Wimbledon punters are giving their thumbs-up to traditional pub grub, backing up a national survey that revealed Britain’s favourite pub fare last w
By Patrick Barrett, Niki Seth-Smith, Will Saunders and Liam Kennedy
Wimbledon punters are giving their thumbs-up to traditional pub grub, backing up a national survey that revealed Britain’s favourite pub fare last week.
Steak and chips was the nation-wide winner, with roast beef and fish and chips coming second and third on the nation’s ideal pub menu.
Pubs in Wimbledon have had to adjust to the change in taste.
The Alexandra pub on the Broadway launched a National Grub Fortnight last Monday, offering traditional British dishes for a fiver.
Dara Lawless, barman at the Alexandra, said: “Business wasn’t so good before, but this has brought a lot of punters in.
“Fish and chips is our top seller, and steak and ale pie also does fairly well.”
Chris Gaynor, editor of gastronome website Plentyonyourplate.com, says the survey results are not surprising in the light of the recession, but also that standard fare is becoming trendy in its own right.
“People are cutting back, definitely. More people are eating in than eating out,” he said.
“But basic food is also coming back into fashion. The classic phrase is ‘less is more’.”
John Grover, manager of the Brewery Tap on Wimbledon High Street, said they had introduced a more international menu a couple of years ago, but had been going back to basics to cope with the recession.
“We’ve had to introduce a credit crunch lunch, and bargain bites,” he said.
The survey was conducted by Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer and also revealed that nearly three-quarters of people feel nostalgic about the food they had as a child.
