Award winning V REV (short for vegan revolution) in Manchester has been a hit with vegans and adventurous non-vegans alike since relocating onto Edge Street last year. Offering gourmet junk food without the guilt, V REVs delivers an ‘Almost Famous’ style experience minus the meat – all plants no pain as they say.
The menu is a straightforward take on gourmet junk food, with burgers, hot dogs and loaded fries the order of the day. For those looking for a healthy vegan option, you’re probably best going elsewhere.☺
Burgers start from £6.50 with everything on the menu coming in under £10 – perfect for an impromptu meal out without breaking the bank. With a drink and extras, you’re looking at around £12-£15 per person.
At weekends you can expect to wait up to half an hour for a table. If you’re planning ahead it’s best to book in advance. Service was fast, maybe even too fast with our drinks arriving only seconds before the burgers arrived. Once we’d finished our meals I did feel a fair amount of pressure to give up the table to one of the groups waiting at the bar. This is not the kind of place I’d feel comfortable having drinks in after the meal, which is understandable considering how busy the places can get.
The beef burgers are produced using Seitan, a wheat protein used a lot in Asian cuisine. If you’ve ever had a mock duck or beef dish before it will have been made from seitan. The chicken, referred to as ‘chkn’, is also produced using seitan and is triple dipped in buttermilk, breaded and deep-fried. For those on a diet, I’d opt for a beef patty, although I’d be hard pressed to say anything served at V Revs could be classed as a healthy option. This is unapologetically bad for you, in a good way.
For my burger, I was recommended the ‘buffalo the vampire slayer’ (great to see the naming conventions at burger bars is alive and kicking in 2017). The fried ‘chicken’ is served with a slice of vegan bacon, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing and salad with a hearty portion of fries. Whilst I’m unable to comment on how close is it to the real thing (I’ve been vegetarian for over 25 years now) I can say it a real treat, very moreish with the buffalo sauce adding a kick without overpowering the taste of the burger. The ‘bacon’, also worked well and tasted far better than the Quorn alternative.
It’s worth pointing out that the burger could be eaten as a burger without resorting to cutlery, a real pet peeve of mine. Overstacked cholesterol monstrosities do not make a great burger. Period.
My partner opted for the ‘satay away’, a great choice for those who love peanut butter. The same chicken burger as the one above, covered in peanut butter and sriracha mayo. A real indulgence, she loved it. A couldn’t help but steal a bite.
We also tried the ‘mac and cheese’, consisting of rice macaroni and vegan cheese. Whilst vegan cheese has its detractors, it tasted far bar than expected and was not a million miles away from the real deal. I would order again.
There is a full craft beer and cocktail menu at v revs with the house lager only £3.50 – great value compared to some of the extortionate prices charged in other Northern Quarter bars. I went with the Long Island Iced Tea, again fab value at £6.50 (could have been a bit boozier though).
For those looking an authentic ‘dirty burger’ experience without the guilt, V REVS is a great shout. Skip the queues by booking in advance – you will not be disappointed.
V REV Manchester – 20-26 Edge Street Northern Quarter Manchester M4 1HN – Open Tuesday to Sunday – Food served until 9pm.
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