The Most Popular Pub Food, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the pub food you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:46
Imagine stepping into a cozy pub, the aroma of savory dishes wafting through the air, and the indecision of what to order. With a myriad of options that all seem equally tempting, making a choice can often be overwhelming. That's where the value of a ranking system comes into play, helping patrons decide which dish might suit their taste best based on popular opinion.
By participating in the voting process, each person contributes to a dynamic, real-time evaluation of pub offerings, ensuring the rankings reflect the most current preferences of a diverse crowd. This interactive approach not only enhances customer satisfaction but also stimulates a friendly community ambiance as individuals champion their favorite meals. Get ready to cast your vote and maybe find your new favorite pub dish!
What Is the Most Popular Pub Food?
-
146votes
Andrew Dunn · CC BY-SA 2.0Fish and chips
John LeesThis classic dish, consisting of battered fish and deep-fried chips, is the quintessential pub food in the UK. It is a staple on most pub menus and is enjoyed with a pint of beer.Fish and chips is a popular British meal consisting of battered and deep-fried fish (usually cod or haddock) served with thick-cut potato chips. It is typically accompanied by tartar sauce, mushy peas, and a sprinkle of salt and vinegar. The dish is known for its crispy and golden exterior, tender flaky fish inside, and soft melt-in-your-mouth chips.- Origin: United Kingdom
- Main ingredients: Fish (cod or haddock), potato, batter
- Serving temperature: Hot
- Accompaniments: Tartar sauce, mushy peas
- Texture: Crispy, tender, soft
Fish and chips in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular street food in the UK
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular food in Liverpool
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular lunch in Australia
-
228votesBurgers are another popular pub food, offering a meaty and satisfying option for hungry patrons. They are often served with fries and a range of toppings, such as cheese, bacon, and caramelized onions.Burgers are a popular type of sandwich made with a ground meat patty, typically beef, that is cooked and placed between two slices of bread or a bun. The patty is often seasoned with various spices and grilled, fried, or charbroiled to perfection. Burgers are known for their versatility, as they can be customized with a wide variety of toppings, condiments, and cheeses, allowing for endless flavor combinations.
- Popular Varieties: Cheeseburger, Hamburger, Bacon Burger, Veggie Burger, Turkey Burger, Chicken Burger, etc.
- Size: Burgers can vary in size, from small sliders to larger, more substantial patties.
- Cooking Style: Grilled, fried, or charbroiled.
- Bread/Bun: Typically served on a sesame seed bun, but other bread options like ciabatta or brioche are also popular.
- Toppings: Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, bacon, cheese, and many more.
-
326votesChicken wings are a popular pub food that are typically seasoned with a spicy rub or sauce. They are often served with a side of blue cheese dressing or ranch.Chicken wings in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most delicious part of a chicken
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular cut of chicken
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular fried food in America
-
422votesNachos are a crowd-pleaser at any pub, offering a crunchy and cheesy snack that is perfect for sharing. They are typically topped with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.Nachos are a popular appetizer in America consisting of tortilla chips topped with melted cheese and various toppings. This dish is typically served as an appetizer or snack in restaurants, bars, and sports venues.
- Origin: Mexico, but popularized in America
- Main ingredient: Tortilla chips
- Cheese: Usually melted cheddar or nacho cheese
- Toppings: Commonly include salsa, guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos, and black olives
- Variations: Some variations include adding cooked meat like ground beef or shredded chicken
-
512votesMany pubs now offer pizzas on their menus, providing a tasty alternative to traditional pub fare. Pizza toppings can range from classic pepperoni to more adventurous options like goat cheese and arugula.Pizza is a popular Italian dish that has become a staple in American cuisine. It typically consists of a round, flat dough base topped with various ingredients and baked in an oven. The toppings often include tomato sauce, cheese, and a variety of meats, vegetables, and herbs. The combination of these flavors creates a savory and satisfying meal enjoyed by people of all ages.
- Dough: A flattened round dough made from flour, water, yeast, salt, and sometimes olive oil.
- Toppings: A variety of ingredients can be used, including tomato sauce, cheese (often mozzarella), meats (such as pepperoni, sausage, or ham), vegetables (like mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers), and herbs (such as basil or oregano).
- Baking: Typically baked in a hot oven, reaching temperatures around 475°F (245°C), for a short period of time (usually 10-15 minutes).
- Styles: There are various regional styles of pizza in America, with New York-style and Chicago-style being among the most famous. Each style has its own unique characteristics, such as the thickness of the crust, the proportion of toppings, and the cooking method.
- Versatility: Pizza can be customized to suit individual preferences, allowing for countless topping combinations and variations. This versatility contributes to its popularity and widespread appeal.
-
617votesOnion rings are a popular side dish at pubs, providing a crispy and flavorful option to pair with a burger or sandwich. They are typically made by coating sliced onions in batter and deep-frying them.Onion rings are a popular and delicious snack or side dish made by coating sliced onions in batter and then frying them until crispy and golden brown. They are known for their crunchy exterior and tender, flavorful onion interior.
- Cooking method: Air-fried
- Texture: Crispy exterior, tender interior
- Flavor: Savory and slightly sweet
- Preparation time: 10-15 minutes
- Cooking time: 10-15 minutes
Onion rings in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular fried food in America
-
711votesLoaded fries are a decadent pub food that typically feature toppings like cheese, bacon, and sour cream. They are a great option for sharing with friends while enjoying a pint of beer.Loaded fries are a delicious and indulgent pub food that consist of a generous serving of French fries topped with various savory ingredients. The combination of crispy fries and flavorful toppings creates a mouthwatering and satisfying dish.
- Size: Generous serving size
- Base: French fries
- Toppings: Savory ingredients such as melted cheese, bacon bits, spring onions, sour cream, jalapenos, and more
- Variations: Loaded fries can be customized with a variety of toppings to suit individual preferences
- Flavor: Combination of different tastes, including salty, cheesy, and sometimes spicy
-
88votes
Qwerty Binary · CC BY-SA 3.0Bangers and mash is a classic British dish that features sausages and mashed potatoes. It is a hearty and filling option that is perfect for a cold winter night.Bangers and mash is a traditional and popular dinner dish in England. It consists of sausages (bangers) served with mashed potatoes (mash), typically accompanied by onion gravy. The dish is known for its simplicity and hearty flavors, making it a comforting and satisfying meal.- Main Ingredients: Pork sausages, mashed potatoes, onion gravy
- Sausages: Traditionally made with Cumberland sausages or pork sausages with herbs and spices
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy and smooth mashed potatoes, often seasoned with butter and milk
- Onion Gravy: A rich and savory gravy made from caramelized onions, beef stock, and sometimes flavored with Worcestershire sauce
- Accompaniments: Commonly served with peas or green vegetables like cabbage and carrots
-
94votesShepherd's pie is another classic British dish that is often found on pub menus. It consists of a layer of ground meat (usually lamb) topped with mashed potatoes and baked until golden brown.Shepherd's pie is a classic English dish consisting of a savory meat filling topped with a layer of mashed potatoes, baked until golden and crispy. It is a comforting and hearty meal that originated in the late 18th century.
- Meat filling: Traditionally made with minced or diced lamb as the main protein, though variations with other meats like beef or turkey can also be found.
- Vegetables: Commonly includes diced onions, carrots, and peas, which are sautéed and mixed with the meat.
- Gravy: The meat and vegetables are usually coated in a rich, flavorful gravy made from stock or broth, thickened with flour or cornstarch.
- Mashed potato topping: A generous layer of creamy mashed potatoes is spread on top of the meat and gravy mixture, which creates a golden crust when baked.
- Baking: The assembled pie is baked in the oven until the mashed potato topping is nicely browned and the filling is bubbling.
Shepherd's pie in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular lamb dish
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular potato dish
-
105votes
Natus · CC BY-SA 3.0Scotch eggs are a unique pub food that feature a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat and breadcrumbs. They are typically served sliced in half with a side of mustard or chutney.Scotch eggs are a traditional British pub food consisting of a hard-boiled egg wrapped in sausage meat, coated with breadcrumbs, and deep-fried until crispy. The result is a delicious and hearty snack that is commonly enjoyed with a pint of beer.- Main ingredients: Hard-boiled eggs, sausage meat, breadcrumbs
- Preparation method: Egg is encased in seasoned sausage meat, rolled in breadcrumbs, and deep-fried
- Texture: Crispy on the outside, with a tender egg and sausage center
- Serving temperature: Usually served warm or at room temperature
- Accompaniments: Often served with mustard, ketchup, or mayonnaise dip
Missing your favorite pub food?
Graphs
Discussion
Ranking factors for popular pub food
-
Taste and flavorThe dish should be delicious and tasty, making it enjoyable for the customer and encouraging repeat orders.
-
Ease of preparation and servicePopular pub food should be straightforward to prepare and serve for the staff, as many pubs have limited kitchen space and equipment.
-
Appeal to a broad range of customersThe dish should be popular among a wide range of demographics, including different age groups, genders, and dietary preferences.
-
AffordabilityPub food should be reasonably priced, as customers generally expect to pay less for casual dining options.
-
Portability and shareabilityDishes that can be easily shared among friends, or eaten by one person without a lot of fuss, are usually popular in a pub setting.
-
Pairs well with drinksMost popular pub foods complement the beverages being served, especially beer. The dish should not overpower the taste of the drink or clash with the flavors.
-
Familiarity and comfort factorPopular pub foods often provide a sense of familiarity and comfort, connecting to people's memories or cultural associations.
-
CustomizationOffering a dish with various customizable options (such as toppings or sauces) can increase its popularity, by making it more appealing to individual tastes and preferences.
-
PresentationAlthough pub food may be casual, presentation still matters. The dish should look appetizing and visually appealing.
-
Nutritional balance and varietyConsidering the dietary preferences and needs of customers is important. Offering dishes with a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and vegetables can attract a diverse range of customers.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular pub food. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or pub food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2358 views
- 176 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each pub food once every 24 hours. The rank of each pub food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular pub food
When it comes to pub food, there are some classic dishes that immediately come to mind. From fish and chips to bangers and mash, pubs are known for serving up hearty, filling meals that pair perfectly with a cold pint of beer. But what is the most popular pub food among diners?
According to StrawPoll data, the top three most popular pub foods are fish and chips, burgers, and wings. These dishes are loved by pub-goers all over the world for their delicious flavor and satisfying portions.
Fish and chips, a classic British dish, consists of battered and fried fish served with thick-cut chips (fries). It's a staple on pub menus and is often enjoyed with a side of tartar sauce and mushy peas.
Burgers, on the other hand, are a pub favorite in the United States. These juicy, meaty sandwiches are often topped with cheese, bacon, and other toppings, making them a customizable and delicious option for diners.
Finally, wings are a popular choice for those who love a bit of spice. These crispy, saucy chicken wings are often served with a side of blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
While these three dishes are the most popular pub foods, there are plenty of other delicious options to choose from. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty steak and ale pie or a plate of loaded nachos, you're sure to find something tasty on the menu at your local pub.
Explore other rankings
Check out some of the other recommended rankings on StrawPoll and make your voice heard.
