Many of Barrow’s pubs, restaurants and take-aways have been working hard to meet our needs and we are pleased to offer here some reviews of the different places to go in Barrow for some bought-in food. Information provided is to the best of our ability at the time of going to print. Please check with individual outlets for their current availability.
Pubs and restaurants
Soar Bridge Inn
29 Bridge St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough LE12 8PN. Tel : 01509 412686
Collection times: Lunchtime delivery, Sunday lunches and limited evening delivery available. For details, go to the Soar Bridge Inn Facebook page
The Soar Bridge Inn offers a good variety of meat, vegetarian and vegan options and gluten-free. My daughter and I particularly loved their veggie/vegan Bangkok burger which was made from vegetables and beans rather than trying to be ‘meaty’ like a lot of other veggie/vegan alternatives. The beef lasagne was deliciously ‘tomatoe-y’ and they know how to make decent pastry for their yummy pies. Chips are also nice and crispy.
The Three Crowns
2 Cotes Rd, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough LE12 8JS. TEL: 01509 621177
Opening times: Friday and Saturday 9am -1pm for breakfast 3pm -8pm for street meals. Take away Sunday roasts.
The Three Crowns’ Street Food Van is open Friday and Saturday and includes breakfasts available from 9am. Sunday lunches are also offered. There’s always something of a fun picnic feel when you buy from a van and eat outside – or even if you rush home with the food. The breakfasts (or brunch) was well-cooked, tasty and hot. I haven’t, personally, had a Sunday lunch but I know several people who have – and keep going back for me, so they must be doing something right. We’re planning a take-away Sunday lunch soon!
The Blacksmith’s Arms
2-4 Church Lane, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough LE12 8PP TEL: 01509 413100
Check their website for up-to-date information of take-away or delivery availability.
Bengal Tandoori and Balti Restaurant
35A Bridge St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough LE12 8PN TEL: 01509 621000
Opening times: Sunday – Thursday 5.30pm – 10.30pm Friday & Saturday 5.30pm – 10pm
My husband and I have been using the Bengal Restaurant for their take-away curries for several years. We buy 4 chicken Jalfrezi curries and 4 mixed Korai plus two peshwari naan breads about every 6 – 8 weeks, eat one that evening and freeze the rest for Friday curry night.
We both find the quality reliably good: the portions are generous, the taste is exactly as we each like (mine spicey hot, my husband’s fruity and rich but not too hot) and the consistency just right. These curries are not over salty nor too oily. We are also pleased to be given complimentary poppadums, chutneys and mini bhajis. Service is quick, efficient and cheery.
Cafes
Freckles Gift and Coffee Shop
9 High St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough LE12 8PY TEL: 01509 767820
Opening times: Friday and Saturday 10am – 2pm
Available for take-away coffee, tea and cakes.
I love the local, good quality coffee that’s always served here – obviously not grown locally (!) but roasted in a Leicester company with fair trade credentials. Cakes are always scrumptious and whilst they may not actually be described as a ‘meal’, a little bit of what you fancy does you good!
Barrow of Treats (Homefield College)
22 High St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough LE12 8PY TEL: 01509 416561
Opening times: Monday – Friday 9am – 3pm
Much of the food is prepared and cooked on the premises – soups and bread rolls are particularly delicious. Their chocolate orange sponge cake may not always be available every day of the week for take away, but it’s worth asking for.
Take-aways
Pearl City
20 North St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough LE12 8QA. TEL 01509 621422
Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday 5pm – 11pm (open until 11.30pm on Saturday)
Having spent time living in Hong Kong, I am very fussy about my Chinese food. I wasn’t disappointed at Pearl City. The bean curd in garlic sauce was exactly how I like it – slightly crunchy outside but melting like a pillow in the middle – and not too strongly garlic-flavoured. The sweet and sour sauce was subtly flavoured as this kind of dish should be but still really delicious. As a family, we each chose a dish and then shared so I was also able to enjoy their mixed veg with cashew nuts and crunchy bamboo shoots with water chestnuts.
River Soar Fish Bar
59 North Street, Barrow LE 12 8PZ. TEL 01509 414004
Opening times: Tuesdays to Saturdays from 12pm to 2pm / 5pm to10pm. Sundays closed. Mondays 5pm to 10pm
The River Soar Fish Bar as well as selling fish, haddock and cod, and chips, sells mushy peas, curry sauce, battered sausages, pies, pasties, spring rolls, kebabs and burgers all reasonably priced. Portions of chips are generous, the staff friendly and the Hygiene Rating an excellent 5.
Istanbul BBQ Kitchen
28 High St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough LE12 8PY. TEL: 01509 416868
Opening times: 12.00 – 10pm seven days a week
Getting a take-away from the Istanbul BBQ Kitchen could not be easier, we had a menu at home, made our choice, telephoned it through to be collected the following day, although your order can be ready in twenty minutes if desired.
The menu has starters, mains and delicious baklava for dessert. We chose the Istanbul Special for two people, which consisted of skewer of Adana, lamb shish, chicken shish and chicken beyti, served with rice, a side salad and warm pitta bread with dips, all for the princely sum of £14, excellent value for money. They also provide a vegetarian option of a veggie skewer, falafel wrap or hellumi wrap.
I arrived the following day at the appointed time to find my order already for collection, so no hanging around, payment is by cash only.
The meal was very enjoyable and we will certainly be ordering again.
Lee’s Garden
33A High St, Barrow upon Soar, Loughborough LE12 8PY TEL: 01509 413835
Opening times: Monday & Wednesday-Sunday (closed Tuesday) 5pm – 11pm
The food was freshly cooked and ready for collection and when I got home and removed the lid from my mixed vegetable satay, a wonderful aromatic aroma arose and the gentle, spicy flavour didn’t disappoint. The stir-fried beef and ginger were finely shredded with well-balanced flavours and the mushroom chow mein equally delicious. We ordered spicy rice, and this came with generously added chicken, vegetables and prawns, but sadly, my husband is allergic to shellfish so was unable to enjoy it. It’s worth asking about the ingredients before ordering especially when the vegetarian selection includes dishes with oyster sauce. I’d like to suggest that the menu is changed to say ‘vegetable’ (not vegetarian) dishes and then highlight the ones which are vegetarian. For vegans – there’s choice, but don’t forget that satay often has honey in it.
The Burgerologist Van
Travelling van at INA’s Kitchen on Brook Lane. TEL: 07546136016
Opening times: every-other Tuesday (from Tuesday 30th March) 5.30pm – 8.30pm for pre-ordered food (see their Facebook page for menu of gourmet burgers and sides).
This small husband-and-wife team travels around the local villages. I put in my order a few days via WhatsApp and it was there waiting for me at the time I said I wanted it. The burgers, topped with tangy sauces, were delicious and filling. We will certainly order again and a big plus point is that the packaging is cardboard which can recycled or put into compost.
And, of course, the Co-op, the Barrow Express and shop at the garage sell sandwiches and salads; cakes and biscuits; and you may even find a Scotch Egg!
Review contributors: Gaynor Barton, Val Gillings, Karisa Krcmar, Judith Rodgers, Genevieve Silk