As January draws to a close and payday finally arrives after what feels like the longest month of the year, a comforting plate of hearty pub grub is just what’s needed. With most of us tightening our belts after the festive season, I was delighted to see one of my local pubs, The Greedy Goat in Crumlin, launching a selection of budget-friendly menus. Among them, a £10 brunch menu and a two-course early-bird option for just £12, both offering fantastic value.
I had previously reviewed this venue when it was The Crooked Glen, but this was my first time back since its rebrand and change in management last year. Stepping inside, we grabbed a cosy seat by the roaring fire, taking in the warm, inviting atmosphere. It was heartening to see other diners enjoying a lunchtime bite, a welcome sight for any hospitality venue during typically quieter hours.
As I had looked at the brunch menu before visiting, I knew exactly what I wanted: Chicken and Waffles. Having fallen in love with this dish on a trip to the States, I rarely pass up the opportunity to order it when I spot it on a menu here, while my friend opted for the Chinese Chicken Pitta with Fries.
Since it was lunchtime and I had to head back to work, we stuck to soft drinks. A friendly waitress promptly took our order, and before long, our meals arrived.
Now, I always say that nothing quite beats the ambience of a proper country pub, and The Greedy Goat certainly delivers. The crackling fire and attentive staff ensure that if it’s your first visit, it certainly won’t be your last.
At just £10 per dish, we weren’t expecting anything too extravagant, but I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and freshness of the food. My Chicken and Waffles were a delightful balance of sweet and savoury, with the waffles drizzled with honey and the chicken topped with perfectly melted cheese. I had half-expected the chicken to be the usual pre-made, southern-fried variety, so I was pleasantly shocked to find that it tasted freshly made in-house. Succulent, juicy, and packed with flavour, it exceeded my expectations.
However, it wasn’t until I reread the menu while writing this review that I realised they had forgotten the bacon and fries that were meant to accompany my dish. That said, the quality of the meal more than made up for it, and I was still happy to pay £10, even if the fries were missing.
The Chinese Chicken Pitta, served with a side salad and fries, was described by my friend as reminiscent of honey chilli chicken. The chicken, mixed with peppers and onions, was clearly freshly prepared and had a lovely balance of flavours. After sneaking a bite, I had to agree it was delicious, though I couldn’t quite pinpoint what made it so moreish.
All in all, our meal came to £24.45 for two, which is fantastic value for a freshly prepared and filling lunch. Based on this experience alone, I’d definitely return. The Greedy Goat offers a warm, welcoming pub atmosphere with food that doesn’t break the bank and is definitely a hidden gem worth visiting.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.
English (United States) ·