No Frills Thrills at the Warzone Collective
I've been looking forward to this meal for quite some time. Hearing Giro's / Warzone Cafe folklore prompted this interview from a few years ago with Petesy, one of the organisers. Got Veg? is well-acquainted with the group's foundations in Belfast's once fairly hostile environment. Now reincarnated, the anticipation is ripe to experience it first hand.
We are there mid-week for an early lunch and at half twelve there is the air of an abandoned recreation centre. Maybe Byker Grove. The brightly coloured tables certainly don't hamper this '90s nostalgia. And I'm mildly surprised that the cook/ kitchen attendant appears without Geoff's epic handlebar sideburns-tash.
I imagine the Warzone guys might not appreciate such talk of a kitschy aesthetic. They're Anarchists, yeah? Contending with capitalism must be a business for serious minds. It is a volunteer-run vegan cafe and it takes dedicated bunch to work not for the reward of smelly pennies but lofty ideals.
Belfast owes them a slap on the back. It's a real thrill to be able to eat well in the city centre for £2.50. That feels a bit '90s too, actually. Admittedly there are no frills but the chilli and vegan burger and chips are thoroughly tasty. It's a unique pleasure to cast off the ubiquitous trendiness of modern dining and opt for food with a conscience. Oh and there's a pool table too!