The Hunger Buster

Feeling peckish after dropping the youngster off at the Havant South Downs College was the excuse I needed to take me to the PJHotsnax burger van just before the roundabout on B1250 that takes one onto the A3

For a cheese burger with onions and a jumbo lincolnshire sausage hot dog

Good value. Not the standard commercial burger patty. Tasty and breakfast sorted.

Everyone does a Sunday Roast. Not just in the UK either.

Known variously as Sunday lunch, Sunday dinner, roast dinner, full roast and more commonly as just another carvery. A tradition that has spread and is enjoyed by many throughout the English speaking world.

Even in South Africa where it is often served with rice.

 

As such, one roast is much the same as the next. The preferred cut of meat, roast pork, beef, lamb or chicken and crisp roast potatoes. Together with accompaniments such as Yorkshire pudding, stuffing and gravy. Eaten with condiments including apple sauce, mint sauce, or redcurrant jelly.

Then there are the vegetables which can broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, parsnips, or peas, either boiled, steamed, creamed or roasted alongside the meat and potatoes.

 

So it was not unusual to see a board outside the Langbrook Farm promoting the unbiquitous roast. Nor was there any reason to believe their slogan of a Carvery Like No Other. But what did catch my eye was the price on offer. That was different.

Difficult to believe and reason enough to take a closer look.

Being distrusting by nature I had few expectations but not only were the prices kind on the pocket, the food on offer was as good if not better than most.

 

The standard serving was generous and if I am not mistaken just under ten pounds on the weekend. Substantially less during the week. The potatoes although not strictly crispy were soft rather than leatherly, as is so often the case with a buffet style serving and the Yorkshire pud light and perfectly acceptable.

In a lay by on the Petersfield Liphook bypass on the A3. I think it is the Nosh Wagon on the north bound carriage way and the Honey Bear if you are travelling south.

[Edit] The van appears to have moved. Not sure if it has been relocated or closed

Recently there has been a lot of activity in and around the food van on the A27 westbound between the Stockbridge and Fishbourne roundabouts.

Looking suspiciously like new owners.

 
Being curious I pulled up this morning for a burger and a coke.

 

The van has been given a complete makeover. Sporting shiny new stainless steel surfaces with a couple of tables where one can tuck into a breakfast and relax over coffee. It’s also, as far as I am aware the only roadside van open on a Saturday.

 

Besides breakfast the menu includes burgers, paninis sausage in a roll and chips.

Every supermarket and convenience store does it.

But besides the price which is invariably three pounds, there is a difference in both the value and quality of what each one’s meal deal offers.

They generally work on a mix and match basis. From a selection of items you get to choose a snack, a sticky drink and a sandwich or wrap, for a set price.

Sometimes, for example at ASDA, you are given the choice of choosing three items and getting the cheapest product for free. Their pre-packed sushi. If you missed breakfast and have a thing about sushi you can buy three packs for the price of two.

But if you are a student, it is not just savings on normal retail prices that need to be compared, it’s quality, quantity and overall value for money that matters.

No relation but there is a Hunger Busters food van at the beachfront in Selsey.

[Edit] 2021-12-08 There have been a few changes.

The Riviera has been rebranded as the Boulevard, the trading name of the sister restaurant in East Wittering. The outside deck area has been upgraded,  there have been a few changes to the menu and in particular I believe that the carvery on Thursday is no longer an option.

But the full English breakfast at the Riviera Cafe in Selsey is a hard one to beat.

The eggs are fresh, there is two of everything on a large plate and it’s well cooked.

On the whole breakfast menu’s in Chichester and surrounds are all much the same. Not that much variety, a bit dull. No fried bread as far as I am aware and an old favourite; French toast served with crispy bacon and marmalade is a rare find.

Whereas the fried slice is pretty much a standard option on the menus in the cafes in Selsey.

The Riviera also offer sliced ham with bubble and squeak, topped with poached eggs. A little bit different. One I enjoyed.

There is plenty of seating and the service is generally fast and efficient. It’s a bit like a retro 60’s Diner with bench seats and tables tucked away in cubicles.