Perhaps it’s just the perfect winter warmer
I tried the new Mulligans and Bada Bing Guinness sandwich
Something big has happened in Manchester. It’s the David vs Goliath of the year. It’s bigger than Liam vs Noel and there’s more knockouts here than George Foreman vs Muhammad Ali.
In one corner, we have sandwich purveyors Bada Bing. Located in the Northern Quarter, they are known for their huge hoagie sandwiches, which are packed to the brim with flavour and ingredients and popular for those lunchtime visits where more is always considered to be better.
In the other corner, we have Mulligans. You won’t find a smoother pint of Guinness than what is served at this Deansgate pub – there’s a reason it sells around 13,000 pints of the stuff a week.
Many of you will be able to guess what I’m alluding to but, yes, the two Manchester titans have joined forces for a limited edition creation that is unlike anything you can get anywhere else. We’re talking Guinness-soaked braised beef, crispy potatoes, pickled cabbage, crispy onions, and greens all tucked between two thick slices of Italian-American style sub roll.
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Bada Bing’s Josh Urpi (L) and Sam Gormally (R), with Mulligans’ Pádraig Brady (C)
It’s something to behold. And, surprisingly, it takes like a really nice roast dinner. I guess it makes sense on paper; with all the ingredients, but I want something I was initial expecting.
In fact, it’s fair to say I had a few points of concern before I tucked into the sandwich. Firstly, and perhaps quite importantly, I would not class myself as a fan of Guinness. Secondly, roast potatoes in a sandwich just sounded like carb overdrive to me.
And, well, fair. There’s still a lot of carbs involved, but it’s so, so good. It’s comforting, it’s like a home cooked meal from my yesteryouth and it’s so filling.
The sandwich is packed full of flavour and ingredients
The Guinness also works. It’s not overwhelming, heavy or, it’s actually complimenting with its malty and creamy flavours. The braised beef short rib is cooked to perfection. Paired with the sweet pickled cabbage, it’s an absolute winner.
The crispy potatoes are actually also one of the many highlights. Adding a mix of consistencies and flavours, it adds a nostalgic kick that throws it all back to roast dinners at my Grandma’s house as a kid.
There’s also a really nice sustainable element to the sandwich. The Guinness used to braise the beef actually comes from the pub’s surplus from their weekly line cleaning that is considered far too good to waste but not perfect to go into a pint. Mulligans owner Pádraig Brady has described the sandwich as the result of ‘quality recognising quality’. Fair.
The sandwich features Guinness-soaked braised beef, crispy potatoes, pickled cabbage, crispy onions, and greens
Bada Bing, who returned to the city last year following a short hiatus, have worked with the team at Mulligans to utilise this using their sandwich expertise to make the Split The B sandwich. Whilst we’ve literally only just saw the reopening of the Christmas Markets, I’d suggest that this is already better than a big chunk of the stuff served there.
It’s one heck of a winter warmer, but It’s only available for a limited time, so you’ll need to go to their Northern Quarter spot soon if you want to give it a taste. It costs £13, but is certainly worth it!
Still not a huge fan of Guinness as a drink, but I certainly appreciate it as a flavour in food
I’d say it’s most certainly worth it, and I’m already eagerly anticipating the next battle of the titans from Manchester’s thriving and creative food and drink scene. Bring it on.
Split the B, the Mulligans x Bada Bing Guinness Sandwich, will be available exclusively at Bada Bing, 125 Oldham Street, Northern Quarter, M4 1LN.
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