Cheap Eats

Dining at the BBC--no not the network, the restaurant!

Ale ain't the only thing on the menu at the British Beer Company

by Maggie Kulbokas

Upon our return from off Cape, we decided to stop for a quick bite at a favorite Upper Cape spot, The British Beer Company.  It was early, not much after 5pm and we were seated immediately in their across-the-pond inspired dining room.  Our server and the young woman shadowing her for the evening (in training) were sweet and attentive.

Having dined at this particular restaurant (they have several locations) a few times, and enjoying the food each time, the hardest part is picking something from the menu.  Almost everything sounds tasty and everything we’ve tasted has been.

The menu is uber casual and pub inspired.  Appetizers, burgers and sandwiches, salads, pizza and Brit fare fill the pages.  Dinner entrees are minimal, but who cares when you can nosh on an app and a sandwich or salad for what you would pay for dinner alone at most restaurants.

I typically start with chowder, as the BBC’s is particularly good, but tonight, we opted for their Mediterranean Artichoke Dip. I’ve sampled artichoke (and spinach) dip up and down the Cape.  And although theirs is not the best (that honor belongs to a restaurant in Wellfleet in my book), it was quite tasty. Not as hot as it should have been, it was creamy and you could taste how all the individual components mixed together.  God bless the person who first decided to mix artichoke, spinach and cheese. And extra points to the BBC for serving them with toasted pita chips! Other restaurants take note: nacho chips do not cut it.

Looking for a night of great food and entertainment? Check out the BBC events page for Karaoke and live entertainment.

To follow, the Flat Iron Steak was delicious.  I planned on dousing it with the steak sauce on the table, but there was no need—the green peppercorn demi-glace was tasty and just spicy enough.  Coupled with the creamy mashed potatoes and sautéed seasonal veggies (summer squash and zukes, what else?), it was a tasty dinner I didn’t have to prepare at home.

The Fireman’s Famous Steak Wrap was quite good. Shaved porterhouse, crumbled bleu cheese and caramelized onions in a whole-wheat wrap. Lean and yummy, with the bleu cheese adding just the right kick.  Add the crispy fries and one of those deli pickles you can’t actually get in a deli. And again, yummy.

As I mentioned above, we’ve been before and I again say (through others and personally) that everything has been delicious. From burgers and paninis to salads and pizzas. AND one last suggestion, try a Pasty Pie. As mentioned before, this is a Brit-inspired establishment. They have bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie and fish and chips on the menu.  But try the Pasty Pie. For me, not the ideal choice on a humid night, but come fall or winter dive in!  It’s an incredible comfort food feast in a flaky crust. I can personally vouch for the New England Pasty: Turkey, cornbread stuffing, cheddar mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. Did I mention baked in a crust? And served with veggies and gravy? God save the Queen!

On a final note, we thought we made a bad choice showing up on a Tuesday as folks, many with children, began to fill up the tables. I overheard a server tell a four top it was Kids Buy One Get One (BBC, please correct me if I did not hear that right) night. We sighed and waited, and nothing happened. All the families were lovely as were the children—KUDOS to you all!

We’ve been to the Sandwich BBC several times, and the BBC has locations in Falmouth, Hyannis, Plymouth, Cedarville, Framingham, Pembroke and Walpole. Prices are reasonable and portions are perfect.  If they are as consistent in service and menu at their seven other locations, they are making a lot of hungry patrons very happy.

The Sandwich British Beer Company is located at 46 Route 6a in Sandwich. Visit the website here or 508-833-9590.