To start, the pub is called The Ring (steady...) home of, allegedly, the first boxing ring in the Capital. Thankfully for the suits of Southwark, the safely renovated little corner boozer opposite the tube station is no longer a hot bed of pugilism, but a reasonably funky chain pub Farrow and Ball'ed to the nines and only let down only by its generic beer choices.
Rather than focussing on the usual pub grub favourites, they've kept things beautifully simple here, with a kitchen takeover featuring street food legends Big Apple Hot Dogs. Other than a few snacks and sides, you're limited to long boiled links inna bun. It's not subtle, diet (or vegetarian) friendly but seriously.. What's not to like about that? If they go with fizzy wine over at Fitzrovia's BubbleDogs, they go even better with fizzy lager.
We were served the most beautifully judged Big Apple hot dogs in a run through their range. We did the 'Big Frank' (the clue's in the name) and couldn't resist the 'Huge Pole' (pfnarr!), a full 'eight inches' (coooorrr!) of 'magnificent pork and beef' (wayhey! snooort...) frankfurter smothered in a mild but flavoursome chilli, warm enough to make its point, mild enough to let the flavours of the sausage flood through (ahem.. enough). There's only so much you can do with a hot dog, and for me it needs to be kept as simple as possible. Sides were just that, chips and well cooked onion rings, the latter more a sight gag - especially after five pints of yer finest Continental lager.
Is it an 'experience'? Some hip new place to queue for dude food? Not in the slightest. It's just a decent local pub within spitting distance of Waterloo station serving great bar food. And that's enough for me.
The Ring - 72 Blackfriars Road, Southwark
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