I try two Burns' Night meals at Wetherspoons - they were great apart from two things

Reporter Tom Mack tucks into two plates from the Wetherspoons Burns' Week Specials menu
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited


Pub chain Wetherspoons has launched its Burns' Week Specials - a big Caledonian burger with whiskey sauce and the classic Scottish dish of haggis, neeps and tatties. I went along to The Corn Exchange in Leicester city centre to try both of them out ahead of Saturday, January 25, which is the poet Robert Burns' birthday.

Heading to the pub after a morning reporting in the magistrates' court, I already stuck out a bit wearing a shirt and suit jacket in Spoons. The two meals came with two drinks and I sat down alone at a table with a lemonade and a Pepsi, looking like a weirdo who'd gone out for lunch with his imaginary friend.

Half an hour later a waitress brought my two plates of food, served on the classic Wetherspoons crockery, and I tucked in, starting with the burger. I was immediately distracted by the delicious chips and onion rings, which tasted great dipped in the whiskey sauce, before getting onto the burger itself.

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Despite being too big to easily get into my mouth, and being served in a brioche bun that quickly began to disintegrate, it was a lovely burger. There were two beefburgers and a disc of haggis, along with lettuce, raw onion and a slice of tomato.

It was a bit dry but I used my fork to add a little whiskey sauce from the pot and then it was perfect. I couldn't stop myself from having one last onion ring - and then a couple of chips, too - before switching the plates around and moving onto my next lunch.

It's been a while since I've had haggis but the flavour and texture were good and it wasn't too peppery, which can be a problem. I can't say I'm a fan of haggis but it's interesting to eat - not really like anything else.

If you've never had it, now's the perfect time to try it. It's not suitable for vegetarians and I don't recommend Googling the ingredients, either.

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While the mashed potato was hot, buttery, smooth and delicious, the mashed swede was cold compared to the rest of the dish. But that was a nice excuse to just leave it on the plate and fill what space remained in my stomach with more of the chips.

The two meals, with the two soft drinks, came to just £17.48. It costs more if you want alcohol instead, with some fancy single-malt whiskies available.

Considering the price, it was a great couple of lunches, and the deal is available until Tuesday, January 28. While Wetherspoons on at night isn't everyone's cup of tea, it was a great atmosphere in the middle of the day.

The place was full of people, mostly the over-50s meeting up for lunch or a pint, and, as usual in a Wetherspoon, there was no music or telly noise - just the sound of happy chatter from people enjoying the cheapest booze in town.

As usual, the staff were all very friendly and while it wasn't worthy of full marks because of the cold neeps and stupid brioche bun, if you're a haggis fan, I'd definitely recommend going out for the Wetherspoons Burns' Week Specials with your friends, real or imaginary.

Our rating: 4/5

Official food hygiene rating: 5/5

Wetherspoons did not know we would be doing a review and we paid for our food.