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Aspiring cowboys and cowgirls living in the southeast of the UK have the privilege of dining as if they were in the Wild West. This is possible thanks to a concept created in 1995 when the charming town of Horsham hosted a restaurant serving American cuisine – Smith and Western.
The Chichester branch of this restaurant opened in 1998, and residents were invited to a hoedown. The advert for the Chichester branch was then created, which confirmed the location of Chichester’s Smith and Western, revealing it to be an old rail shed. In the new millennium, Smith and Western officially announced cocktails for all diners, including Virgin Coolers for those not drinking.
In the two following decades, Smith and Western branched out further by expanding their Wild West community. This includes Royal Tunbridge Wells, Addlestone, and New Horsham, the latest location for Smith and Western, which opened in 2021.
So, is Smith and Western offering American authenticity in its cuisine? I find this out with some friends by visiting its Chichester branch and becoming absorbed by its rail shed.
Upon entering the restaurant, the interior makes me feel like I am in cowboy gear in an old saloon bar. Distant western banjos play in the background as a food runner guides me and my friends to a table near the open kitchen. I am immediately hit in the face with the aroma of traditional American dishes wafting from the kitchen into the restaurant.
I browse through the many pages that form Smith and Western’s food and drinks menu. Pages of appetisers, main courses (split into different sections), desserts, and drinks are viewable before me, and immediately, I am befuddled as to what to order. Whether I stick to the traditional American theme or stray into the ‘Break for the Border’ section (featuring Mexican and South American dishes) is the decision I am faced with.
I order a Virgin Mojito from the ‘Sober Cowboys’ section of the drinks menu, given that I do not currently desire alcohol, especially Margaritas. I then begin swaying towards the starter of Smith and Western’s proclaimed famous Nacho Platter, given that I am also with a group of friends to share this with. I also notice their new BBQ Brisket Burrito, which I am tempted to try.
I place these orders with my food runner and slurp on my classic Virgin Mojito, feeling refreshed by its mint and lime flavours. The decoration of this mocktail gives an impression of how it would be made in the Caribbean. Two straws accompany the mojito so I can continue to slurp on it satisfyingly.
The Nacho Platter then arrives at the table, and two of my friends willingly volunteer to pitch in to tackle as much of it as possible. There was, after all, enough for three hungry cowboys and cowgirls. The nachos are piled high and topped with sliced red chillies, with the addition of a whole green chilli and a tray of salsa, guacamole and sour cream dips. Melted cheese cascades over the nachos to finish off what looks like a satisfying pile of nachos.
The nachos have a satisfying crunch and become fierier when mixed with the red chillies. The salsa and guacamole add more flavour when dipping the nachos into it. For some light relief, the sour cream is on standby should I feel my palette overindulging on the heat provided by the chillies. The melted cheese is very stringy and dulls the crunchiness of the nachos buried under it, and it also proved to be very filling. Knowing I have a burrito coming up, I decide to end my consumption of these nachos ready for the main course.
Our food runner cleared our plates while I ordered another Virgin Mojito to extend the refreshing feeling that had overcome me previously. The main courses, including my BBQ Brisket Burrito, are served a few minutes later at our table. I am presented with the burrito on a bed of Mexican rice, garnished with freshly sliced red chillies, a wedge of lime and another green chilli. It is served with more nachos, complete with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
The tortilla surrounding everything inside is very light, and I tear away using my cutlery to reveal the peppers, onions, Mexican beans, and BBQ brisket inside. The first bite immediately opens a fresh, hot haven for my palette. The freshness from the bell peppers, onions and Mexican beans powers through, the flavours of which are heightened by the BBQ smokiness of the pulled brisket.
The Mexican rice is fluffy and imitates a slightly more luxurious version of spicy rice found in a Nando’s. It also adds to the overall heat of the dish itself, as does bravely sampling a fraction of the green chilli provided. The nachos are similar to the Nacho Platter in terms of crunch and are once again pepped up by the salsa and guacamole, with the cool relief coming from the sour cream.
Halfway through consuming this Mexican meal, I understand how filling the burrito is. I glance at the salad one of my friends is having and how much lighter that looks.
Eventually, I give in to consuming the burrito further, saddened that I cannot continue to devour it. I then finish the remainder of my Virgin Mojito before assisting with settling the bill. I pay around £45 for my Wild West dining experience, which is understandably more than their £15 lunch offer. I am still grateful, however, that I ordered from their main menu instead of limiting my options for a cuisine such as this.
With the bill settled, my friends depart to travel back to modern-day Chichester, where we find ourselves again outside the rail shed next to Chichester railway station. Smith and Western’s American cuisine does live up to expectations regarding its authenticity and atmosphere when dining. Those in the southeast of the UK are lucky to have this portal to step back in time and eat like a true Wild West citizen.
Smith and Western, Station Approach, Chichester PO19 8DN
Food Prices
Lunch Offer - £15.00-£22.00 (Served from 12:00-16:00 Monday to Friday, except bank holidays)
Appetisers - £7.85-£23.95
House Burger - £17.95-£22.95 (Upgrades, swaps and double-ups available)
From the Grill - £23.95-£39.95
Break for the Border- £15.45-£24.95
House Classics- £16.75-£22.45
On the Side - £0.95-£9.45
Kids Menu - £2.55-£12.95
Drink Prices
Hand Crafted Cocktails - £9.95-£39.95 (Free Margarita for diners every Monday)
Sundown Happy Hour - £9.95-£10.25 (£14 for two cocktails, Monday to Friday between 17:00-19:00)
Sober Cowboys - £5.95-£6.45
Ice Cold Beers - £3.00-£59.45
Wine - £6.75-£44.95
Sodas & Shakes - £2.55-£6.45
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