Food review: Deaf Institute, Manchester

It's one of the most lauded venues in Manchester, situated right in the heartbeat of the city's student district just off Oxford Rd and having played host to a multitude of bands, DJs and performers over the years. 

The Deaf Institute is, quite simply, a Mancunian institution, boasting a soundtrack that can range from everything to upfront electronica all the way to death metal, via it's litany of gigs and clubnights which prop up the venue's calender seven days a week.

Sadly for us when we arrive it's the latter, on account of the gig upstairs that is the justification for a sea of teenagers and long haired music lovers snaking rounds the walls of the venues as we stride inwards.

Norse inspired death metal aside, there's a welcoming atmosphere from the minute you walk in the venue and it manages to sit comfortably in the 'boozer with food' category, particularly when taking into account the pretty impressive beer selection as evidenced below.

We grabbed two pints of Brewdog 5AM Saint Beer and sat back in one of the booths tucked comfortably out of the way, perusing the menu as we supped the lovely red ale and made our decisions on what to eat.

They don't over complicate things, with burgers the staple offering and exactly what we gorged on when we went in. With one of us being vegetarian The Halloumi Shroomi burger was the only option, but what a cracker it turned out to be.

With the Halloumi infused with lime and chilli and delectably salty it combined brilliantly with the pepper, aioli and chilli sauce to create a great meal which was devoured in equal measure by the meat loving element of our party.

That lack of meat was countenanced by our next choice, the Double Cheeseburger, with two lovely moist patties segued with the classic combination of pickles, lettuce and cheese. The sauce was particularly good as well, just enough to add flavour without drenching the burger and bun in juice.

All burgers come with house fries, but you get the opportunity to upgrade them up to to two further two options, which is exactly what we did. The Porky Fries coat the chips in pulled pork, crispy bacon, chilli, Parmesan and spring onion, and were as good as they sounded.

It was the Pimped Fries though that stole the day. Roast pepper, aioli, guacamole, jalapenos, cheese and spring onion, as well as a smattering of Parmesan, combined to create the kind of side dish to die for when sat side by side with a burger. It's exactly how finger food should be, a little bit messy, tasty and irresistibly moreish.

The portions for both meals were generous, meaning that the over zealous hands of the meat eater rather surprisingly dealing with food envy for his vegetarian counterpart didn't put a negative spin on the experience, neither did the screeching rock which had actually become amusingly endearing by the end.

The Deaf Institute stood up tall for it's food, with a pleasingly simple set of options done very well. As a choice for the meal post office, pre gig or on a lazy weekend afternoon, goes it's up there with the best of them.

Want to know more about The Deaf Institute and what's coming up at the venue? Join the group here.