The Smoking Grill at the Hare and Hounds really has set a new standard of quality and taste that must be tried! Having heard about the Hare and Hounds in Ketley reopening as a smoking grill house, I literally couldn’t wait to try the menu, and its certainly a menu that has been missing in Telford for a while.
My partner Mike and I decided to book a table on a Tuesday evening and see if it was as good as the pictures looked. The restaurant atmosphere was really lovely, candle lit with other diners enjoying their evening. The staff were very friendly and greeted us with a big smile, showed us to our table and took our drinks order as we excitedly took a look at the menu.
There was a really good range of starters to choose from, everything from cheesy jalapeno poppers, low and slow baby ribs to chicken wings and mini mac and brisket. I was very keen to ask Mike if he would share two with me, the brisket bites in The Hare BBQ sauce and deep-fried panko halloumi, thankfully he agreed, and we made the right choice! The brisket was so meaty and soft with the most deliciously tasty sauce and the panko halloumi was incredible; the salty halloumi in the light and crispy breadcrumbs was just perfect especially with its accompanying sweet chilli sauce. Both presented fantastically and generous portion sizes.
Setting us up nicely for our mains which needed more decision making on my behalf. There’s a superb choice of burgers, ‘dogs’, a meaty grill section and a range of mains that included a rack of ribs, mac and cheese, grilled salmon and king prawns to Enville beer battered fish and chips. Mike had already been researching The Smoking Grill on Instagram and had made his choice prior to arrival - the double beefy burger, whilst I eventually opted for half rack of ribs and chicken, although I’m definitely coming back for the Porterhouse steak.
I could see the waitress walking towards us with our mains and my jaw dropped at the size of Mike’s burger, just WOW! A chunky, mouth-watering beef burger was topped with BBQ beef brisket, two layers of bacon and cheese and topped with a whole gherkin all packed in a toasted bun, it was just a tower of joy. My large half rack of ribs was smothered in a rich BBQ sauce and laid on top of a whole chargrilled chicken breast. Both mains were accompanied with fries and a freshly made ‘slaw.
As we started tucking in there was lots of noises of satisfaction with Mike claiming the burger was unbelievable, the toasted bun was delicious, the very meaty burger was the best he had tasted and the juicy BBQ beef brisket, cheese and bacon all being the perfect toppings. I didn’t in a million years think he would eat it all, but apart from the wooden stick holding it all together the burger was demolished and thoroughly enjoyed.
Both my chicken and ribs were tender and succulent, the ribs were large and tasty, and the BBQ sauce was lush, a proper plate full of perfectly cooked meat. We both commented on the fries being lovely and crisp and the homemade ‘slaw was just delish. Unlike Mike I was unable to finish all of mine as the portions really are huge, perfect for large appetites.
However, even with full bellies I wasn’t missing out on trying a dessert and opted for the key lime pie whilst Mike chose the New York cheesecake with ice-cream. Again, presented like a work of art they were simply fantastic. The key lime pie was like a smooth citrus cheesecake, light and refreshing the perfect end to my meal. Mike had to admit defeat two thirds into his cheesecake but loved every mouthful.
Everything we had eaten tasted fresh and full of flavour and clearly cooked by someone who knows what they are doing. The Smoking Grill really is a stunning restaurant bringing new flavours and ideas to diners of Telford. Well done Chef Farr and team, can’t wait to come back and try more dishes.
STEAK NIGHT
Every Tuesday, 2 steak and all the trimming for £30 (choice of 10oz ribeye, rump or sirloin) Vegetarian option also available.
LUNCH TIME MENU
12noon – 2pm daily
A choice of salads, toasted sandwiches, mains and jackets.
Mid-Week specials also available.
Join them on Facebook: Smoking Grill hare and Hounds
and Instagram: _smoking_grill
Smoking Grill
Hare & Hounds
Holyhead Road
Ketley
Telford
TF2 6DJ
Tel: 01952 414116