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The SHACK Torquay

7/12/2014

1 Comment

 
So, if you read our last review about Beast Burgers, you will have seen the last sentence about spying something across the road.
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The Shack Torquay
Here it is, The Shack!
A newly opened Chargrilled Chicken and Burger restaurant situated on Torwood Street, which is in the old Hooks building.

We booked our place on a thursday evening and headed down.
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Open Plan Kitchen Area
LARGE

As you walk in to this new restaurant the size is quite deceptive and it is a lot larger than it seems from the outside.
The main thing that greets you though, smack bang in the middle of the restaurant is the cooking area which is in full view of everyone in the restaurant and to us was a brilliant idea.
As we went through the menu we watched Chris and his team building the burgers with what seemed like precision rather than throwing them together and getting them out as quick as possible.
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Menu
Looking through the menu there is a great choice to be had, and with the Classic Shack burger and all the 'extra' options you are spoilt for choice.
Sarah had already chosen 'The Italian Job at home and I decided to go for the 'Classic Shack' with Monterey Jack cheese and Spicy Chorizo.
Our waitress asked if we would like to try some coleslaw which neither of us had considered so I just went for the classic while Sarah decided on 'Shack Special' which is a white cabbage, pineapple, peach and mayo combo... interesting.
We also went with two differing types of fries to try too, not that we were hungry or anything..
(and before you ask, yes of course I doubled up my burger, what a silly question!!)
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The Italian Job Burger, Skinny Fries and Shack Special Coleslaw
NO GIMMICKS

We waited with anticipation as we watched our plate of food being built then delivered to us.

The presentation is fantastic, laid out on a long rectangular plate, it looked very good indeed.

The top of the beautiful looking brioche bun is set to the side exposing the inner ingredients.
Under the slices of salami in Sarahs Italian Job burger was melting mozzarella with a neat dollop of pesto sitting nicely on top of both.
Under the burger itself was some nice looking rocket salad.
One good thing to note was the use of actual crockery, no slate, wooden boards, small buckets or Barbie doll washing baskets, just good crockery... Like It!!
First off we tried each of the coleslaws. 
Unfortunately there are no close up pics of these as we are obviously slackers but here goes..
The classic slaw is that, like most other classic slaws, and a very good one too.
The Shack Special was different, in a good way with the small pieces of peach being a tasty edition, with the smooth texture a winner too bit Sarah thought it may be lacking a little something but this didn't detract from the fact this is a good coleslaw.

The fries were next, with Sarahs skinny fries and my twisted fries. Both were good and not soggy which helps if you are going for good fries.
These to me were good fries, nothing different but as a side they went well with the meal.
Lets face it though, you really aren't here to hear about bits of potato are you?
Lets see the meat!!
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Rocket, Burger, Mozzarella, Salami, Pesto in a Brioche Bun
As we have said before, we have watched a lot on youtube and especially Burger Wars on The Jack On The Go Show channel.
We have taken a few of the ideas they have (no not video reviews) with one being cutting the burger in half.
This not only shows off the various layers within the burger but also makes life easier when handling the burger too.

As you can see, Sarahs Italian Job burger was oozing with moisture, the light brioche bun sitting proudly on top.
The burger done to a medium, just as it says on the menu.
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Italian Job Burger
Going by Sarahs comments, her burger was extremely tasty and the brioche bun too was very good indeed.
The bun appears to have been buttered before lightly toasting which added to the flavour too.
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ONE POUND

As i said earlier i went for the Classic Shack burger but build it up a bit from the add on menu.
Chorizo and Monterey Jack topped mine along with the added burger for £3 extra.
This made a full 1lb burger for me to get my mouth around.As you can see, it comes nicely presented with 2 8oz patties and each covered in the melted monterey jack cheese.
In my opinion this is the way a 1lb burger should be served.
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Classic Shack Burger with added Monterey Jack Cheese and Spicy Chorizo along with the extra burger.
Right, lets wait no longer.. the tasting. 
Sarah had already had a bite of hers and you could tell she was enjoying it.
WOW, what a first mouthful!
The flavours shot around my mouth as the juices from the meat started running down my arm. This was going to take a battle.
The burgers are made from locally sourced meat and they are definitely full of flavour and quite rich too. 
The chorizo was there as well but not overwhelming and all topped off with the gooey joy that was the melted monterey.
You could also taste a slight charring mixed in with the flavour sensation going on in my mouth
The brioche bun was also a delight being extremely fresh with the butter and toasting making it extra special.
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Classic Shack with extras, Classic Slaw and Curly Fries
On a personal note I did begin to struggle as i was half way through the 2nd half but did carry on to complete it.
On thinking about it I don't think i should have gone for the added burger. 
There are enough flavours going on in there that along with the fries and slaw, personally I think that one patty would have been enough.
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1lb Classic Shack Burger with extra toppings
OVERALL

This restaurant is about damn good food and no gimmicks.
Good decor with the chef and his team as the centre piece of the room.
The staff waiting on the tables were also extremely pleasant and friendly too and seemed to be loving their jobs.
I would certainly recommend this place for anyone that would be thinking of going without a doubt.

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For more information about The Shack Torquay please click on either of the following
The Shack Torquay Website
The Shack Torquay Facebook Page
Thanks for coming here and taking the time to read this and other stuff on the website... Who knows where we will end up next!!
1 Comment
Chris link
7/11/2014 10:23:53 pm

Thank you for all your kind comments :) you are absolutely correct on all your observations. I made a very conscious decision to use crockery all of which is hand painted and exclusive to us in Torbay. We do butter the brioche before toasting to help caramelize the bun and we do as you say "build" each burger :).
On the patty i spent 4 days at the butchers trying various Cuts, Grinds and Seasonings to achieve the texture and flavour i desired. (my seasoning recipe and method is only know to me and the butcher and he is contracted not to divulge or sell else where) I wont go in to detail but as my butcher said to me he has never seen or made a burger this way. All i can say is we use the same cut and make small batches so that every individual burger contains the same protein and fat from the same cow. A truly "bespoke" patty :)

Again thank you for your review and taking the time to notice all that we are trying to do, look forward to feeding you again soon :)
regards
chris

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