Slug & Lettuce, Low Ousegate, York

A very roomy bar with large windows overlooking the river, York's branch of the Slug & Lettuce chain is popular with local office workers and tourists, particularly on Monday lunchtimes when food is half price. Inside, there are bare brick walls, inoffensive Ikea-style fittings and decor, plus loads of tables and chairs. The creamy and cheesy fish pie, served with some willowy green beans and crispy ciabatta, is good comfort food, while the ultimate burger (about a tenner) is a generous "mini-skyscraper" of meat, cheese, onion rings, mushrooms, bacon and bread. Served with chips, it should fill you up. Fosters, John Smith and other mainstream beers are on tap, while cheerful young locals wait on tables. Not exactly the place to soak up York's history, but a respectable pit-stop. 6/10