A FAREWELL TO GRUBBS

November 2025. Brighton

2 pints before 12.30, and no breakfast. Bad idea, right ?

Time for something healthy like a burger.

I could have popped in one of the North Laines GBG pubs for grub,

the Nelson or the multicoloured Albert,

but the two things you can’t legally miss out on a trip to Brighton are the Bowie art on Trafalgar Street,

and the “so bad for you they’re good” Grubbs burgers.

The original (and last) had just closed. Forever. Founder Tim died last year, and now it’s no more.

No more tropical burger with pineapple and peanut butter, no more of those magical chips after coming out of a beachfront gig at 11pm.

It’s not a scandal, it’s not something to start a campaign against, it’s just sad.

I just saw someone on the local Forums write “Yeah, 50 years, but was it really that good ?”.

Sir, it was the best.

Unknown's avatar

Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

19 thoughts on “A FAREWELL TO GRUBBS”

  1. Yes, I used the Lord Nelson and the Prince Albert too during September 2023.
    I am reminded of how Brighton has changed since a week camping there with school friends during the summer of 1974.

    Like

    Reply

  2. “A FAREWELL TO GRUBBS”

    (looks down)
    Sheesh! You weren’t kidding about the peanut butter.

    “the Nelson or the multicoloured Albert,”

    (looks down)
    Hmm, no comment.

    “The original (and last) had just closed. Forever. Founder Tim died last year, and now it’s no more.”

    I just looked them up. Institution indeed!

    “It’s not a scandal, it’s not something to start a campaign against, it’s just sad.”

    Sadly, you are correct, unfortunately.

    “Sir, it was the best.”

    Ok, now I’ll have to bug my wife to make a Grubbs-like burger, either the Malaysian or the Tropical ,to see how the peanut butter works. 😎

    Cheers

    Like

    Reply

  3. I’d imagine people in Brighton will be fondly remembering Grubbs for many years, in the same way Guildfordians get all wistfully nostalgic for Brett’s Burgers.

    I rather like the Lord Nelson, although I didn’t visit when I was down there a couple of weeks ago. Always a reliable gaff for Harvey’s Old this time of year, and they even have Mother-in-Law on the till!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. Nah, she’d fit IN the till.

        A Mother-in-Law is half and half of Old and Bitter. There’s probably a Sun reader somewhere to whom that would be the funniest thing ever.

        Like

      1. I do like a good independent burger joint. However, I must confess to a liking for a BK Bacon Double Cheeseburger. I know, I’m a bad person.

        Like

  4. What a shame that no-one could take on the burger place. The photo of The Prince Albert is brilliant. I have not been to Brighton for over 20 years. Didn’t like the naked men posing on the beach as you walked towards Asda. I had no warning about it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It was very much a small family business run on a shoestring, and probably not surprising the son didn’t want to take it on after his dad (the founder) died.

      I guess fish and chip shops will face similar challenges now a portion of cod and chips is well over a tenner in most places.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. You’re right, Paul. I wondered why I didn’t have better photos of the interior of the Swan. A combination of children (good though that is) and the lack of any real standout features.

        The Rights of Man is pretty inside though, from memory.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Martin, somehow I didn’t think much of the Rights of Man but considered the best pub to be the Dorset and their guy deserved to be in the National Gallery.

        Like

      3. As always Paul, I trust your judgement on these matters.

        Just looking back to my own visit the best part of a decade ago, I see I described it as a bit “Laura Ashley” and I think it was the Japanese pint drinker and the quality of the Sussex best I recall.

        Agree on the Dorset. I need a proper return to Lewes while we’re finally getting some belated use out of our caravan in Rye.

        By the by, I reminded Simon Everitt today that I must arrange to drive you both to High Offley when he finally visits the Anchor.

        Like

      5. Yes Martin, I’ve always liked Lewes. My recent visits were 2019 and 2023 with staying a couple of nights in Brighton. There’s much of Sussex and Kent I don’t know, so maybe I’ll get there next year.
        Simon couldn’t be disappointed by the Anchor. I rarely get there but twice in recent years I’ve found Stockport Peter there, which is quite a coincidence.

        Like

Leave a comment