Tipsy Chef (Bar & Restaurant) — Restaurant in Preston

I’ve been eager to try Tipsy Chef street food in the market hall for a while, but with the restricted opening hours I’ve just not had the chance. So was very pleased to see them opening a second venue outside of the market with normal operating hours.

Last night me and a friend was quick to get a booking in for the newly opened restaurant and upon arriving it wasn’t very busy. We sat downstairs so not sure what upstairs was like. But had an okay vibe. The place was well themed and a cool set up. Got seated and we was just left to it. Not very welcoming or talkative. Which I found a bit odd for a new place. No one told us to order from the bar, so after sitting there like lemons for a while we got the idea to go to the bar and place our order. The menu has a good selection of burgers, bao buns, topped fries and a few sides. All looked delicious so was excited to try. I went for the ‘what diet’ triple burger with cheese and brisket and the ‘fat panda fries’ topped with chopped salt and pepper chicken aioli and chilli jam. The burger alone was £13 and the topped fries was £8. I also got a frozen margarita £5. The margarita was disappointing. It tasted nice but served in the American style red plastic cup it wasn't filled to the top and they put two huge ice cubes in the bottom which clearly takes up a big volume of the cup which reduces the amount of margarita they can put in. It was frozen margarita so why put ice cubs in to ice. We had to wait a while for the food. Prob about 20 mins. No panic, but it came out hot and fresh. The burger didn’t look as big as I thought it would be and definitely not like the one on the instagram page. I picked it up and it was just like mush. The bun was so soft. The the brisket was so moist it was like it had been through a blender. All the flavours was delicious though, but it just wasn’t easy to eat because it just fell to pieces in my hand. Still polished iit off though. The fries was good. But was a bit disappointed with the amount I got as I did expect a bit more for paying £8 for them. The chopped chicken tenders on it wasn’t anything special. I wouldn’t say I didn’t enjoy the food. But would only give it a 7/10.

I normally frequent places in Manchester for food as they’ve got such a wide selection of the best eating places in the north west and it’s always buzzing unlike Preston. But when a business like this opens in Preston then I do like to try it and show my support. But visits like this make me think why do I bother. No one even asked how our food was or waved us good bye. I won’t be in a rush to go back and think for £26 for a burger, chips and drink is scandalous for Preston especially when they aren’t even on the same level as the burger places they’ve clearly got their inspiration from.

Hope the owner makes some adjustments to the prices and stop skimping...

5/5 Stars: Fantastic Night at Tipsy Chef – Verity and the Salt & Pepper Platter Were Unbeatable! Dropped by Tipsy Chef in Preston with a friend for a chilled evening, and it was pure gold. The place has a vibrant, urban edge – think street-art vibes and a buzzing crowd, right in the city centre. Our server, Verity, was an absolute gem, greeting us with a big smile and infectious enthusiasm. When we couldn’t decide on a starter, she recommended the salt & pepper platter with confidence, and it was a game-changer. The platter was a flavor explosion: crispy, tender squid with a zesty kick, perfectly seasoned fries, and plump prawns with a subtle chili heat, all tied together with a tangy dipping sauce. Every bite was fresh and varied, keeping us hooked. We paired it with craft beers from their diverse drinks menu, which hit the spot. Verity kept things seamless, topping up drinks and tossing in a funny quip about Preston’s weather, making the night feel effortless and fun. Tipsy Chef’s menu has tons of variety – burgers, bao buns, vegan options – so there’s something for everyone. Verity’s top-notch service and that epic platter made this a night to remember. Can’t wait to come back!...

You'll see from my other reviews that I'm a big fan of food. I spent the best part of a week reading reviews and looking for somewhere to go to for lunch with my best friend, for a day before my birthday catch-up. I eventually settled on Tipsy Chef because it's not in Manchester, and it's open for lunch. My usual haunts don't open until late afternoon.

I'm glad that I picked here. I think the burger is without a doubt the best I've ever had, and the waffle chips with chicken gravy are indescribable. I can't find the words.

So what did I have?

Fake Taxi Burger : Smashed beef • American cheese • Rump steak • Baconnaise Bacon jam • Crispy cabbage

Doritos : Fried chicken • Habanero Pineapple • Ranch • Cheese sauce • Corn salsa

Up North Fries : Waffle fries • Cheese sauce • Chicken gravy • Pickles

I will definitely be returning here to try the other offerings.

If you believe in tipping for good service, be aware that they can't take tips on card. I felt bad because I had no cash and wasn't able to tip Ruby and Becky, our servers who gave fantastic service. But as I will be going back, I'll make up for...