Eating out: pubgoer favourite is the mac daddy

SLOANS may well be the oldest bar and restaurant in Glasgow (it was established in 1797) — but personally, I’m interested in another claim to fame.

The city centre staple is often touted as having the best macaroni cheese in Glasgow — by its own menu, admittedly...but more importantly, by word of mouth.

It’s a claim backed by the Scottish Macaroni Appreciation Club (with the wonderful acronym SMAC), which meets there each month to try weird and wonderful versions.

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The bar/restaurant itself is tucked down a cobbled lane, with a cosiness that lends itself well to winter warmers and pre-Christmas drinks.

Settled in a candlit corner with a pint and a half of St Mungo, we picked a few classics from the starter menu; Welsh rarebit and the soup of the day, tomato and lentil.

The rarebit was exactly what you’d expect and want; a thick, crunchy slab of toast topped with an oozing mound of cheddar, beer and worchester sauce. The soup was also very good; the tangy tomato complemented perfectly by hearty red lentils.

On then to the main event, and I graciously allowed the other half — a mac addict — to try the star dish. He opted for the parmesan and sunblushed tomato variety, and wasn’t disappointed when the huge, molten cauldron (perfectly crusted) arrived, skinny fries and salad on the side.

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I went for a ham hock and black pudding hash topped with two fried eggs, and was just as happy with salty ham, crunchy potatoes and gooey topping, courtesy of perfectly runny yolks.

It’s a dish I’ll be attempting at home, and sums up Sloans food to a tee; simple, home-style grub with plentiful portions and the kind of dishes that will warm your cockles.

This may not be the cheapest pub food you’ll find, but it’s a tasty way to fill a gap — and get some high-quality pints in at the same time.

Rating: 8/10

Sloans

62 Argyll Arcade

108 Argyle Street

Glasgow

G2 8BG

Tel: 0141 221 8886