Filthy Cow, Manchester

by Lucy Moore | 12 March 2015

Filthy Cow is a new burger house in the centre of Manchester and we got to go last night to try it out. Recently opened, this eatery is everything you could want from a burger joint.

Filthy Cow Front

It's ideal for lunch time take out, evening meals or as a place to kick start your night on the town. With exposed vents, wooden floors, benches, cage partitions and graffiti, it oozes urban, city centre chic.

The atmosphere and staff are relaxed so there is an instant welcome when you arrive.

The design is some of the best I have seen for a business. Filthy meaning messy, get your hands in there grub- and cow- because they serve quality beef in a number of different ways. The menu is slight- but as the owner Jordan confirmed, she wanted to be too able to produce a simple menu without scrimping on the quality of the locally sourced beef.

With three burgers to choose from you can go plain Jane, with cheese or with cheese, bacon and salad. We opted for the latter- the cheekily named- Filthy Beast. With sides of slaw, fries and onion rings it was all wrapped up for us to dig into and mine was clearly marked without cheese which I had requested at the till point.

The beef was thick and cooked medium, however if your preference is well done- then all you need to do is ask. It was juicy and coated in heaps of salad. The fries and onion rings were well seasoned and the slaw had a satisfying homemade taste.

With lines of sauces on demand we had everything we needed to enjoy this dish to the maximum. For those who want to be different, there was a special of Pork and Chorizo and Halloumi Burger for the veggies out there too.

The eatery spans over three floors, the second had booths at each end of the room for customers who like a bit of privacy when they eat and drink out.

And the toilet was well worth a visit- with milk pails for sinks, corrugated metal toilet wall stalls and barn like doors, the theme was certainly consistent throughout the whole establishment.

The owner, Jordan, was delight to talk to and she confessed that her inspiration of the burger house came after she visited one in London and decided that Manchester needed to get in on the trend. She revealed that the designers used her personality to gauge what type of vibe and décor the place needed. The friendly and laid back atmosphere is testament to her approachability and keen eye for individuality in her market.

Ideally located among some of the high end shops in Manchester, and right by some of the most decadent hotels, this is a great place to stop off during a shopping trip or at the end of your day. If you are wound up from crowds and tired out from retail 'therapy', this will certainly cheer you up and chill you out. My husband has already committed himself to going back, the next time I drag him out shopping.

The staff Eliza and Alice were informative as there were no menus- just boards above the tills, so it encourages you to talk to and get to know the staff.

For dessert we shared a Lemon Cheesecake and I must insist that you buy one of these if you visit as it reminded me of the ones my mum used to make. I am just sad that I could only have a bite as I am lactose intolerant. Again the ice cream desserts were locally sourced and the staff raved about them- and with all the choice there is bound to be flavour that takes your fancy.

Filthy Cow attracted people from all walks of life while we were there- couples, groups of friends and a businessman- it really caters for everyone. The menu is not too expensive so you can justify a few drinks on top of your meal of which there is a locally brewed IPA, which my partner said, was just what he needed to wash down his meal.

They do take out too so if you can't find the time to stop in- then you can still enjoy their food. Forget Burger King, stand aside McDonalds- Filthy Cow is the only place to go in Manchester for your burgers from now on! And no- you don't have to be a filthy cow to dine there- but if you are- all the better!