‘Crispy, crunchy and carb-loaded’: Pattersons, Liverpool, reviewed

Some things are just made to go hand-in-hand together. Bread and butter, gin and tonic, Tom and Jerry, Barbie and Ken, and, of course, Liverpool and fried chicken. The marriage between this wonderful city and this simple street food dish is something of beauty. If there’s anywhere in the UK that knows how to make a finger lickin’ good portion of crispy battered chicken, it’s here. 

That’s just what I was craving on a Thursday evening before meeting my pal for a catch-up. Waiting in Wolstenholme Square, I pulled out my phone to text ‘Where are you?’ and saw the red neon signage for Pattersons flicker from the corner of my eye. 

Its name in lights, alongside a friendly-looking cartoon cockerel fella and another sign made from neon tubing that read ‘chicken & tunes’ (another great match) with an arrow pointing towards the front door, I was beyond intrigued. 

I deleted my text and typed instead ‘Meet me in Pattersons, I’ll get us a table’.  

Walking through the door, I was instantly hit by a buzzing post-work atmosphere; tables of mates sat around laughing as they shared jokes over drinks, couples stopping off for a quick bite to eat before starting their night out, families treating themselves to an ‘it’s almost the weekend’ treat. You name it, it had every vibe going. It’s a venue with a typical dive bar feel in terms of style and character, but it gives off the warmest of welcomes. 

My mate arrived a few minutes later, joining me in one of the booths where we settled in and admired the quirky decor as we scanned over the menu. 

Bright, neon lettering draws your attention to each subsection of the menu, from their famous fried chicken to hot wing challenges, but the item (or should I say items) that got our attention the most was ‘Patts Platter’. For the very generous price of £38, you’ll receive any two single stack burgers, a portion of loaded fries, four wings of your choice, hash browns, gravy and curry dips to share between two. 

Feeling absolutely ravenous, we decided to give it a go, customising our order with the chipshop curry loaded fries, salt and pepper wings (when in Rome…), a ‘Flying Pig’ burger and a ‘Plain Jane’. 

For the nostalgia factor, we each went for a can of fizzy pop to complete the scene - after all, Irn Bru and Barr Cream Soda beat a beer hands down any day of the week. 

After a bit of nattering, our food arrived on a large metal tray, chicken and chips spilling over the sides with a generous helping of curry sauce and gravy served on the side in a pair of mugs.

For a moment we sat speechless, just staring at the sheer enormity of the platter we’d ordered, almost intimidated by its size. 

The Plain Jane burger stood tall and wide, taking up a good quarter of the tray. The Flying Pig even taller, wider and mightier, casting a literal shadow over the rest of the meal. 

Unsure which part of the behemoth tray to tackle first, we delved into the chip shop curry loaded fries; a generous heap of chips piled high with Patt’s Famous Fried Chicken, chip shop-style curry sauce and sprinklings of spring onion. This carb-loaded sharing portion was just what was needed to get the party started. To add even more potatoey goodness into the mix, the hash browns had been nicely fried until golden brown with a crispy outer coating and fluffy centre. We took turns dunking them in our pots of curry sauce and gravy which proved to be a winning combo.  

Completing the round of sides, the salt and pepper wings sat under a bed of lightly caramelised onions and sliced chillis. Slightly charred and having soaked up plenty of the salt and pepper seasoning from the pan, these bad boys meant business. 

It was then time to bring out the big guns and take on the elephant in the room, or should I say the chicken burger on the tray. 

The Flying Pig which nearly took me out when it arrived - honestly, the thing is ginormous - was stuffed to the high heavens with fried chicken, pulled pork, pickles, waffle fries and garlic aioli to boot. Picking it up with both hands was a struggle - with one hand, impossible. If you don’t mind getting dirty in the name of flavour, this is the burger for you. 

Alternatively, if you're looking for something you might not drop down your lap, the Plain Jane is still a fantastic burger in its own right. The batter Pattersons uses on their chicken is something special and stands on its own two feet without need for sauces and toppings - those are just an added bonus.

The Patt’s Platter is absolutely incredible value for money considering just how much food you get between two of you. I feel like it could easily feed four people. 

For less than £50, we went from famished to absolutely stuffed, completely satisfied, and with a new favourite chicken spot in mind for future catch-ups. 

Pattersons, 28 Gradwell Street, Liverpool L1 4JH

Follow Harley Young on X @Harley__Young

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