having a cow : Ben Hodges

Ben Hodges is the guy behind the tasty, three-wheeled wonder, Hot Beef Tricycle you’ll find outside St Mary’s Abchurch near Cannon Street. If you’re there, you should go eat. It’ll warm you right up. He had a chat with Josh Jones.

Awright Ben, How are things?
Yes Josh, crazy busy at the moment, good busy though. Keeping myself entertained selling salt beef in Cannon Street, burgers at Secret Cinema and organizing Louis Vuitton birthday cakes for my wifey.

How did you get into the food stall business? Huh? HUH?
I have been running bars for the last couple of years and always looked to the other side of F & B with a bit of longing. I just like doing the simple things really well, which we sometimes struggle with in England. Selling liquor is good fun but I prefer the hours of the food world. Thinking up names for food stands is always fun too, I like Hot Beef Tricycle but my next venture “Sausage Paradise” is a personal favourite.

Why did you choose your spot near Cannon St?
I was really looking for a busy lunchtime spot in the city and Cannon Street is exactly that.

Why should people come to eat at your place?
Everyone should come to HBT as the salt beef is the best you will find in London – we use the same guys who supply Selfridges Brass Rail and Brick Lane Beigel Bake but ours is cooked in my own secret blend of spices and is obviously much better as it is made with love and care. I have never got any love at the Brick Lane beigel shop.

So I was thinking maybe you should rename it HAWT BEFF – what do you think of that?
I think Hawt Beff is a poo name, sorry man but it’s just lacking something and it reminds me of my mild dyslexia.

Yeah. You’re probably right. Tell me now, what are you up to with Secret Cinema?
As I am writing this the house is about to open for the first night of the new Secret Cinema production, which is gonna be carnage. I am once again late but it has been great chatting with you. Come down for a burger and some beers.

Photos: Tom Medwell