An employment job centre isn’t usually somewhere I’d consider spending an evening, but Deptford’s Job Centre isn’t exactly what you’d expect. Having been turned into a quirky relaxed bar, it now attracts a whole host of people, not just those who are on benefits or looking for a job. Every Thursday to Saturday evenings, Kitchen Hijack takes over with a mouth-watering selection of street foods from some of London’s best pop-up vendors.
As soon as I heard about this place from Kasha I knew it was somewhere I just had to try out. Street food and cocktails in a quirky bar? It sounded like my perfect place to spend an evening!
Inside, the bar is huge and spacious with a random mix of tables and vintage chairs dotted around and an open area next to the bar for people to bust out some dance moves once the DJ gets going on the vinyl records. There’s still even a jobs board full of notices where you can leave business cards and ads. So when your other half asks where you are on a Friday night, you can legitimately say you were looking for jobs at the Job Centre. Just don’t blame me if you end up having too many drinks and giving the game away! 
My eyes soon found the cocktail list hanging on a chalkboard above the bar which I was happy to work my way through. The Night Shade (blackcurrant and prosecco), although deliciously sweet and bubbly, felt far too sophisticated to be drinking in a place as quirky and hip as this, but my favourite was the fruity and refreshing summer cocktail, the Blueberry Mojito, which I could have sipped on all night.
We visited here on a Friday night, on what was supposed to be the last weekend of the Kitchen Hijack and lucky for us The Cheese Truck was in town. (Well, not the actual truck because getting a truck inside a bar may have proved slightly tricky.)
We couldn’t resist the tantalising menu options so we ordered our grilled cheese sandwiches straight away. I went for the Queso Chihuahua Cheese with spicy chorizo and rocket sandwiched between two thick slices of toasted bread, all topped with melted cheese oozing out from the centre. Alex went for the Cropwell Bishop Stilton with sweet-cure bacon and pear chutney all topped, of course, with more oozing melted cheese.
The portion of fondue fries we ordered to share didn’t come with all the mouth-watering toppings that it was supposed to (they seemed to run out of this quite early on in the night so was clearly a popular item on the menu) but they were still deliciously salty and flavoursome.
I wasn’t expecting the food to blow me away because, let’s face it, a cheese toastie isn’t exactly the most amazing of English delicacies, but this really was the best toastie I have ever had. Alex liked his so much that he looked mighty angry when I asked if I could try a bite!
Due to the popularity, Kitchen Hijack is now a permanent feature at The Job Centre with plenty more street food vendors planned for the coming weeks so get down there to try it out yourself. We’ll definitely be going back!
Hooray, I’m so glad you loved it too! I need more of those blueberry mojitos in my life!
That cheese toastie sounds (and LOOKS) divine! I’m so happy that the Kitchen Hijack is a permanent feature now – can a double date be on the cards, please?
It’s a sunny day, a blueberry mojito would go down a treat right now!
Yes please! A double date sounds like a brilliant idea 🙂
What a phenomenal idea. Mix something depressing (looking for a job) with something amazing (great food and drinks). And who doesn’t love toasties?! This would be my way to look for a job!
Such a fun place! Although I’m pretty sure no one would ever even actually think of looking for a job here. Far too interested in the cocktails and food!
Yes, drinking and eating or job searching? I think most would go to the fun as well!
All job centres should be like this! Read this, now I know what I’m having for lunch! 😉
Ooh I may have to taste one of your toasties so I can compare 😉
Unfortunately, I don’t have a grill (or a toaster), I so didn’t think that through! Just a cheese sandwich then!
Bahahaha oh Rachel!!
I had one yummy one today in a cafe in Settle, Yorkshire! Still in my head, hahahaha!
This place is awesome!!! So Creative!
I have to stop by when I go to London 😀
It’s a really cool place! If it was a bit closer to my home it would definitely be a regular stop for me 🙂
hahaha oh my, see the positive side… this way you don’t go everyday 😀
Hmmm… such a great little place to try new food! Well done for finding it. Men really don’t like to share their food do they…
To be honest I don’t usually like sharing my food either but when the food is this good it’s only fair to try a bit of each others 😉
I love quirky, unexpected places like this! London does pop-ups and creative food ventures so well. It’s one of the things I miss the most.
Polly xx
Follow Your Sunshine
So many fabulous pop up places in London! You’ll have to make a list of all these great places for the next time you’re back 🙂
Ok this post has totally rubbed my nose I’m it for not being able to join you guys that night! But now it’s a permanent feature, we can rectify that 😀 cheese toasties sound so good – I can’t even pick between you and Alex ‘ s nevermind the rest of the menu!
We can definitely rectify that and I’m so glad they’re made it a permanent thing! They have loads more delicious sounding street food vendors planned too 🙂
I do love a quirky bar and that cheese toastie looks incredible! Alex seems to be guarding his closely 😉
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
It was so good Suze! He tried guarding it but it nothing gets in the way of me and good food! 😉
I love this! Really shouldn’t have read it before lunch though – that toastie sounds amazing!
The toastie was so amazing Emily! If The Cheese Truck goes back to the Job Centre again I will definitely be making a return visit 🙂
The two drinks you had sound just my sort of thing. And as for the toasties, I nearly licked the screen! I clearly need to visit this place!
Haha I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets as excited about food! You’d love it Char, give it a try next time you’re this way 🙂
looks like an awesome looking place
It was great fun!