How our new loaded fries went down with regulars

A proper bar snack has to earn its place. It needs enough flavour to keep a table interested, enough substance to handle a long match, and enough flexibility to suit a quick bite between drinks. That was the test for our new loaded fries at The Approach in Nottingham.

We put the first plates in front of regulars who know the venue, the menu and the rhythm of a busy sports day. These were the people who can settle in for a Premier League fixture, debate a questionable referee call and still notice whether the cheese pull is up to scratch.

The brief was simple: crisp fries, generous toppings and flavours that work with a cold pint. We wanted something that felt familiar without being ordinary, with enough variety for a group sharing food during live sport or weekend entertainment.

For readers in Australia, the idea should feel immediately familiar. Think of the kind of loaded chips that disappear during an AFL game in Melbourne, a Saturday NRL fixture in Brisbane or a late-night catch-up around a Sydney pub table. The difference is that these fries arrive with a Nottingham edge and a menu built for a proper British bar.

What went onto the plate

The base is made for holding toppings without collapsing. The fries are crisp at the edges and soft in the middle, giving each forkful a sturdy texture rather than a soggy pile. That matters when the plate is shared across a table and everyone reaches in at a different pace.

The topping mix brings together melted cheese, smoky bacon, spring onion and a drizzle of sauce with a gentle kick. It is rich enough to feel indulgent, but the fresh onion cuts through the heavier elements. A little heat arrives at the end rather than taking over from the cheese and bacon.

We also tested a meat-free version with spiced beans, roasted peppers, cheese and herb sauce. It has its own character rather than feeling like the standard plate with one ingredient removed. The beans add body, while the peppers bring sweetness and a slight char.

That balance was partly inspired by the pleasure of matching bold flavours with drinks. We took a small cue from an arts and wine festival and treated the toppings like a tasting lineup: smoky, creamy, spicy and fresh elements should each have a job.

The regulars’ verdict

The first reaction was about texture. Several regulars went straight for the middle of the plate, expecting the cheese and sauce to make the fries soft. Instead, the base still had enough bite to stand up to the toppings. That crisp-to-creamy contrast became the most repeated compliment.

The bacon and cheese version performed especially well during football. It is salty, savoury and comforting, the sort of snack that works when attention is split between the plate and the screen. One regular described it as “dangerously easy to keep picking at”, which is exactly what a sharing dish should encourage.

The spicy bean fries found a different audience. People who wanted a little more flavour without a heavy meat topping liked the smoky beans and peppery sauce. The heat is moderate, so it suits a mixed group rather than turning the plate into a dare.

Australian diners will recognise the social side of that reaction. A shared plate has to work for the mate who wants something substantial, the person grazing between drinks and the one who says they will only have “a couple” before getting fully invested in the match. These loaded fries managed to cover all three.

Built for sport, music and long sessions

Loaded fries are at their best when the timing is right. They can land before kick-off, arrive during half-time or provide a late snack once the band has finished a set. At The Approach, multiple HD screens make it easy to keep up with major football, rugby, cricket, motorsport and more while food stays central to the occasion.

The dish also suits the way big fixtures shape a night out. A Champions League match can bring a crowd in early, with tables filling before the first whistle and drinks ordered around the expected pace of the game. Our Champions League guide gives that football audience a useful sense of what is happening at the venue.

For Australian supporters, the time difference adds another layer. A European match may begin at an awkward hour in Perth, Sydney or Adelaide, while an afternoon UK kick-off can fall neatly into an evening at home. Either way, the loaded fries are designed for a full session rather than a rushed meal.

They are equally at home on a live music weekend. The smoky topping works with beer and ale, while the fresher version sits nicely beside a cocktail, wine or soft drink. The food should add to the atmosphere without forcing people to leave the action.

Pairings that made sense

The regulars tested the fries with several drinks, and the classic match was a chilled lager. Its clean, light finish resets the palate after the cheese, bacon and sauce. A pale ale brought more bitterness and citrus, which worked particularly well with the spicy bean topping.

For a richer pairing, the bacon fries stood up to a darker ale. The malted flavours echoed the smoky elements and made the snack feel closer to a complete meal. That combination would suit a winter fixture or a Sunday session when the pace is relaxed.

Wine was a pleasant surprise. A crisp white helped with the salt and heat, while a medium-bodied red had enough fruit and structure for the bacon version. The important point is that the fries are not locked into a single drink category.

Loaded fries style Best match What regulars noticed
Cheese, bacon and spring onion Lager or darker ale Smoky, salty and highly shareable
Spiced beans and roasted peppers Pale ale or crisp white wine Warm spice with a fresher finish
Extra-sauce version Cold soft drink or light lager More indulgent and suited to grazing
Mixed sharing plate A round of different drinks Gives everyone a flavour to chase

The plates that came back empty

A tasting is useful, but empty plates are the clearest feedback. The cheese and bacon fries disappeared fastest during football, especially when the match was close. People tended to order them for the table, then quietly claim a favourite corner once the action began.

The vegetarian fries lasted slightly longer at the start, then caught up as more people tried them. That was a good sign: they were not being chosen only by meat-free diners. The roasted peppers and spiced beans gave the dish enough depth to compete with the bacon version.

We also paid attention to portion size. The fries are generous enough for sharing, but they can double as a satisfying individual meal with a drink. That flexibility matters in a city-centre venue, where one group may be settling in for hours and another may be stopping by before a show or a night out.

The final test was messiness. Loaded fries should be indulgent, but they should not require a stack of napkins and a tactical plan. The toppings stayed where they belonged, the sauce was easy to scoop and the plate remained manageable from first bite to last.

The details regulars rated most

The feedback kept returning to a few practical points:

The strongest combinations were clear by the end of the tasting:

The new loaded fries are now ready for the tables that make The Approach what it is: sports fans, live music crowds, city-centre regulars and visitors looking for a relaxed place to eat and drink. Find the latest food, sport and entertainment details on The Approach website and make the fries part of your next match-day or weekend session.