I used to go to Annie's quite a lot before I started this blog, however it's been a while since I visited. A catch up with an old mate from outside Nottingham gave me the perfect excuse to revisit and see if it was as good as I remember.
This place is synonymous for good beer and exciting burgers, and is an institution as far as Nottingham folk are concerned.
My friend and I headed there on Monday evening, and thankfully it was pretty quiet. I have been on occasion (granted mostly at weekends or at lunch time) and it's been rammed to the rafters and the wait for a table has been loooooong.
The menu varies wildly, from the 'bacon cheddar' – doing exactly what it says on the tin, to the outrageous 'Elvis' – a half pound burger topped with peanut butter and raspberry jam.
I love the fact you can choose from a beef patty, chicken breast, veggie or 100% vegan. Literally anyone can enjoy Annie's.
We were seated by the window, and quickly ordered drinks. However we then started chatting and didn't look at the menu for ages (sorry to the extremely patient waiting staff).
Eventually we ordered food. I went for the 'North Carolina'. A burger (I opted for chicken) topped with 8 hour slow cooked bbq pulled pork and crispy fried onions. (I removed the red leicester cheese). I also upgraded to sweet potato fries. Usually I buck the trend at Annie's, opting to order a hot dog (I know, I know) so this was the first time I have gone for a burger (albeit chicken). I was really impressed! The chicken was juicy and tasty, and the bbq pulled pork was amazing. So succulent! If you read my blog you'll know how much I enjoy pulled pork. I was tempted to ask for this without the chicken just to have only bbq pork but I am really glad I didn't. The crispy onions were divine and really made the burger amazing. Maybe I should have been more daring, but I am glad I went for something I knew I would love. Maybe next time I will go for the Sunday dinner burger! I did have to send the sweet potato fries back as they arrived stone cold 🙁 However it was quickly rectified, no harm done.
My mate went for 'The Broadway' – A beef burger, layered with a Scottish sausage patty, grilled chicken breast, bacon, melted american cheddar and bbq sauce on the side. Wow this was a whopper! Describing it as tasty between bites, my friend really enjoyed it. He had the skinny fries, that were warm, not piping hot as you would expect.
There are loads of different options for toppings, so you can be as adventurous as you like here. The vibe is really chilled and the decor is great. What makes this place for me is the sheer inventiveness of the food and I love the novelty factor of it. It's a great place to bring out-of-towners, and I will definitely be back for more soon!
@Annie
What is on a Carolina burger?
Carolina style refers to an established set of condiments for hot dogs and hamburgers, originating in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions of North Carolina. The classic combination is chili, slaw and onions; locally, mustard sometimes replaces slaw, or is added as a fourth item.
Hi Annie, I have no problem with your burgers being authentic,I was championing how good they were back in 2012 when I was back from the states visiting blighty 🙂 I loved them when I first found you in the Navigation it was such a treat. My experience of living in the triangle RTP was mustard , slaw, and chopped onions, on burgers and hot dogs, and as for BBQ locally it was chopped pork with vinegar, not pulled pork. So I guess there are lots of regional variations? I appreciate mixing it all up so that the British can understand, but friends of mine from NC, Raleigh Durham had different opinions. Sorry Will Flirt’s! randomly hijacking your comments page 🙂 lets be honest I love Annie for bringing some proper burgers to Nottingham from Rhode Island
Haha no worries at all!
I love Annie’s too. I’ve not had the pleasure of a road trip around America but I hope to one day. Until then, I’ll be content with Annie’s! X
Hi my food hunt! That’s one way of describing it. I understand what you mean. Although if you do it properly, you would just have the pork with bread. Maybe a bit of red slaw I’ve never heard of it with mustard and onions but you know that sounds cool too. Chilli?? My stepmother and her family are long time deal old generational North Carolinans. The real deal and I go there to visit them and my Dad. So you can imagine I’ve had plenty of pulled pork from a neighbourhood home pit as well as the proper red neck (there words not mine!) local restaurants. I am American through and through. And the point is this: We all have the same traditional Thanksgiving all across the States. But everybody will have their own spin on it. This menu is American made through and through chuck! 100 percent genuine and bona fide (read that in a N Carolinan accent for full effect) You don’t have to worry about us not being authentic. You can eat that pork with assurance! Take care! Annie xx
Hi my food hunt! That’s one way of describing it. I understand what you mean. Although if you do it properly, you would just have the pork with bread. Maybe a bit of red slaw I’ve never heard of it with mustard and onions but you know that sounds cool too. My stepmother and her family are long time deal old generational North Carolinans. The real deal and I go there to visit them and my Dad. So you can imagine I’ve had plenty of pulled pork from a neighbourhood home pit as well as the proper red neck (there words not mine!) local restaurants. I am American through and through. And the point is this: We all have the same traditional Thanksgiving all across the States. But everybody will have their own spin on it. This menu is American made through and through chuck! 100 percent genuine and bona fide (read that in a N Carolinan accent for full effect) You don’t have to worry about us not being authentic. You can eat that pork with assurance! Take care! Annie xx
If it’s tasty it is always a good thing!
Sounds good, although a classic North Carolina burger is topped with chili, coleslaw, mustard, and usually chopped raw onion. It seems to be the way these days to just add BBQ or Pulled Pork and call it a Carolina Burger. Don’t get me started on the British USA menus 🙂
Ah thanks for the tip! I really enjoyed it though. Could eat it right now!!
Hi my food hunt! That’s one way of describing it. I understand what you mean. Although if you do it properly, you would just have the pork with bread. Maybe a bit of red slaw I’ve never heard of it with mustard and onions but you know that sounds cool too. My stepmother and her family are long time deal old generational North Carolinans. The real deal and I go there to visit them and my Dad. So you can imagine I’ve had plenty of pulled pork from a neighbourhood home pit as well as the proper red neck (there words not mine!) local restaurants. I am American through and through. And the point is this: We all have the same traditional Thanksgiving all across the States. But everybody will have their own spin on it. This menu is American made through and through chuck! 100 percent genuine and bona fide (read that in a N Carolinan accent for full effect) You don’t have to worry about us not being authentic. You can eat that pork with assurance! Take care! Annie xx