Turns out you don’t need to fly across the pond to the USA get New York city quality buffalo wings and burgers, you can get them right here in Brighton.
In December 2017, under a new name but the same talented chef, Lost Boys Chicken was born. Situated in the centre of the bustling Preston Circus at The Joker Pub, Lost Boys has quickly established itself as the food mastermind of Brighton.
Why the name Lost Boys I hear you ask. It was born out of the film Hook (one of chef Tom’s favourites) with each of the quirky sauces based on characters.
With the kitchen open from midday-10pm, the New York style dining experience is far beyond the realms of your average pub food. In fact, it was recently voted second place in the BRAVO awards for the best pub grub in Brighton. Taste the wings for yourself and it’s not hard to see why.
The menu is not extensive, but has everything you would expect from the American style diner including wings, burgers, sandwiches, nuggets and five (yes five) different types of chips. Faced with the tough choice of what to order, I felt it only right to go for their most famous dish, which is, of course, the mouth-watering buffalo wings.
The basket of wings come in ten or fifteen pieces, served with celery and either blue cheese or ranch dressing and coated in a famous house buffalo sauce. Ten wings come at a reasonably priced £7.50 or get fifteen pieces for £10.
The range of sauces will get your taste buds tingling. Whether you’re a hot-sauce fanatic or prefer something plainer, every single one compliments the chicken wings perfectly. The house sauces and buffalo wings are all gluten free too.
The Wendy was my choice of homemade sauce, described as a calm classic buffalo. It was delicious but those with more daring tastebuds consider the thuddbutt, the rufio (not for the faint hearted) or shadow (described as extra extra extra hot!)
The burgers should not be overlooked, with a single for £7.50 and double for £9. Choices include the buffalo chicken sandwich, chicken shop sandwich, very veggie burger and very vegan burger. Very, very nice.
The halloumi fries (£4.50) are well worth a mention, bursting with flavour and cooked to perfection, they avoid the rubbery feel halloumi can have and takes cheesy fries to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Lost Boys Chicken really gives off the impression that the food has been well thought out, with lots more homemade sauces in the pipelines. The customer service was fabulous – even in busy spells. The team may be small but they definitely know how to cook up some magic.
The success of the pub grub shows no sign of slowing down, with expansion of Lost Boys Chicken set to hit The Joker Croydon in the coming months.
If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy some food and drink as the sun comes out in Brighton, head down to The Joker and see what all the fuss is about for yourself.
