decided that stealing a FOOD TRUCK would be fun, obviously ignorant of the fact that this truck helped make a living for someone’s family and more importantly, that awesome burgers came out of the truck.
Ok fine, the first point was more important.
But lucky for us, the disaster didn’t keep the Meatwagon team down for long. They hustled their way around London and in January this year, perched themselves above the Goldsmith Tavern in New Cross and opened up shop, this time branded the fabulous and limited #MEATEASY.
Um, #MEATEASY opened in January, people. What month are we in now?
God I am slow.
Granted I’d been out of the country for the better part of the last two months, I still consider myself behind this trend because (a) every person and his dog has been to #MEATEASY and (b) it’s closing up shop this weekend. So you know, I had to go.
And despite my current condition (as in, I can’t walk much I can’t eat much and boy did I suffer the consequences after this burger) we made our way down to New Cross on Saturday evening and joined the masses for what is still one of the best burgers I’ve had in a while.
Arriving just shy of 6pm (doors open 5.30pm, food starts at 6), we clutched our precious tickets (numbers 29 and 30) protectively, ordered some cocktails and played the waiting game.
To my very pleasant surprise, the kitchen turned orders super quickly (I guess this is no truck) and we had our order in by 6.30pm with food in our faces at 6.45. Not bad, not bad at all.
So, the food?
The cheeseburger is a little bundle of deliciousness. Somehow I enjoyed my original Meatwagon burger more, I think it was cheesier? Juicier? I’m not quite sure why, but as far as burgers in London goes, this is still pretty damn awesome. Of course, there ain’t no Shake Shack here.
Panu wanted to try the Philly cheese steak. It is completely nothing like a traditional Philly cheese steak hoagie (not enough cheese whiz, soggy bread and what are those? Capsicum?!) BUT! It was utterly tasty, tender and juicy and I dare say Panu enjoyed it more than his burger.
The onion rings are HEAVEN. That is all I have to say about that.
This monstrosity is a chilli dog. I didn’t order this, but some of the crazy people I went with decided it’d be a good idea to tackle this baby. And they did. It all looked a little sloppy but I think they quite enjoyed it.
Someone also ordered a mac ‘n cheese. It looks a little trendy with spring onions scattered across the top, no? But it was dirty delicious all the same.
So the sad news is that #MEATEASY will only be at the Goldsmith Tavern until this weekend, April 16. If you haven’t been, GO. They are open Tuesday through to Saturday but one word of advice, arrive before 6pm because… the queue. Oh my, the queue. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
For updates on their whereabouts or maybe whispers of a new location, check out the Meatwagon website.
#MEATEASY
Above the Goldsmith Tavern
316 New Cross Road
New Cross, SE14 6AF
0774 775 1201
website
