So I’ll admit, vegan fast food might not be top of my list of places to visit.
But when after a bit of a do, with great canapes and wine, myself and my date found ourselves hungry, it was top of the list. Much as I adore a launch, unless you hover directly next to the kitchen, foregoing catching up with people and having a good nosey around, canapes do not a full meal make. And there was another consideration to our choice. My date was lactose intolerant. So that distinctly narrowed our choices – especially for something quick, tasty and nearby.
Then I had an idea. I’d been following Frost Burgers for a while. Originally based in Liverpool, the new venue on Portland Street is their second site, and my, does their Instagram feed look delicious. The venue itself is easy to find, and take away and delivery is on the menu as well as dine in. There’s plenty of comfy seating with a bit of an 80s industrial vibe. Casual, relaxed, somewhere you could meet a date, just as easily as a bunch of mates.
I knew it was a winner when my date saw the menu. His eyes lit up. Burgers, fries, shakes, and ice cream. Not only could he have his burger and eat it, he could slurp a shake, nibble on onion rings, and dunk fries in sauces.
The menu is split, as you’d expect, into burgers, sides, drinks and desserts. The burgers cover a wide range of styles from chicken free, to beef free and variations with extra patties, cheez or bacon free. Given the excitement of my date, we went all in. A Bacation for me (chicken style coated patty, cheez, not bacon, lettuce, tomato and sauces) and for him a Double Trouble (2 beef style patties, cheese, lettuce, tomato and sauces). We shared a side of curly fries, a side of onion rings and tried every dip on the menu. For research of course. Add in a can of Karma Kola for him and Gingerella for me, and we were set.
Everything was delicious. Flavours, textures – the patties were thick enough to be satisfying, with a good bite to them. The buns soft, the sauces cut through the fat. The onion rings were thick and crisp, the fries lightly spiced. All the things you want from junk food just vegan.
As dessert, my date was so excited we ended up with ice cream (Frosty soft serve) and milkshakes. Because why do one when you can do both.
The soft serve was texturally a bit more like a sorbet, and topped with anything that takes your fancy – Oreo cookies, digestives, pineapple, biscoff – there’s something for all tastes. But even I had to admit, the shakes were a bit special.
I mean, just look at them. We opted for something biscuity – Oreo for me, Biscoff for him. They’re indulgent and delicious, but unlike dairy style shakes, they’re much lighter. Normally had this been any other chain, I’d have been over faced. Have to pick between sides or a shake, never both. These were still a shake lovers dream, but much less heavy and rich. Sure, I definitely couldn’t finish the ice cream as well, but that shake has gone on my mental list of tasty things to be revisited. Repeatedly.
Oh and for those fussed, yes you can tell it’s not meat, but you don’t miss it. And personally I’m a bit beyond that conversation now – as a committed omnivore, I don’t mind whether my burger bun has meat, or is meat free, it’s what suits my mood, my taste buds and my company. If it’s good, it’s good. And this is good.