Butlins, Minehead, is known as one of the UK's best family entertainment holiday destinations. With celebrity guest appearances showcased in their Studio 36 venue and a free on-site fairground, Butlins has established itself in many families hearts. In August, we had the pleasure of staying at the Minehead Resort, and we used our time wisely to review the restaurants within the complex. Offering many cuisine varieties, such as an Italian pizzeria, an American diner, and a venue named 'Firehouse Grill' (a chicken restaurant similar to Nando's), this specific place caught our attention. Feeding time while on vacation can become stressful. People these days sometimes skip the opulent pleasure of dining out with their family in favor of a meal in their accommodation because food prices are rising so quickly. Butlins, Minehead, has their customers interests at heart, trying to cater for everyone. Although they miss an Indian or Chinese take-out on the grounds, there are still popular options to fill your bellies. One evening we stumbled across the Firehouse Grill which looked like Butlins own take on the popular food chain Nandos, we knew we had to try this place out. Because Butlins offers affordable lodges, caravans, and chalets, it is undoubtedly a destination of choice for everyone.

OUR EXPERIENCE

You can only imagine how crowded the campsite was if you visited Butlins in August. Being peak season, there were literally queues everywhere. You would have to wait for a drink while standing at the bar for perhaps 15 to 20 minutes. If you wanted to guarantee you would get in, you would have to wait in line for the swimming pool for almost an hour. We therefore assumed that we would simply go to Burger King for dinner every night or make a quick trip to the nearby supermarket and eat at our accommodation every evening. However, one night after we had just left the live performance of the masked singer, we passed by the Firehouse Grill restaurant, which is positioned in the heart of Butlins main area, named the Skyline. To our surprise, the restaurant was empty even at 5 o'clock in the evening. We knew it was now or never to try out this much-talked-about venue. As a group of 8, we knew it was now or never if we wanted to experience some onsite food service. At the door, we were graciously welcomed by a member of staff who gladly accommodated our party, even pushing tables together in the process so we could all enjoy the meal as a collective. Before your stay at Butlins, we strongly advise downloading the Bserve app, which enables you to order food directly to your table from your phone, saving you time from having to wait for a waiter or waitress. We were thrilled with the rates while browsing the menu because they offered a special "kids eat for £1" side menu, which was ideal because two of our three children hardly ever finish their dinner. The basic concept behind this deal is that if you buy an adult meal at full price, you may also purchase a £1 child's meal from a different menu that includes southern fried popcorn chicken, tomato pasta, chicken burgers, or fish goujons. 

Our family of five chose the chicken burger, two chicken wraps, and one tomato pasta, while the other three companions ordered chicken hot wings and two additional chicken burgers. We were astounded at how quickly the meal arrived at our table and at how simple it was to make our order using the app. We previously reviewed the diner at Butlins in Minehead, and as we noted, while the service there was quick, the food was not warm. This was not the case at Firehouse Grill; the fast service was also backed up by well-cooked food. For an entertainment camp of this size, the total time it took for our dinner to arrive at our table for 8 people was 16 minutes, which is excellent. The chicken had a wonderful crunch, the tomato pasta was a decent size, even for a kid's portion, and the chicken wrap looked scrumptious. The quality exceeded our expectations. The opinions of the other three members of our group supported our assessment of the burgers, and they also mentioned that the chicken wings were equally delicious. The provided chips with each adult dish had a decent texture and were perfectly seasoned before serving. It may have just been the time of day (5 p.m.), but there was no atmosphere within the grill house, only the clicking of plates heard from the kitchen. We are very certain that on some occasions we have walked by and the sound of music was coming from inside, so we may have just come at the wrong time. Due to the restaurant's prime position, we can be sure that it will be busy during peak dinner hours. If you prefer a more tranquil dining experience, try to visit the meal locations when Butlins is showing top entertainment acts in their Studio 36 or Center Stage arenas. 

OUR SCORE

8/10

GOLD RATING

All IN ALL

Without a doubt, we would return to the Firehouse Grill. It's difficult to go past in such a prominent spot on the camp and not smell the magnificence. This restaurant is a winner in our book thanks to the affordable kids menu; you'll feel content and full after your meal.