Get ready for a mouth-watering adventure as we team up with the passionate and discerning palate of “Burgers He Wrote” on a quest to find the perfect burger! But that’s not all, this journey is about celebrating more than just the delicious bites; it’s about shining a spotlight on the incredible businesses we have right here in Andover.
If you’re a food lover and a supporter of local establishments, you won’t want to miss this thrilling blend of culinary exploration and community appreciation. Get ready to savour the flavours of Andover and fall in love with food all over again – because at Love Andover, we’re all about celebrating the best in food and our amazing community!
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A Food Review From Burgers He Wrote:
MR BLUE SKY – Southern fried chicken, bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, blue cheese, onions, burger sauce and blue cheese sauce in a toasted brioche bun – £11.75.
Duck & Tipple then. I’ve had the pleasure of doing several reviews here, and not yet had a bad experience, so if that’s anything to go by, this should be a doozy.
Temperatures have dropped outside, but I still rage on internally. This human radiator’s body scan is likely similar to Ngolo Kane’s Heat Map. Honestly, I’d be f*cked if the predator started chasing me right now, on all accounts.
I got to meet one of the owners Matthew, on this occasion, whilst previously meeting Morgan, finally completing my trip to M&M’s world if you must.
We got chatting about all things D&T, and it sprung to mind that I never really asked, why the name ‘Duck & Tipple’? A question I often ask myself about every independent start up, but never the proprietor. Hardly the most investigative journalist now, am I, and to think, I named myself after Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote, ironic that. I’m more of an introverted typewriter. If you’re in your late thirties or above, you’ve just been earwormed.
What better way to kick this review off, than with a cocktail, something that is a large part of who they are. Guessing that’s the tipple element.
“What’s your tipple?” – Vodka and coke.
“Me – lager, Finchy – lager, Gareth – lager, sometimes cider. So Different drinks for different needs.”
I’m no longer a Medium, but I do like my spirits. I’m an Old Fashioned, Espresso Martini, Manhattan, Dirty Long Island kinda guy, so whatever gets me plastered really, but I’m not adverse to sweeter options. Fortunately, M&M also have this covered. Like Candy from a Baby.
I asked to be surprised on this occasion and got served a key component of an Asian first aid kit, the Singapore Sling. Yes please!
This was my first time in trying, and all I can say is, I need to get out more, because there’s a whole host of cocktails, yet to be made, with my name written all over them, and if this one in particular, made by in house creative Cole, is anything to go by, then D&T is the place to try them.
I’ve only just realised that I’m supposed to be doing Dry January, and up until now, I’ve been bragging that I’m 20 days sober. Well, that’s and truly sh*t on my cornflakes! It’s only one drink but I didn’t even think about it at the time, l just graciously accepted the drink like only an alcoholic would, and here I am, 3 days into a bender, tea towel on my head, chatting utter codswallop to a stranger in a crack den. One drink, that’s all it takes. Lucky for me, that was all fabricated, and I’ve finally learnt some self-restraint.
January must hit pubs hard, whilst PT’s, Gym Owners and Water Bottle Manufacturers must have their eyes lighting up like Prince Andrew in a playground. Make the most of it ladies and gents, February to December is their turn.
D&T are currently running a Bottomless Bands promotion, which, for one and a half hours, you can sink unlimited, selected cocktails, any time, any day, all for only £25 per person! As if I needed any more encouragement! If the general cost of cocktails makes you wince, they also have a fantastic deal of 2 for £10 on selected ones, with the Cherry Dr. P tickling my fancy. What’s the worst that could happen?
D&T provide food that’ll keep the wolf from the door so to speak, with offerings that are designed to keep you going, especially if you’ve had a skinful, like Jeffrey Dahmer. Things like their Charcuterie Boards are great for sharing, whether it’s ladies night, a couples retreat, or lads on tour.
As far as the rest goes, it’s simplistic but slightly more refined than your average boozer, with starters, sides, and their burgers to keep you going during your visit.
Their loaded fries are the perfect accompaniment if you’re day drinking, with plenty of options to choose from, this being an area of focus for them in 2024, so keep your eyes, and potatoes, peeled.
“Milligan, Cleese, Everett…Sessions.”
The fries they serve with their burgers are always seasoned well. I reckon Chef would be fantastic on The Krypton Factor because they’re bloody good on a Salt Course. I got up from my place of dining to offer these fries out to other customers, having been so convinced how good they are.
A father and daughter were sat together inside, whilst on their weekly catch up, which in itself was a humbling moment, and serves as a reminder, of how important time is, and what you do with it.
These two, Dicky & Jasmine, offered for me to sit with them, which is a first for these reviews, and brief though it was (Alright Yoda), I really enjoyed the opportunity, so I’d like to thank them.
Jasmine fried the tries, I mean, tried the fries, and wholeheartedly concurred with my opinion.
“I’m not used to public squeaking, I piss pronunciate a lot of my worms…….. Do you not…That’s the Two Ronnies, that is classic stuff.”
Dicky then waxed lyrical on Andover getting a bad rep, what it used to be like living here, and how the town covets support from locals, in order for it to thrive again.
We also slagged off that follicly challenged, middle class, lispy guff nugget, Phil Carr, who once did a guide to Andover, that Andoverian’s themselves found amusing, not realising they were being subversively mocked, and basically pigeonholed as Neanderthal’s. I don’t condone violence, but if that pretentious, Waitrose shopping, y-front wearing, odd looking, posh spazz Phil Carr, ever sets foot in this town again, I wouldn’t disagree with the local Seagulls covering his car in excrement, or someone nutting in his Grande Macchiato. Almond Milk cumming straight up.
“Imagine him in a band, bald old git!”
At the time this muppet visited Andover, we were 30th on the list of worst places to live in England, and we’re now 7th, so I’d just like to take this time to congratulate whoever is responsible, in council, and for town improvements, as you’ve done a marvellous job in moving us up 23 places. Carry on at this rate, and we’ll have a Christmas Number 1 this year.
We can all do something to help, by focusing on what we have in front of us, take control and do better, for the sake of ourselves, but if applicable, our children’s future. If every one person did something productive, in support of improvement for the community, positive steps can be taken, it’s proven. Support local, independently owned companies, attend local music gigs, spend your money in this town, otherwise it will turn into a generic, dilapidated Zombieland, with only Tesco’s to shop in.
“Tell the people what you’re here for” – Gang Starr.
I went slightly off piste there, so Back To The Foodture. Having tried 3 of their burgers previously, I knew what to expect. Matt downplayed the food, setting expectations lower than they need to be, under promising and over delivering, as I’ve always enjoyed their food, and this time it’s no different.
I was offered to try the longest standing item on the menu, and what has proven to be their most popular, ‘Mr. Blue Sky’. Please tell us why you had to hide away for so long, as it might just be my favourite that I’ve tried from there.
Sure, ‘Southern Fried’ anything will generally indicate that not a great deal of process has gone into it, but you’ve still got to cook it, then pair it with other components, prep the remaining elements, and finally churn it out to the discerning customer, aka me.
The foamy hot pockets of grease that bubble up on bacon gets me a bit horny, and it’s Streaky Bacon Rashers over every other type, so that’s a positive here, with it being perfectly cooked.
I haven’t reviewed a burger with Blue Cheese for Love Andover yet, and I’m always slightly sceptical about ordering one. Generally, you’ll find it with Beef, but I suppose unsurprisingly, it works with Chicken too, and the addition of a Blue Cheese sauce really Rams it home, like the 2021 Super Bowl.
Everything else is relatively standard, but combo wise, and in terms of taste, when it’s cooked well, which it was, it’s a winner. Maybe of the Caribou Cup, but it’s silverware, nonetheless.
I’ve talked about scales previously, in relation to scoring, and how run of the mill burger vans, or bog-standard breweries perhaps cannot achieve higher than, say a 7. This is above that, and enters the realms of 7-8, with it being more unique than the aforementioned, but having less artistry than homemade burgers from pubs, and the burger specialists. With that in mind, and considering how much I enjoy my experience here, it’s worthy of an 8, and if you multiply James Worthy’s numbers on his jersey from his days as a Lakers, that’s exactly what you’ll get. F*ck me, I’ve turned into Walter Sparrow.
Score – 8
This Burger was a Blue Sky on a Grey Day. She walked in and lit up the room, most of my exes walked in and lit up a fag. She was bubbly and loved a good time, spending most of it more sozzled than a George Best Tribute Act. She kicked out a bit of a whiff, a bit like opening the fridge door on Boxing Day, but that didn’t stop proceedings, just popped on a peg and turned into Prime Michael Phelps.
You can order this burger, along with all their food on Just Eat / Deliveroo now! But if you do fancy popping in to try out one of their burgers, when you mention “Burgers He Wrote” to staff in D&T, you’ll get 20% off burgers!!!! This will only be from Friday 19th January 2024 to Friday 26th January 2024. Don’t say I don’t do anything for you!!!
Yours sincerely,
Freddie’s Funny Stories:
Freddo here, drenched after a game against Peterborough, way back when. On the topic of weather, he was walking home with Kelly recently, and not handling the cold well, he says, “I’m putting my lips on the radiator when I get home”, following that up with, “I wish I had fur like dogs”, and lastly, off topic, he blurts out, “Slugs & Snails are just the same, except snails are like ninja turtles!”. Pretty bloody eventful walk home, and one of the reasons I recommend ‘Walking with Freddie’.
