There are certain things on any menu that I will always get, no matter what mood I’m in, no matter how hungry I am, because I love it so much. For some people it’s calamari or burrata, for me it’s the Scotch Egg.
As someone living abroad in the UK for on and off for seven years I have an appreciation for British food that it internationally it lacks. I’m a comfort savory girlie and nothing is more comforting than the meat and carb forward diet of British cuisine.
Now if you don’t quite frankly fuck with British food, you won’t be fucking with this Blog, and more specifically if you don’t fuck with Scotch Eggs you won’t be fucking with me. (See my TikTok this week on why I rank British cuisine over Thai).
I now speak to the Scotch Eggs fans directly: if you’re wondering who am I to be judging the best Scotch Eggs? Am I Scottish? Am I an egg farmer? No to both, but rest assured I am qualified. If you need further proof go and eat every Scotch egg on this list and come back to me and try and tell me they aren’t the best. I await your comments eagerly.
What is a Scotch Egg?
Briefly I will describe what a Scotch Egg is because non-Brits may be confused. It is a soft boiled egg within an enclave of sausage meat that is then coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried.
It’s usually a starter or appetizer but can be ordered on the side with drinks as a small bite on its own. It’s served warm in restaurants (so all the round ups on this list) but also can be eaten cold straight from the fridge. This idea of eating cold items without warming them up is sometimes foreign to many non-Brits, but rest assure it's completely cooked and you're good (always read the label when in doubt).
You’ll find them in any grocery shop in the UK (Sainsbury's, Tesco, Mark's and Spencers, etc) and they're the perfect picnic in the park nosh. I particularly like 'Egg Bites' bought from the shop which are hard boiled eggs mixed together with sausage meat. Buy these and bring them home to heat in your oven until crispy on the outside, then serve with my personal favourite combo of Brown sauce and Mayo. You'll thank me later.
Brief History of a the Scotch Egg
While it’s classic British pub fare, its origins may surprise you.
Scotch Eggs are not from Scotland as one would assume, but originally come from the Whitby area of Yorkshire in the North of England in the late 19th century. It was popularized by William J Scott & Sons, where it got its nickname from ‘Scotch Egg’.
Now there’s also historical links of the putting an egg within meat across multiple cultures that may have brought the original idea to England, but for the sake of brevity and our stomachs (source: bro trust me) we’ll be focusing on this most recent adaptation and where to dine on the best of the best.
#Beccasaud Scotch Egg Recommendations:
1. The Turks Head
Leeds, England
Beccasaud Rating: 4.7
Google Review Rating: 4.6
I've written about The Turk's Head previously in Where to Eat the Best Sunday Roasts (Up North) article and I will be writing about them again.
Located in a little alley way amongst the many arcades off the main shopping street of Briggate in Leeds lies The Turks Head.
I describe The Turk's Head as the perfect first date spot, secluded away off the High Street, modern interiors with a vintage feel, low lighting, the music is never too loud and they have a perfectly short Menu filled of British classics like steak and ale pie, fish and chips and, of course, a Scotch Egg.
Their Scotch Egg is perfectly gooey with a black pudding mixed in with the sausage meat its utterly perfection for £7.50. If this happens to be your first Scotch Egg than I’m sorry for any future ones because you’re starting at the top.
Pair this with one of their weekly rotating craft beers on draft or seasonally refreshing 2-for-1 cocktails made with craft and care and you'll be sure to impress your date (one of my dates here ended up being my fiancé so who knows?)
2. Hazel
Glasgow, Scotland
Beccasaud Rating: 4.8
Google Review Rating: 4.7
Hazel is the restaurant for the Marriott AC Hotel Glasgow, but you truly wouldn’t know it. Beyond connecting to one of the most functional and beautiful lobbies the Hazel doesn’t feel like a restaurant within a Hotel.
Now I didn’t specifically go here to seek out this Scotch Egg but it was on the menu so it was over before it started. I wish I got a cross section photo because it was so so good.
The things I love about this Scotch Egg are the things I also love about The Turks Head Scotch Egg: black pudding mixed in with sausage meat, light perfect crispy breadcrumb exterior and soft egg on the inside.
Head to head I may have to say Hazel was the slightest amount better but honestly who knows.
3. The Horseshoe
Hampstead, London
Beccasaud Rating: 4.4
Google Review Rating: 4.3
Now for this Scotch Egg I am most definitely bias as this may of been the first one I’ve ever had (truly hard to recall with the many Scotch Eggs in my past) but it still stands out as memorable and great in my mind, and that’s what truly counts when recalling meals.
Londoners already know the charm of Hampstead and it’s Heath. For those who don’t it’s truly equal parts quaint village High Street meets sprawling outdoor walks. It’s the location where Londoners escape London and get a peek one of the pricest postcodes this nation has the offer.
I recommend going for Sunday roast splitting a Scotch Egg as a palette opener with your dining companion then walking to the Heath. If you fancy something different, check out Sigmund Freud’s house where he spent his last years. It's an interesting peek into famously (sexist) psychologist.