Grillstock

If you have been wandering around the Triangle in the last few months you may have noticed a very juicy new addition to its many eateries. Tucked away in that slightly grotty corner, which the likes of Mbargoes and Cosmo call home, is a meat lover’s dream. Some of you may have sampled their carnivorous delights from their pop up stall in St Nicholas Market, however for the real all-American experience Grillstock's residence on the Triangle is second to none. Craving a barbecue hit, Laura and I braved the dire Bristol weather for a meaty mid-week treat.

From the single long table which stretches the length of the restaurant to the plates and platters brimming with succulent meat and BBQ sauce, this place is made for sharing. Grab whatever chair is available and prepare to rub shoulders and chow down with strangers, safe in the knowledge that you all share one delicious thing in common: a smokey, sticky love for barbecue. However, even before you hit the main event Grillstock will tick many other boxes. The first thing to really hit you is the smell. Having been lured in from the icy street by the bold, no-nonsense exterior, we were instantly enveloped by the sweet aroma of barbecued chicken, pork and beef. The waitresses flash you smiles as sweet as the smell and will either direct you to one of the leather clad stools or ask if you’d like to wait until a seat becomes available (if this is the case, wait. Definitely wait). The chefs are really cheerful and chatted away with us over the counter, despite having been standing over a boiling hot grill all day. Grabbing a beer, we consulted the formidable menu.

For a mere £8, their barbecue plates are piled high with the meat of your choice- pulled pork, beef brisket, smokin’ chicken or babyback ribs- and come with a mountain of fries, slaw, hot link sausage and pickles. Opting for the pulled pork board, I felt an inappropriately strong surge of excitement as the platter of heaven appeared in front of me. The pork was tender and sweet, balanced out perfectly by the saltiness of the fries and the sourness of the pickles. My only criticism was that the promise of a 'hot link sausage' is a little misleading; expecting a whole, juicy sausage, I was actually presented with three measly pieces which, despite being absolutely delicious, were so small/few that they may as well not have been there. This doesn't detract from the menagerie of barbecued goodness on the rest of the plate, but worth keeping in mind.

My advice would be to go for the Smokestack burger, Laura's choice, which for the same price includes the same mountain of fries and slaw, as well as a juicy burger complete with a generous portion of pulled pork sandwiched inside the bun.

If you are feeling really hardcore, like the gentleman opposite me was, get your paws on the Lockjaw burger: two patties, pulled pork, brisket and burnt ends, with a hefty helping of fries and slaw (just in case all that meat just isn’t quite enough).

This place is not for the fainthearted. Smother everything in their incredible house BBQ and spicy sauces and you are onto a winner. Grillstock also offers a selection of sandwiches, hot dogs and sides which will transport you from the rainy West Country straight to the heart of America's deep-south.

Apparently on Saturdays they crank up the hillbilly music and everyone sits around chomping, shouting and singing along, helping endorse their strap line, 'Meat, Music, Mayhem'. They also have plans to find a larger residence to house their carnivorous antics, where they'll be able to host live bands, fit in more tables and barbecue a whole load more meat. I'll be keeping my eyes out for this, but in the meantime I shall be rolling up my sleeves more often for the most mouth-watering anti-veggie establishment in BS8.

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