Fancy Hanks York: A Letdown Experience

Author:

Published:

Updated:

Fancy Hanks York entrance

Discovering York earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this website. Thank you!

Located on Goodramgate, Fancy Hank’s Bar & Kitchen gives us a taste of America’s Deep South right here in the York, With its motto of “good mood food” and a vibrant atmosphere.

Unfortunately, my experience left me very far from a “good mood” and here’s why!

My First Impressions of Fancy Hanks

Fancy Hanks York inside

Upon arriving at the restaurant, the exterior of Fancy Hank’s gave a welcoming charm, using bright colours such as yellow, which definitely turns head of anyone passing.

Stepping inside, the interior offers a balance between retro chic and modern comfort.

Soft lighting, comfortable seating, and eye-catching decorations create a relaxed space to be. 

@discovering.york Fancy Hanks – York From Birria Mac and Cheese to Buffalo Shredded Chicken Loaded Tots 😳 😋 #york #yorkshire #fyp #fypageシ #thingstosee #thingstodo #placestovisit #placestogo #placestovisityork #food #foodie #foodtok #fancyhanks #fancyhanksyork ♬ Ordinary – Alex Warren

My Experience At Fancy Hanks York

Fancy Hanks York drinks

From the moment I entered, the staff’s warmth and attentiveness stood out. Their friendly demeanor and genuine enthusiasm set a positive tone for the experience.

We were asked if we had a reservation, and like any sensible diner in York on a Saturday, we did.

However, looking around, it seemed unnecessary since the restaurant was nearly empty. Aside from us, there was only one other table occupied during lunch.

We were seated in the middle of the restaurant, surrounded by vacant tables, and when I requested to move, I was told it wasn’t possible because all the tables were booked.

In my opinion, the lack of diners didn’t help, and the restaurant’s ambiance clashed with its style, especially with songs like “Death Bed” playing.

My Food At Fancy Hanks York

Fancy Hanks York food

The menu at Fancy Hank’s showcases Southern American cuisine, featuring dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, and fried chicken. 

Fancy Hanks York food

I ordered a Small Birria Beef Mac and Cheese and a side of Buffalo Shredded Chicken Loaded Tots, My Partner ordered the Buttermilk Chicken Tenders.

  • Birria Beef Mac and Cheese – Slow Cooked Pulled Beef with a Spicy Birria Sauce. The slow-cooked beef was very flavorful, generously topping the mac and cheese. However, the mac and cheese itself was watery, resembling a low-quality sauce.
  • Buffalo Shredded Chicken – Melted Cheese Sauce, Shredded Chicken Buffalo Sauce with Ranch & Crispy Bacon. “Shredded” was an understatement; the chicken, already mixed with buffalo sauce, resembled more of a paste than a topping. The combination of ranch, buffalo, and cheese was enjoyable combinding rich american flavours, but the portion size was surprisingly small, especially considering it was priced similarly to some main dishes.
  • Buttermilk Chicken Tenders – 4 Chicken Tenders with Fries, Slaw and Southern Gravy. The coating on the chicken was crispy and thin, which was enjoyable, but the seasoning was underwhelming, resulting in bland chicken. The gravy was thick and quite peppery, delivering a southern flavor as advertised, but it needed more depth. The fries were overcooked and hollow.

How Much Did Fancy Hanks Cost?

Fancy Hanks York dish

A meal for 2 at Fancy Hanks York Cost £41.00 with a 10% Service charge. Total coming to £45.10.

This includes 2 soft drinks (Peach Iced Tea and Cream Soda), 1 Main Dish, 1 Small Dish and Side.

For the quality and portion sizes at Fancy Hanks i definitely don’t think it is worth how much we paid.

Where We Parked?

There are many places near Fancy Hanks to park, such as Monkbar Mews Public Car ParkYork: a 4-minute walk, Foss bank car park: a 5-minute walk and Monk Bar Car Park: a 5-minute walk.

I Personally park at Foss Bank Car Park. Always plenty of spaces, cheaper compared to come competitors and a short distance walk into the city centre.

Map & Info

📞 Contact Number: 01904 655068

📍 Adress: 39 Goodramgate, York YO1 7LS

🔗 Website: https://www.fancyhanks.co.uk/

Fancy Hanks York menu

Overall Experience

My experience at the restaurant left me feeling disappointed, and I don’t think I’ll be returning.

While the slow-cooked beef had great flavor and the chicken tenders had a nice crispy coating, the lack of seasoning on the chicken and the watery mac and cheese really detracted from the meal. I believe the ambiance felt off, with empty tables around us and music choices that didn’t quite match the setting.

The portion sizes were surprisingly small for the price, especially when compared to other main dishes. While I appreciate the effort put into the dishes, the overall experience didn’t meet my expectations.

About the author

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Posts

  • Hickory’s Smokehouse York Doggy Brunch Club: Emmie’s Visit

    Hickory’s Smokehouse York Doggy Brunch Club: Emmie’s Visit

    Myself and Emmie (My furry best friend), got invited to the New Hickory’s Smokehouse York Doggy Brunch Club on Saturday 26th September 2026. She came close to wearing out the carpet with excitement before we’d even left the house. The club turned out to be a relaxed, well-organised morning built around a riverside walk, treats,…

    Read more →

  • NFL Sunday at Hickory’s Smokehouse York: Launch Night

    NFL Sunday at Hickory’s Smokehouse York: Launch Night

    American muscle in the car park, Smokehouse aromas in the air, and live football on every screen. Hickory’s Smokehouse York kicked off the 2026/2027 NFL season in style, turning its bar into the ultimate game-day hub. Every Sunday from 6pm, Hickory’s screens show every match across multiple screens alongside non-stop RedZone coverage. Here is what…

    Read more →

  • Love at First Slice: Falling for The Hop York

    Love at First Slice: Falling for The Hop York

    If you ever find yourself walking around the centre of York looking for somewhere relaxed to eat and drink, a great place to take a trip to is The Hop York on Fossgates. We’d heard stories about their amazing pizzas, so we had to go check it out! My First Impressions of The Hop York…

    Read more →