Dining Out: The Tunny Catch, Burniston Road, Scarborough

Scarborough's newest pub-restaurant, just a wave-pool splash away from the recently opened Alpamare water park off Burniston Road, is certainly proving popular.
Generous George and The Tunny Catch on Burniston Road, Scarborough.Generous George and The Tunny Catch on Burniston Road, Scarborough.
Generous George and The Tunny Catch on Burniston Road, Scarborough.

Our visit on a Tuesday evening came just over two weeks after its opening, and there was a steady stream of diners and drinkers. We visited again this week for a drink, and it was equally busy.

Maybe it’s because it’s shiny and new and different, or 
maybe people are already finding it a convivial place for a pint and pub nosh.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There’s plenty to admire about it. The inside is smart and light, with quite a buzz of an atmosphere.

I liked the way there are distinct areas – at one end for families (games, screens etc), in the centre a dining area, and at the other end a bar/dining area with pool table.

The staff are eagerly efficient, offering a warm welcome, and the menu is extensive, with sections for burgers, pizzas and grill as well as standard pub fare. There are choices for light bites, lunchtime cakes, sandwiches ... the list goes on.

It’s a chain pub, under the umbrella of Marston’s Generous George brand, and it was disappointing that, with the name it has, there are no references or acknowledgement of its location – of fishing, Scarborough, even the coast or sea.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Having said that, the decor was far from bland, with the walls adorned with slogans, and the menu puns – Frosty the Doughman, Ham-ma Mia, What’s Your Frydentity, Dough You Want Me Baby? – were cornier than their corn on the cob.

From the action-packed and fun-packed menu, we chose one starter – eight garlic dough balls, which arrived speedily and was, well, as described, though a little short on the garlic butter.

Of the main courses, son’s pizza – called Butcher’s Block – was ample and very tasty, with its toppings of pepperoni, ham, mini-meatballs, smokey chicken and mozzarella.

Our other two mains choice were burgers, accompanied by chips and coleslaw, in a plastic basket. The Buttermilk Blazer was a stonking portion of chicken goujons and Monterey Jack cheese given a spicy tang by chilli mayo, in a bagel (burgers come with a choice of bagel or bun). The Pitmaster is another mountain – somewhere beneath lashings of beef brisket smothered in barbecue sauce lay a prime steak burger, accompanied by onions and Monterey Jack cheese. “This burger means business”, said the menu, and if it – and 
the Blazer – had been a tad warmer, it would have meant excellence.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

To round off a largely satisfying meal came a dessert of key lime pie. As promised, the lime was tangy, and was complemented by a raspberry coulis alongside.

Two things I haven’t yet mentioned. One is the penny-change-for-charity scheme, with three good causes benefiting from a charity chest, which is very commendable.

And the other, which may have been a factor in the popularity – the price.

For the choice of menu, and size and quality of portions, nothing was overly expensive, in fact it was very good value. Our bill for three people, including drinks, shaded just over £40.

Rating: 7/10

Related topics: