A day at the Cheltenham Festival can be costly beyond just the ticket price. From dressing up to travel expenses, the budget extends to food and drinks throughout the day. Fortunately, the festival offers a variety of dining options that won’t break the bank.
Among the many food stalls, offerings range from classic burgers and fries to mac & cheese, even Indian street food. Prices typically hover between £10 and £20, often including meal deals with sides and drinks.
Curious about the priciest quick-service meal on offer, I decided to try the steak and chips priced at £17.50. This dish featured a prime cut of rump steak, grilled to order inside the food van, sliced into strips, and served on a generous portion of crispy steak fries, all topped with a rich peppercorn and mushroom sauce.
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Despite the wet and windy weather, I found shelter in the undercover food court. By the time I sat down, the sauce had melded perfectly with the steak and chips, enhancing the flavors without making the fries soggy.
Having never encountered steak and chips sold from a food van before, I was pleasantly surprised. The steak was cooked medium-rare with a tender, juicy center, and although modest in size, it was just the right portion. The lightly seasoned, crispy fries complemented the peppercorn sauce beautifully, and I savored every last bite, using the fries to mop up every bit of the flavorful sauce.
Drinks were an additional cost, with water priced at £2.60, soft drinks at £3, and tea or coffee ranging from £3.30 to £3.65. I opted out this time, focusing on the meal itself.
In comparison, other popular items include a 6oz prime beefburger for £10.45, a cheeseburger for £10.95, and a jumbo hot dog at £9.50, with chips sold separately for £5. The undercover food court also offers meal deals for around £15, typically including a main, chips, and a drink.
If you’re headed to Cheltenham Festival, especially on Gold Cup Day, don’t be deterred by food prices. The variety is good, the quality is better than expected, and the steak and chips come highly recommended for a satisfying race day meal.