THIS week for Ash’s Appetite, I headed over to the Alexandra Hills Hotel, a spot our readers voted for as the best for serving up hearty, reliable pub favourites.
To stay true to the theme, I went straight for the BBQ pork ribs, a classic choice and usually a safe bet when you’re chasing a proper feed.
The meal arrived on a massive plate, stacked with BBQ pork ribs smothered in sauce and topped with spring onions, plus a bright coleslaw and a serving of corn ribs on the side.
It looked like the kind of dish you settle in for.
The ribs themselves were decent.
On their own, I’d give them a 6/10.
They were tender and had good flavour, but the sauce leaned towards being a bit too sweet, which held them back.
The real standout was how much the coleslaw improved the whole experience.
Its fresh, tangy bite contradicted the sweetness of the sauce and evened everything out a bit, pushing the ribs up to a solid 9/10 when eaten together.
The corn ribs, though, were the letdown of the plate.
I love a good corn rib, but these came with only a touch of butter and not much else.
They needed seasoning, even a sprinkle of smoked paprika would’ve lifted them instantly, but I ended up drowning them in salt and pepper, which helped, but they could’ve been great with just a little more thought.
Portion sizes were generous, exactly what you want from a pub meal, and the wait time was reasonable.
Long enough to know the food was fresh, but not long enough to get restless.
Overall, Alexandra Hills Hotel delivered a hearty, satisfying pub feed with a ribs and coleslaw combo that genuinely surprised me.
A few tweaks to be exceptional, but worth a visit if you’re chasing a classic pub meal done mostly right.
