When you get asked if you would like to go out for dinner, how can you say no to Hubbox Cardiff? The brand-new restaurant had to delay its opening due to local lockdown, but I got there eventually. So, read on for my Hubbox review.
Ad | There comes a point in your life, especially after being stuck at home for most of 2020, that you get excited about having dinner out. It was hard to play it cool and hide my enthusiasm when I was invited to the launch of the brand new Hubbox in Cardiff Bay.
The general vibe of Hubbox is a little bit of Cornwall, matched with decent burgers, mac and cheese, and dirty fries alongside west country beers and ciders and an impressive cocktail menu. Hubbox even has different flavoured lemonades and coolers, which can be pimped with alcohol.
Finally, the service was excellent. Moreover, I had two members of staff ask me if there were any allergens. There are no nuts in any of the dishes, apart from a salted peanut brownie on the dessert menu. They also can make any of the burgers gluten-free.
So, what did we eat? Hubbox food
Mike went for the Big Kahuna, which is two burgers, BBQ pulled pork (this was incredible, it tasted like this had been done on a real BBQ), Swiss cheese, BBQ sauce, mayonnaise, lettuce and giant onion rings.
However, the burgers don’t automatically come with chips, you do need to add these on. He added the Hubbox dirty fries; hand-cut fries, which are tossed in Cornish sea salt and rosemary, topped with Hub Sauce (Hubbox’s own burger sauce), white onions and jalapenos.
As well as a side of Chicken Strips, which are coated in a buttermilk batter before being fried. They are served with your choice of sauce; BBQ, Korean BBQ, hot sauce, roasted garlic mayo, Hub hot sauce, Hubbox Hub sauce, jalapeno may, blue cheese may. There are even a vegan Hub sauce and vegan mayo.
So, I had a Kali Chick burger; grilled chicken breast, chorizo jam, guacamole, charred pepper, chipotle mayonnaise and rocket. Even just typing the ingredients out made my mouth water! I added sweet potato fries, which again are tossed in Cornish sea salt and rosemary, and a side of onion rings.
Mike was incredibly impressed with the onion rings, and he made a good point. Usually, when you slice or bite into an onion ring, the onion comes out, leaving behind a battered shell. These were crispy but remained intact when cutting into it.
It didn’t end there… Hubbox dessert menu
The portion sizes are significant, but we made sure there was room for pudding. The waitress listed the dessert menu to us, and she only got the first bit of the sentence, “Berry strudel…” when Mike interrupted saying he’d have that – with a massive gleam in his eyes. A berry strudel cheesecake – it was like Christmas had come early. These are his two favourite desserts!
However, as I’m intolerant to nuts, the salted peanut brownie was off the menu for me. But, the third option was right up my street. It’s called Crack Pie. A cookie dough base with a caramel centre and served with a massive blob of pure clotted cream. It has its name for a reason, it is addictive!
There is also a massive range of Hubbox milkshakes. With whole milk, your choice of flavour and topped with whipped cream. There is the traditional banana, strawberry, chocolate and vanilla alongside salted caramel and an Oreo cookie one.
(I used to work here in the early 00’s when it was a “food bar” called Turquoise)
I will definitely be going back to Hubbox
Cardiff Bay is a challenging location for a restaurant. During the cold winter months, it is a tranquil location. The office workers are around during the weekday, but usually, opt for a quick grab and go from the supermarket. Hopefully, they will consider having a Hubbox lunch. The summer months are always busy, and when the Millennium Centre has shows running again, it will keep the restaurant in demand.
In conclusion, the food is incredible! It was one of the best burgers I’ve had in a very long time, the flavours and textures are spot on. The portions are very generous, and great value for money. I also love the fact that they use local ingredients and suppliers (some Welsh, but mostly west country). Finally, there’s even clotted cream in the burger buns! Yum, yum!
In addition, I can’t wait to go to Hubbox for breakfast. The vegan breakfast has my name on it, with fresh avocado with chilli flakes and Cornish sea salt, mushroom, tomato, baked beans, falafel, hash brown, hummus, spinach and toasted sourdough. I’m drooling just reading the ingredients!
Hubbox Reservations
If you want to visit Hubbox, book a table online or call them on 02920 462655.
Check them out on social media:
Some of the most asked questions about Hubbox
Is Hubbox a chain?
Yes, but it is a local success story. The first restaurant was opened in St Ives in 2003 – which I realised Mike and I have been to about 6 years ago. The restaurants have snaked their way up the South West and are now across the bridge into Wales.
The owner Richard Boon, said in an interview with Cornwall Live in 2018, “We’re aware that as we grow the number of Hubbox sites, we need to ensure the integrity of the brand and maintain the quality of food and delivery is as it grows. Our food is integral to what we do, we will never mess with the core product, our buns, meat, and chips as they are what we’re known for and therefore key to our continued success.”
Is Hubbox dog friendly?
Yes, it is. Dog-friendly restaurants are few and far between in Cardiff. Our go-to staycation locations are Devon and Cornwall, and you can take your pet with you everywhere there. So, I love that this tradition has been brought to Hubbox in Wales. I bet Ivan The Irresistible will love it!
Hubbox burger calories
If you are on a strict diet, Hubbox might not be for you. The burgers have to be easily 900 calories plus, depending on which one you go for. Plus, the chips and all the other deep-fried food. I follow Slimming World so I just decided to have the night off.
Hubbox drink menu
Hubbox have their own lager and IPA, which they made with Harbour Brewery in Cornwall. In Cardiff, they have even teamed up with Tiny Rebel and have them as their guest lagers. I was pleased that I can now drink Rattler and Sheppey’s cider when out, this side of the bridge. The Hubbox cocktails also look delicious. Alongside the coolers and lemonades that you can add booze too, there are more traditional cocktails such as Sex on the Beach, Woo Woo, Aperol Spritz and Espresso Martinis.
Is there a Hubbox Xmas menu?
So, the Christmas menu looks incredible. If turkey and all the trimmings is not your thing, then a festive burger will be right up your street. They are doing 3-courses for £24.95.
Is Hubbox on Deliveroo?
If you are still nervous about venturing out, you can get Hubbox delivered to you via the Dilveroo app. Hubbox click and collect is also available.
Other Hubbox locations
You can visit Hubbox in Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Pentewan (St Austell), Plymouth, Portsmouth, St Ives, Taunton and Truro.
coffee and the most sort after items of 2020, hand sanitiser and a face mask.
Disclaimer: I was invited along on the VIP launch night, and had no obligations to write about my experience. My feedback is my honest, unbiased review. I would go back here to eat in a heartbeat. A massive round of applause goes to the team at River and Bear for the event organisation and PR.
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