Get outta town... our food critic Denzille De Ville has been ranging far and wide across the border down Mexico Devon way - I know it's out of my jurisdiction but I'll allow it, dagnabit. This week he's found himself in The Route 66 Diner in Axminster.

I arrived in style...

Here we go..

EXTREMELY Odd mix here, the warm exterior and red white and blue welcome you into the DVD hire shop? Strange but true, the owners have managed to squeeze a 25 seater diner into a tiny DVD rental shop on Axminster High Street! DVD hire club regulars browse the DVD’s for hire while you sit surrounded in Americana, Norman Rockwell images, cowboy boots, old copies of the National Enquirer are placed strategically throughout the place to whisk your tiny mind off to Americaland, and it kinda works! America is not everyone’s flavor at the moment but we can’t blame a nation for the world’s ailments. And the burgers are terrific!

Your server for tonight is...

Our waitress was a local lass, she greeted us with a rousing “What ken I git youse guys?” a mixed up Devonian accent with a Hint of New Joysey and a smattering of Napoleon Dynamite, good fun !!

Nachostastic

We ordered nachos to share, a Route 66 burger and a Mexicana burger. The nachos arrived on time, piled high with Monterey Jack cheese (whatever a Monterey Jack cheese is?) Jalapenos and a good side of HOMEMADE Guacamole, salsa and sour cream, I have to say we fought over the last tortilla. I won.

Burger me…

Next up y’all, BURGERTIME! Our burgers were served up by the proprietor, a real live septic (septic tank = yank) this Gal was all the way from Texas, apparently Gina came over to wrestle (or rustle) some cows in England and ended up marrying the Devon Cowboy showing her the ropes! It was a bit of a shock to meet a real Texan in Devon, we stayed calm, friendly fire and all that, guns, didn’t want to upset her. (just kidding) Gina is from Houston Texas home of JR Ewing.

Route 66 burger arrived, served with crisp fresh fries a side salad, onion rings and Guacamole, the burgers are made from local beef, 99% steak, high quality fare, I flipped the lid and added Quacamole, salsa and ketchup into the mix, refitted the lid and I picked the enormous burger up by the scruff of the neck and bit in. Burger heaven.

Mexicana burger up next, my friend found this meal a little tooooo much to handle, it was hot, chilli hot hot hot, this burger could kill a man. He didn’t die, but he did’nt finish it either! He fell into a burger ring of fire.

Conclusion…..

Get yo Bridport ass over to Axminster for a real treat, close your eyes and you could be there (USA all the way) plus you save 5 grand on the airfare.

Yee harrrrrrrrrrr, go for it !! I shall return. Well done.

9/10 Bridport Radio Stars – Good lunchtime fare.

Denzille De Ville.
Food critic Bridport Radio.

The song "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66" was composed in 1946 by Bobby Troup and recorded that same year by Nat King Cole.