8 Chefs Share Their Go-To High-Street Food Order
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Ben Marks
Perilla & Morchella
"I’m a complete sucker for Pizza Express. I get an American on the classic base, a garlic mozzarella bread and an unhealthy amount of garlic butter on the side. Dipping those crusts into the garlic butter is better than any dish I could ever make.”
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Shilpa Dandekar
Pravaas
“My family and I love Nando’s. The food is absolutely delicious, plus I love that I can opt for a carb-free meal when I feel like it. My go-to order is half a grilled chicken with coleslaw, with a glass of rosé or red wine, depending on the season. With my husband Faheem, we run two restaurants, including Pravaas in South Kensington, so our lives are quite hectic. We like to sneak away for relaxed early lunches at Nando’s when the kids are at school and we have some rare free time.”
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Alex Dilling
Hotel Café Royal
“My go-to order at Shake Shack is always The Shack Stack with crinkle fries dipped in American mustard, and a cold Diet Coke on the side. It’s a rare indulgence I treat myself to just a few times a year. In the late afternoon, before dinner service starts, I’ll escape to the Shake Shack near Leicester Square, just a few minutes from the restaurant, when I’m craving that perfect fix of American-style food.”
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Connor Gadd
Trullo
“My go-to is always Nando’s as my kids love it and I don’t feel too guilty afterwards. I always order half a chicken with chips. I get the lemon and herb sauce and pour over the hottest chilli sauce they do. Failing that, a Five Guys always hits the spot…”
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Ruby Jary
Medlock Canteen
“Five Guys is my guilty pleasure. It’s consistent and has everything I need when I’m craving something carb-y, fried, sweet and salty. I always order a little bacon cheeseburger with pickles, lettuce, fried onions, white onions, ketchup, mustard and mayo. Then I’ll have Cajun fries with mayo on the side, plus a large peanut butter, chocolate and vanilla shake. Hold the judgement – this meal is best enjoyed as the first meal on a hangover. And working in hospitality, that’s usually around 4pm.”
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Rae Arends
Pophams Restaurant
“My go-to order from a high-street chain is a Five Guys burger. I’m not a huge fan of ketchup or mayo, so I love that you can build the burger yourself and choose the sauce. My order is a bacon cheeseburger with fresh tomato, grilled onions, roasted peppers and hot sauce. The chip portions are huge and bottomless. A Diet Coke one the side is a must, too.”
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Gustavo Giallonardo
Oriole
“One of my favourite chains is a Vietnamese restaurant called Keu, which has various outposts dotted around London. I always order the Keu Original – a crispy banh mi sandwich made with a crusty baguette and filled with mortadella sausage, homemade chicken liver pate, spiced pork belly, spicy mayo and ham terrine. It’s served with daikon, coriander, cucumber, spring onions and fresh chilli. Delicious and filling.”
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Matt Harris
Ploussard
"Yard Sale Pizza is my go-to takeaway after service. I always ask for it to be cooked slightly longer 'cos it tastes better. Recently, I’ve been ordering the 18-inch Holy Pepperoni with a blood orange San Pellegrino on the side. Then, when I get home, I take my microplane and grate over extra pecorino cheese for that chef's kiss."
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