Anyone living in Selly Oak will almost certainly already be familiar with The Bristol Pear. Located oh-so conveniently (and unsurprisingly, given its name) on Bristol Road, this pub is a go-to for many students, with something for everyone. With pool tables, plentiful seating space and reasonably priced drinks, as well as a variety of events (from spoken word evenings to pub quizzes) – The Bristol Pear has it all. The food options have been numerous and enticing every time I’ve visited over the past year, so when I heard they were changing their menu in February I was a little sceptical about what alterations would be made. However, I can confirm that the new additions do not disappoint. Adding to their pre-existing options for all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner have come items such as the mouth-watering chocolate-chip cookie stack, the delectable double beef pitstop pie, an enticing variety of loaded subs, and lots of new available toppings to spice up your mac ‘n’ cheese or personalise your burger.

Upon visiting I was lost at what to try first, but eventually settled on a BBQ jackfruit loaded sub with sweet potato fries – all of which was vegan, but I’m pretty convinced even the avid carnivores amongst us would have enjoyed it just as much as I did. The subs (as the label suggests) are generously loaded with filling, and priced very reasonably at £6.45. This includes a non-alcoholic drink, becoming £7.45 with a beer or mixed drink –  a great deal for students. My friends ordered the sloppy joe sub – perfect for the meat-heads of the group – and the smoky soya sloppy joe burger. All three of our meals went down an absolute treat. Whether vegan, veggie, or simply just hungry, everything was packed full of flavour and had an authentic home-cooked feel to it. A huge number of items on the menu can be altered to be vegan, including the nachos and even the mac ‘n’ cheese, so I would highly recommend a visit to the Bristol Pear for any vegan or lactose-intolerant food-lovers. The options for gluten free eaters could be made clearer as I couldn’t spot any notes of them on the menu, but full allergen information can be made available, so I would advise checking this out in advance of visiting if you require any dietary requirements.   

I would say that the new additions to The Bristol Pear menu have definitely kept up with the high standards already available – well priced, generously served and, most importantly, delicious, this pub definitely knows how to please a student crowd. Whether you’re looking for a hangover-curing brunch, a satisfying snack in between a few games of pool, or simply a meal that will hit the spot without breaking the bank – the The Bristol Pear is always a safe bet.

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