West Coast Rock Café

I've been occasionally popping into the West Coast Rock Café on trips to Blackpool for years, to the degree that I could've sworn I'd already reviewed it, but on checking my archived posts, I apparantly haven't, which is something I will remedy right now!

Everybody who knows Blackpool knows of West Coast Rock, and anyone who is a visitor and who doesn't, should make the effort to find out, because it's well worth hunting out its blink-and-you'll-miss-it tiny front entrance, which comprises of nothing but a door with a staircase leading upwards, and some bright yellow signage. It's near the tower.

It bills itself as a family restaurant and music venue, but it is what in the USA would be known as a Dive Bar. That's not an insult in any way, it's their term for a place that is rough around the edges, casual, with a focus on good casual food and drinks, and usually live music. West Coast Rock Cafe is big on all of these, and their style inside is dark red walls and ceilings, painted wall art and illustrations, even illustrations on the tables, and old furniture. It works. It works really well for what they're doing.

The service is casual and friendly, staff treat everyone like regulars and smiles are always in view. The menu is burgers, steaks, sandwiches, classic American favourites, and some Mexican options. All the burgers are named with tongue in cheek and a sense of humour, ie a plain hamburger is called "The Boring Burger", and the rest of the menu shares the same fun and casual style, as well as the same style illustrations from around the restaurant too.

This time round we ordered a Double Decker Club Sandwich from the West Coast Favourites section, and a Hill Street Blues Burger. Waiting for your food here is perfectly pleasant too, because as well as the excellent music videos playing and music generally, the restaurant is on the first floor with wrap-around windows, making it great for people-watching over the pedestrianised streets.

The food arrived pleasantly presented. The burger was juicy, with oozy blue cheese topping caramelised onions and mushrooms, which really kicked the flavour up a few notches. The club sandwich was surprisingly filling, and with the addition of cucumber in the mix, it really gave the sandwich a bit of bite and pop. The fries on both meals were lovely and crisp and hot. One thing we noticed was that the burger came with a sauce, and we couldn't quite place what it was, was it a chilli mayo or a paprika mayo? We asked the server who told us that it was the chef's so-called 'dirty sauce', made with ingredients such as mayo, Cajun spices, and lime juice. Thing is, it's a really nice sauce, and not even mentioned on the menu, when it deserves to be, because it was something created not bought. 

The food was excellent as always, and once again even though we didn't get a starter, we had no room for dessert. I swear one day I'll be able to manage a dessert at West Coast Rock Cafe... in fact some day I might go JUST for dessert... maybe to try The Fudgezilla, but I don't know if I could bring myself to go to Blackpool and to West Coast, and NOT have their delicious food!

Give it a try, it's fun, it's casual, and it's good quality. It won't break the bank either.

West Coast Rock Café
5-7 Abingdon Street
Blackpool
FY1 1DG
01253 751283
http://www.westcoastrock.co.uk