Wetherspoons gets a bad rap from some quarters, but it’s undeniable that it’s the best destination if you want cheap beer, cheap grub, a surprising level of consistency, and no ambient music drowning you out as you set the world to rights.
It’s a rare town indeed that doesn’t have its own ‘Spoons, and each one has its own character thanks to the company’s scattergun venue selection.
Now, if you’re turning up to a Wetherspoons expecting fine cuisine, you’re in the wrong place. It’ll do the job, it’ll taste decent, it won’t cost much, but it won’t be winning much praise from Gordon Ramsay.
The occasional snide patron might make a big fuss about how most of the food is microwaved, as if anyone shovelling some bargain bangers and mash down their throat is apt to care.
But if you absolutely insist on eating fresh at ‘Spoons, there is an option. Provided you’re a red-meat-eater, of course.
Macey Newberry, a TikToker with over 43,000 followers on her @bigmacnew TikTok account, has lifted the lid on which menu item is guaranteed not to come out of a microwave.
"If you're looking to spice up your relationship and take your bird out somewhere nice and classy, get her down to the local pub and treat her," she says. You might baulk at the idea, but wait! Your presumably-not-a-vegetarian bird won’t turn her beak up at a £12 steak, will she?
"Everyone hates on a Spoons steak dinner, but personally I love it," she said, noting that her order of choice is the gourmet steak with a side of chips, peas, vegetables, and peppercorn sauce.
"I probably shouldn't be telling you this because it is a bit of insider information from working in Spoons,” she continues.
According to Macey, it’s “the freshest meal Wetherspoons make”.
"Where else can you get a steak dinner for cheaper than 12 quid?” she asked. “Nowhere."
The steak is always cooked to order – and honestly, good luck cooking a steak in a microwave – the chips are always fried fresh, and it’s just the sauces and veggies that get spun through a microwave.
"You just can't go wrong with a steak meal, you know what you're getting, you know you're going to enjoy it - so get it," she insists.
Despite her enthusiasm, it hasn’t quite washed with every commenter.
"Spoons steaks are really hit and miss,” said one Wetherspoons aficionado. “I've had some awful ones, but some pretty decent ones as well. But for £10/15, you can't really grumble."
Others were convinced, however: "Next date night me and my bird will treat ourselves for a nice steak." It’s good to know that, in these trying economic times, birds of the nation are still getting spoiled by their 'better' halves.
“I love the chips from Wetherspoons”, said another. Newberry replied: "They are McCains!"
And credit to Macey; that’s a more charitable response than ‘cool story, bro’.
Featured Image Credit: Peter Dazeley via Getty ImagesTopics: TikTok
Rachael Davis