Long before Nigella tried to make her kitchen gadget sound more posh by calling it a Mee-Cro-Wah-Vay, my family were upping the status of fast food by calling that potato place Spu-Doo-Lee-Kay. In the 90s you could get a reasonably priced snack lunch there, which felt slightly more healthy than many other fast food outlets. But over the next couple of decades, the prices went up in comparison with the others- McDo's KFC, Burger King etc all seemed a lot cheaper [and were introducing salads and more healthy options] In 2019 the chain went into receivership and sadly 300 jobs were lost.
But it's back again! Last week it was announced that the company had been bought by Albert Bartlett [the 'Rooster potato' company] and is working with TV chef James Martin to produce a new menu. I had a look at the website
I have to say, it looks tasty - BBQ Pork ribs, Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese, and Chickpea Dhal are a million miles from a dollop of baked beans or a scattering of grated cheese.James says he loved Spudulike as a child and jumped at the chance to get involved with the project. He does look like a comfortable 'gentleman farmer' in this picture, don't you think? There will be ten stores- the first four [including one in Norwich] open this weekend. They are not putting prices on the internet yet, so I'm not sure if I'll be going. We wait and see...
I've never heard of the chain though I recognise the name. Love a jacket.x
ReplyDeleteWe like James Martin and his recipes are good. I get nervous when a famous chef opens a chain of restaurants, so many of them have failed. I believe Michel Roux the younger championed Albert Bartlett potatoes at one time, in fact I seem to remember that that connection is what got him bumped off the Master Chef series and replaced by Marcus Waring. We like him too!
ReplyDeleteIf I see a "SpudULike" we will give it a go!
Looking at the website it seems there is or will be one not far away at the Mansfield retail park.....I'll let you know how it goes!!
ReplyDeleteThank you - it's always good to get a recommendation (or a caution!) from a friend
DeleteGood news! A Spud-you-like was a treat in student days!
ReplyDeleteI love all that you can do with a baked potato. I like mine with guacamole, or even just ( real) butter!
ReplyDeleteThere's the chain in France La Pataterie (https://www.lapataterie.fr/) - I've eaten there a couple of times. Very generous portions - but then the prices aren't cheap...12/14€ for a baked potato needs to have quite a lot of extras!
ReplyDeleteOur closest store is thirty eight miles away, so I don't think we'll be dropping in any time soon!
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