When it comes to eating out, most of us tend not opt for fine dining establishments on a regular basis. Such places are great for special occasions but how often do those come around? Sometimes, we just want to relax with friends, sink a couple of beers and fill our stomachs with simple food without worrying about the cost or the calorie content.
Burgers have been a popular menu option since the 50’s when big name burger brands from the US started opening up on in our towns and cities. The popularity of burgers has increased tenfold in recent years and there’s no shortage of great burger bars, burger chains and burger vans tempting us with their meaty (or vegetarian) mounds of deliciousness.
If you’re in a city, chances are you’ll find a fantastic burger place on every corner. However, in the smaller towns it can be difficult to know where to go to get a good quality burger.
Skipton in North Yorkshire boasts loads of excellent pubs, restaurants and cafes. They have eateries which cater to all kinds of tastes, preferences and dietary requirements…but…where do Skipton people go when they fancy a burger? And more importantly… where do they go if they want alcohol with it?
Here’s our list of just 5 of the places in Skipton where you can get a great burger and wash it down with cold beer or two…
Calico Jack
This pirate-themed Tex Mex restaurant is great for getting together with friends and family. Calico Jack on Water Street serve some great Tex Mex options such as Burritos, Enchiladas and Fajitas. If you’re not a fan of spice, they also offer pizzas, salads, steaks, ribs and, of course, burgers!
There are ten varieties of burger to choose from at Calico Jack and each can be served as a beef patty, a chargrilled chicken breast or a grilled stack of tomato, mozzarella and olive. Prices start at £9.25 for the Calico Jack which is a classic plain burger. The most expensive item on the burger menu is the Jack Sparrow at £13.75 which is a double burger with cheddar, bacon, mushrooms and caramelised red onions.
They have Peroni, Carlsberg, Shed Head (an American Pale Ale) and Somersby Cider on tap as well as a selection of bottled lagers, wines and drinks. They also have an extensive cocktail menu at Calico Jack from which we would recommend the classic Margarita or their gin-based Raspberry Rose Collins.
Oakley’s
Oakley’s Grill and Pizzeria opened in 2008 and the current owners took over in 2016 after purchasing the business from the Oakley family. It’s housed in an old rag mill on Albert Street that is actually one of Skipton’s oldest buildings. Oakley’s have dining space on three different floors and each area is furnished with simple wooden tables and wooden flooring to complement the age of the building.
This place is super popular with locals and they have a steady stream of returning customers who are passionate about the home cooked food on offer. On the menu, you’ll find a selection of house mains as well as pizzas, pastas, salads and burgers.
There are 16 types of burger on the Oakley’s menu and you can order all kinds of extras with each one. prices start at £9.95 for the Classic Burger and go up to £11.50 for the Fiery Jack – with Pepperoni piccante, spicy chorizo, cheddar cheese, jalapenos and Cajun coated onion rings. All of their burgers are available with a beef patty, chargrilled chicken breast or crispy coated vegetable patties.
Behind the bar they’ve got a range of draft beers, bottled lagers and ciders, wines and spirits. Oakley’s also have a great cocktail menu so it’s worth having a look through that before you commit yourself to a straightforward pint.
Cock and Bottle
With its low ceilings and old wooden beams, it’s plain to see that the Cock and Bottle pub on Swadford Street has a long history. The building itself if thought to date back to the late 17th century and is on record to have operated as a ‘brewhouse’ since the mid 18th century.
The Cock and Bottle is a lovely little traditional pub with a real ‘local’ feel to it. They serve good old classic pub grub, alongside their popular cask ales. All the food here is homemade, served in generous portions and mouth wateringly delicious. On the menu you’ll find the usual classics like Fish & Chips, Bangers & Mash and Steak and Ale Pie as well as a lovely selection of sharing planks, sandwiches and light bites.
There are 6 types of burger on the Cock and Bottle menu and prices for these start at £11.95. Each is available with a beef patty, chicken breast or vegetarian burger and served in a toasted brioche bun with hand cut chips, salad, homemade coleslaw and crispy onion rings. The BBC (Brie, Bacon and Cranberry) is a particular favourite of ours!
Two Sisters
Two Sisters Bar & Kitchen on Mill Bridge has only been open a couple of years but the owners have built a great reputation for their simple menu of perfectly cooked food and their excellent selection of speciality beers and small batch gins. The customer service here is also top notch so it’s no surprise that many locals name this little gem as their favourite place to eat in Skipton. You won’t find a huge amount of choice on their menu but what you will find is a carefully thought out selection of dishes, made using excellent quality local produce and served with a smile.
If it’s a burger you’re after, then you’re in for a real treat. On their menu, you’ll find 4 four different types of burger and they’re all slightly different to the ones on offer at other local establishments. Their Spiced Lamb Burger with salad and homemade Harissa Mayonnaise is very popular and their vegetarian option is absolutely bursting with flavour. Priced at £12, the Bean Burger is topped with mozzarella and grilled peppers and served in toasted ciabatta with a spiced tomato dip and sweet potato fries. Nom nom…
The Narrow Boat
The Narrow Boat, near Skipton’s picturesque canal basin, has been serving great quality cask ales and home cooked grub since 1999. Immensely popular with beer lovers, this pub offers 8 real ales and a handpicked selection of wheat beers, fruit beers and fine boutique gins as well as the usual beverages you’d expect to find behind a bar.
Food wise, The Narrow Boat serves hearty comfort food which is made using local, seasonal produce. On the menu, there are traditional pub classics like Scampi & Chips as well as less traditional but equally as delicious dishes such as Chicken Schnitzel and Malaysian Aromatic Curry.
They serve 3 basic burgers ( classic beef, grilled chicken and portobello mushroom) which you can upgrade yourself by adding extra toppings such as bacon, beef chilli and guacamole. You can double up your burger for just £2.00 and for those of us who like to limit our carb intake, there’s the option to swap your bread bun for extra salad. Hurrah!
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