The Exchange (formerly Fat Cats) has a nostalgic nod to it’s buildings former life as the hub of communication in the city.  Housed in the beautiful Telephone Exchange building on Trinity Street,  it’s possibly one of my favourite buildings in the city due to the contrast between it’s renaissance style red brick facade and the grey characterless buildings near by.  Sounds pretty fancy for Stoke right?  The building itself is three stories and been part of the city for so long that it’s probable that you’ve never actually stepped back to admire the building in all its glory.   

The Exchange has been part of the city for so long that it’s probable that you’ve never actually stepped back to admire the building in all its glory.   

In fact, as one of the cities best known Friday or Saturday club nights featuring guest DJs from The Move (that I’m told the young -uns pile into when I’m at home watching a series or genuinely washing me hair), it’s likely the majority of it’s clientele are a little too intoxicated to take note of the architectural beauty.

The Exchange has always been the go to place for a hungry Saturday afternoon shopper or the various businesses in the town.  With an ever-growing customer base of young adults and the not so young of us (cough) venturing out of the city on the hunt for the latest “cool” places to eat in nearby Manchester or Birmingham, The Exchange seems to be upping it’s culinary game to “give the people what they want” and I was invited down to check out it’s summer menu.  

Independently owned, The Exchange is driven by helping growth amongst local businesses.Slap bang in the middle of intuPotteries Hive and the Cultural Quarter, it’s a great spot for food and drinks within walking distance of shopping spots or furthering drinks spots such as Bottlecraft or The Quarter if you’re starting as you mean to go on.

If you like cocktails and American influenced menu, we’re talking dirty Solita-esque dishes here, The Exchange kitchen has a locally sourced menu that caters for the majority and although meat heavy, you or your veggie mate will be equally as happy with a mojito, nacho bowl and halloumi fries.

With a burger menu to rival the likes of GBK and impress your most die-hard Stokie (yep, there’s a burger with a cheese oatcake atop) The Exchange are making a play for Hanley’s lunch time diners with their £5 burger offer.

If you aren’t into burgers, don’t worry, it’s not top of what I’d pick from a menu either. Mostly because I’m a bun lid remover which pretty much takes away the architecture of the perfect burger.   The menu also has classic sandwiches, fajitas, curry and gentler on them cals, salads.

Love your fries?  Well hello and welcome on down to no less than 10 Man V Food-esque loaded fries which take the simple formula of fries = good and infinitely better them by adding the likes of baconnaise, bacon bits, a tomato-sauce-pepperoni-cheese hybrid (Disco Fries), chicken and Mac n Cheese for the days you’re craving carbs.  Sounds sexy enough huh?  You can have these deluxe fries on their own (or to share if you’re not quite Adam Richman) or upgrade your burger to include them.

Not being a picky eater (!!) I find the hardest part of eating out is making the decision of what to order, which often means I over order on the sides, so personally I love the variety that the small plates menu has to offer means I don’t have to commit to one dish.  £15 for three dishes means that I’ve been slowly been working my way through the small plates menu and my top picks are the meatballs, chicken tenders, halloumi fries, GIANT serving of nachos and the house spring rolls.  De-lish-YUS.

Feeling hungry yet?   I know I am.

As well as the aforementioned lunch burgers and small plates offer, The Exchange have cottoned on to the fact that if there’s one thing us millennial love, it’s a breakfast/lunch hybrid accompanied by unlimited cocktails and fizz. 

That’s right.  Bottomless brunch in Hanley is now a thing, and The Exchange is where its at.  I’ve not been yet, but believe me, that steak n eggs has my name on it – and the booze, of course.

I’ll report back, but until then… try the Piggy Fries & thank me later.