Everyone has that one friend who loves spicy food, but three jalapeños later they are crying and asking for water – “Agua! Agua!”. In my life, that is Jimmy. We met at a house party in our 2^nd year of university and the rest was history. We spent most of our days together, talking about boys, our future and doing what we do best – discovering new places for food. I come from a culture where eating spicy food is non-negotiable. I’ve tried to introduce Jimmy into this world of spicy food, but as a traditional German guy, he can’t get enough of his Schnitzels and Maultaschen.

We usually ended up eating at some run-of-the-mill food chain restaurant, which made me even more homesick. Every day I missed my father’s cooking. As a chef he made delicious food garnished with a dash of salsa, hence, making chilies the main ingredient. He named his salsa, Sánchez. Let’s be honest, what’s food without some PICANTE?!

At first, I thought Jimmy was just pulling my leg when he told me about a mysterious Dirty Sánchez burger at a restaurant called The Smoke Haus. However, he kept going on about how I converted him into a spice lover. Eventually, I caved in and thought I have to meet this mysterious Sánchez in person.

One Tuesday afternoon I walked on down to The Smoke Haus to check out this Dirty Sánchez burger. Let me just tell you that burger was E P I C. I still remember biting into that juicy meat. Perfect swiss cheese combined with fresh guacamole trickling down my hands (I admit licking my hands each time before it touched my sleeves). To my surprise it even had my favourite ingredient, roquito peppers.

Now every time we want some spicy food, we know a fiery little burger awaits us at our new favourite joint.

Do you like spicy food? We want to know it!

Wait! Don’t tell us that you clicked on this blog expecting to find content that you thought was something else?

Are you an international student? Missing your family dinners back home? That never-ending display of dishes, each one tastier than the last. Your brother wanted ribs, your father wanted smoked brisket, and you wanted something spicy. Your mother made it all with a smile on her face the whole time. The hardest thing about those dinners was choosing what to devour first, right?

Now you’re studying abroad alone, you don’t know how to prepare the feast your mother cooked up with so much love for your family. Don’t fret – we’ve got the solution. Check out the awesome Threesome Pit Plate at The Smoke Haus.

 

Choose from six kinds of meats, all slow cooked, and create your own masterpiece: melt in your mouth pulled pork, smoky brisket, tender and juicy baby back ribs, authentic NY deli style Pastrami, and spicy BBQ tender chicken. Is your mouth watering yet?

 

We don’t skimp out on the portions of our succulent meat. This is a meal that doesn’t just feed your stomach – it feeds your soul. Come on over and indulge in this meat lover’s dream come true. Until you see your mother again, let The Smoke Haus give you the feast you’re longing for. Now, isn’t that better than the threesome you were thinking about?

Starting your university life can be scary, especially as an international student. Making new friends, having new experiences and facing new challenges are all things to look forward to. However, as the months start to pass and the classes end, you can start to feel lonely. Some of your friends go home, but you might be staying in Cardiff over the Easter break.

 

 

Sofia, a Latin-American student, is studying a Masters in Physics at the University of South Wales. She hasn’t been able to see her family, friends and her dog back in Colombia since September. One of Sofia’s favourite activities back home is her Thursday ritual of meeting up with friends on the high street in Bogotá. They had the best time drinking ice cold milkshakes while discussing their future plans. Her favorite joint was a restaurant with graffiti filled walls and kick ass music.

 

This milkshake meet up with her friends was not only a tradition, but also a moment of bonding with her mates. Every Thursday Sofia wishes she could go back to that time of her life. But Sofia didn’t want to be sad – instead she decided to Google the best milkshakes in Cardiff. Coming across a few results, the one that caught her attention was a restaurant that mirrored her favourite restaurant back in Colombia: The Smoke Haus. Situated on Mary Ann Street, the American-style restaurant offers 6 different types of milkshakes. Here are a few to get your taste buds tingling!

 

The Toffle: Toffee pudding ice cream with waffles, toffee sauce and mountains of whipped cream. Yummy!

 

 

Fairground Delight: This is one for all the strawberry lovers out there! Strawberry ice cream and strawberry puree topped with lots of whipped cream, a donut, marshmallows, and tangfastics. What else could a strawberry fanatic want?

 

 

 

And Sofia’s favorite The Choco Nightmare: Not for the faint hearted! With chocolate in every corner, delicious whipped cream and digestive biscuit to give the final touch.

 

 

Now, Sofia has a new tradition. She meets up with her uni friends at her favorite comfort food restaurant. She feels great, because she’s able to continue her tradition with her new friends and a great shake.