Bread & Meat are described on their website as “An independent modern British eatery, specialising in gourmet sandwiches, poutine and our signature ‘bowls’ in the heart of historic Cambridge”

They also tell us that “Everything is cooked onsite from locally sourced ingredients, 100% British meats along with homemade mayo’s and sauces – all cooked from scratch“

This was sounding good already, a place that you just have to visit if you love good quality properly cooked meat shoved between two bits of bread, well within my wheelhouse of desires so it was a place that I wanted to try.

The day we chose to eat here was a very busy day in town and we waited in line outside for about 15 minutes before we could get in. The only spaces free were at a long communal table in the middle of a packed out dining space.

Did we care that we had to share? Did the people in the queue next to us care? Nope we all just wanted to get our hands on some of this tasty sounding Bread and Meat so we all crowded around the table, together yet not together 😎

THE MENU

Navigating our way through the menu was a tricky affair, not because it was complicated, but because I wanted to try everything. Porchetta, Honey Soy Chicken and Topside of British Beef were all vying for my attention and all sounded worthy contenders.

Meal wise you can get three different sized options here at Bread & Meat. Selecting between a sandwich or Ciabatta, a Poutine bowl (lets call that Canadian loaded fries topped with one of the aforementioned meats), or last but not least The Bowl which they describe as ‘our plated meal, with oven roasted vegetables, potato wedges, house slaw and dressed rocket‘

I just wanted a sandwich and we both wanted to share so we had one choice each, I went for the Roast Top side of British Beef and my dining companion went somewhat predictably for the Porchetta. It was a win win as really if left to our own devices we both would have chosen those same two fillings

I had briefly contemplated the Philly Cheese Steak but caution held me back as it always disappoints me. I have never found one as good as those I ate when I lived in the states and frankly have given up trying. I saw one later and it looked ok but was happy with what we ordered

Anyway as I often do I digress once more, distraction is too easy when left to my thoughts of food to be eaten and food I once ate especially with a keyboard in front of me. If this were a podcast I could happily let them all flood out into the air for your digestion but here with such constraint to tell the story I need to exercise more brevity.

TOPSIDE OF BRITISH BEEF

The first sandwich that we share was one filled with TOPSIDE OF BRITISH BEEF described on the menu as “rare roast British beef cooked overnight then chilled, balsamic and tomato dressing, rocket, homemade roast garlic aioli”

I have no word other then to say that it was fantastic! It is so rare to get beef served so perfectly pink and also so thickly sliced yet still juicy and tender. They certainly know what they are doing when they cook their meats here at Bread & Meat in Cambridge

CLOSE UP OF THE BEEF SANDWICH

I was totally in love with the Beef sandwich with it perfectly balanced mix of flavours between the tomato dressing and that garlic aioli. I kind of wish I hadn’t shared as I just wanted more and more. The fantastically Cooked pink beef was a joy and again most a most generous portion.

Just looking again at the picture of the pink juicy slices of beef has my mouth watering and my taste buds tingling. It was just the right amount of meat to bread ratio so that the filling is shines and is an equal partner with the bread.

I am definitely having one all to myself next time!

PORCHETTA SANDWICH

The PORCHETTA was described on the meu as “outdoor reared British pork middle, cooked overnight, traditionally herb rub, fresh Salsa Verde, crackling”

We watched one of the servers chopping up the pork and weighing it out on the counter top next to where we sat and we were very happy to see such generous mounds of meat going into each sandwich!

It really looked like a thing of beauty when it arrived at the table and I was looking forward to tucking in to my half of the sandwich

CLOSE UP OF THE PORCHETTA SANDWICH

The chewy baguette was filled generously with soft, tender, and juicy chopped pork. Loved the delicate flavours from the herb rub. I liked the crispy bit of crackling too even though these days I tend to suck it like a meaty piece of candy as my teeth struggle with the crunchy bits some times

I enjoyed the fresh Salsa Verde but perhaps for my personal taste there was a bit too much as it overpowered the flavour of the pork in some bites.

I wasn’t the only one who though that as the people next to us said the same thing. Having said that if you love Salsa Verde you would be in heaven here!

All in all it was a very good sandwich and I wouldn’t turn my nose up at another one I just might scrape a bit of the green stuff off next time 🧐🤣

POUTINE

The POUTINE could have come as a main dish topped with one of the house meats; porchetta, beef topside, honey soy chicken, or Philly steak but we had it as a side to share.

I was loving this simple bowl of chips, cheese curds and gravy. It was quite a big bowlful and probably more food than I needed. Having said that I scoffed as much as I could while still attempting to appear to be sharing fairly 😜

My only gripe was that all the gravy and a lot of the cheese had slipped to the bottom of the pot so it was a bit tricky to get a bit of everything with each bite. I like my poutine smothered in stuff all over the top! I suppose if I hadn’t shared I could have just scooped it all out in big forkfuls. I was perhaps being to polite as I ate 😎🧐

I really liked Bread & Meat, I loved the concept and the freshness of the food that they served. I will remember that tender juicy pink beef for ages and yearn after it whenever I think of Cambridge.

Sure they have some posh famous university here in the town but I would rather explore more of the meat from this menu that look around some old buildings.

I am a food tourist first and foremost and anyway I know my place which is sitting around a communal table with like minded people eating tasty food!

Bread & Meat is located at 4 Bene’t Street, Cambridge CB2 3QN not that far from the market place and some place called Kings College (if you have heard of it? 🤣)

You can check them out on their website as well as on their Facebook page, Instagram profile and Twitter feed (not that active)