Ernie's Steakhouse: The Roadside Burger Van on the A26 That's Become a Local Institution

Pull into the lay-by behind The Alders on the A26 at Mereworth and you'll find Ernie's Steakhouse - not a restaurant at all, but a gourmet burger van that's become one of West Kent's best-kept, least-secret secrets. With a 4.8-star rating from 121 Google reviews, it's exactly the kind of place that deserves more than just a passing glance out of the car window.

Despite the name, Ernie's isn't a sit-down steakhouse - it's a catering van serving gourmet steak burgers, breakfast baguettes, rolls, sandwiches and wraps, built around meat from local butchers and bread from a local bakery. The popular menu includes an 8oz steak burger and a Monterey Jack cheese burger, alongside breakfast options for the early starters and commuters who pass by on the A26. A meal works out at roughly £10-£20 a head.

The reviews read like a love letter to proper roadside food. Kevin wrote: "We didn't expect to find such flavorful food on the side of the road, but OMG the 8oz burger was sooo juicy and the bun was perfect! This was by far the absolute best burger I've had since I moved to the UK." Dave said: "What a find! You can tell they have decades of experience! So clean and tidy, and the burgers were amazing!" - to which the owner replied simply, "Thank you so much!". Another reviewer called it "a wonderful little find... gourmet burgers on the roadside, you say? Then look no further. Great food, great company!" One recent visitor summed it up: "Must visit if you're passing by or local - I had the chicken and bacon wrap with bbq and mayo."

It's easy to drive straight past a place like this - no shopfront, no sign-written restaurant, just a van in a lay-by. But small independent businesses like Ernie's, run on good ingredients, fair prices and genuine care, are exactly the kind of local spot worth celebrating. Source: Ernie's Steakhouse on Facebook