The Pitstop on the A96 has been a unique attraction for foodies from all over for more than two decades.
What is The Pitstop, you may be asking?
Well, it is a roadside cafe that offers people the opportunity to tuck into wholesome, freshly-made, and affordable dishes inside a stationary bus.
Yes, you read correctly.
My colleague Julia Bryce and I visited The Pitstop in January after hearing word that its owner, Roy Minty, was bidding farewell to the business after 24 years and selling it on to new owners.
We had also heard it served the best breakfast in the north-east.
Since then, two sets of owners have taken the reins. The latest is the McMillan family, who have already made quite the impact on the unique eatery by revamping its menu (slightly) and giving it a new tartan exterior.
Both, we’re absolutely loving.
All of the dishes available at The Pitstop cost £7 and under, so it’s perfect for those on any budget.
The order:
The results
So what did we make of The Pitstop and its offering during our long-awaited second visit?
Salt and pepper chicken with chips and curry sauce
Julia and I started out on a high with this dish.
We couldn’t even begin to count how many chunks of juicy chicken there were on the plate – and considering its price, the value for money is exceptional.
The meat had a thick and crispy batter around it, which boasted hints of curry throughout and a punchy salty flavour.
Also in amongst the mix was an assortment of vegetables – including red and green peppers – providing a slight kick and a zingy freshness.
The chips were a solid accompaniment, while the curry sauce had more of a korma feel to it rather than your traditional Chinese-style curry sauce that’s often served with salt and pepper chicken.
Presentation
Karla: 4/5
Julia: 4/5
Taste
Karla: 4/5
Julia: 4.5/5
Stovies with beetroot and oatcakes
If you know me, then you’ll know I’m a huge fan of stovies. And although many may disagree, they’re challenging to perfect.
Far too often have I tucked into watery stovies or, at the other end of the spectrum – and arguably the worst of the two – dry stovies. But The Pitstop’s got the thumbs up from us both.
They were a lovely thick consistency and there were more than enough cubes of beef and potato on the go. The beef held itself nicely too and wasn’t falling/flaking apart.
Julia complimented both the cold beetroot and oatcakes, as well. It sure is a traditional trio that marries incredibly well together.
Presentation
Karla: 3.5/5
Julia: 3/5
Taste
Karla: 4/5
Julia: 3.5/5
Macaroni and cheese
The macaroni and cheese at The Pitstop had a rather nostalgic feel to it.
It was creamy and there were no artificial flavours – all making for a superb macaroni dish.
The heavy coating of cheddar cheese across the top of the perfectly cooked pasta was a fantastic addition and elevated it further.
Julia and I also agreed the portion was great. It was smaller than the other dishes, but far more filling.
Presentation
Karla: 3/5
Julia: 3.5/5
Taste
Karla: 4/5
Julia: 3.5/5
Baked potato with cheese and beans
Self-confessed baked potato lover Julia was looking forward to this one – and she certainly wasn’t let down.
I rarely tuck into them, on the other hand, but knew what to expect.
Like the pasta, our baked potato had been cooked to perfection. The butter was apparent on the palate, too, which made the whole taste experience even better.
Cheese and beans were also in the mix. We all know you can’t go wrong with this combination, so it was a winner.
But the star of the show had to be that crispy potato skin. It was sweet, salty, and had a nice subtle chew to it.
Presentation
Karla: 3.5/5
Julia: 4/5
Taste
Karla: 4/5
Julia: 4/5
Although we would recommend you try them all, the dish that came out on top for us at The Pitstop was the salt and pepper chicken with chips and curry sauce, which wracked up a score of 16.5/20.
Can you think of any local venues or dishes you would like the Food and Drink team to to try?
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