Meatcure

Bedford is brimful of burgers! 

When we heard that Meatcure was expanding into Bedford there was, amidst the excitement, a cynical, whispering voice in the back of our head that questioned whether Bedford’s food scene is in need of a touch more diversity. This is the third burger joint to open in the last few years, it said. Bedford is, increasingly, a town of festival, art and culture and our foody folk can be trusted to turn out for something different. French, maybe? A modern (non-buffet!) Chinese or bao place?


That grumbling, though, was quickly forgotten on our first visit. Everyone loves a good burger, after all, and the regeneration which Meatcure brings to the top of the High Street should be welcomed by the most ardent of vegans. The building, formerly one of Bedford’s biggest eyesores, looks great both inside (where they have opted for a relaxed, modern industrial aesthetic) and out.

The beef hotdog smothered in chilli, and a burger
with chorizo and caramelised onions

We were invited to a launch event where we were treated to piles of sliders brought round on platters, sampling a classic cheese burger, a Southern fried chicken burger (with Meatcure’s own, delicious, Armageddon chilli sauce) and a burger of pulled beef brisket in a sweet BBQ sauce. We have been back since to try other items on the menu, including the beef hotdog smothered in chilli, and a burger with chorizo and caramelised onions.


The beef patties had a richness that suggests they are of decent quality, though their overall flavour was fairly mellow and was drowned out in the burger with the chorizo. They were on the thin side and cooked all the way through, which for us meant they were leaning towards being just a little dry, which could also be said about the chicken burger. But if your preference is for a compact, tidy burger that, depending on your table manners, wont end up all over your face and fingers, you will enjoy them.


The chilli dog, in contrast, was messy, fiery, and the sausage had all the flavour of a classic American frank. The beef brisket slider we had was delicious, so it’s a shame we haven’t seen it on the main menu since the opening.


For us, a better and more diverse selection of beers is a must, particularly when the new Brewhouse and Kitchen over the road offers a broad range of more flavourful lagers and IPAs.

Overall, Meatcure is a solid offering

The service has not been perfect so far, with items missed and requests forgotten about, but food has generally been brought out speedily and the staff are cheery and welcoming.


Overall, Meatcure is a solid offering where you are likely to find something you will be happy with at a reasonable price (burgers are, generally, a few pounds cheaper than at Smokeshack on Mill Street.) The food is rich, filling, and tastes pretty much how you would expect.


Does it offer Bedford’s best burger in this increasingly crowded market? We’re not sure. But we’re going to try and find out.


Better get eating…

Have you been? If so, let us know on Twitter!