The beloved BBQ gem of Oldham has delighted its fans and loyal customers this week by announcing it is to reopen for takeaway.
Hugely popular Chadderton ranch The Old School BBQ Bus has achieved well-deserved regional fame from its humble beginnings of trading on a car park in Failsworth back in 2016, before opening on a permanent site in January 2018 and becoming the UK’s first outdoor BBQ street food eatery.
It’s since become known and loved by Greater Manchester locals for its fantastic freshly-cooked food, live music and country entertainment.
But sadly, due to ongoing restrictions and England’s third national lockdown – and even despite being an outdoor covered venue – The Old School BBQ Bus’ famous smoking pit has been forced to close its premises to the public for a large chunk of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The ranch had instead been running a successful collection and takeaway service instead, allowing customers to chow-down on their signature slow-cooked grub from the comfort of their own home.
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And now, following a closure over the festive period and a series subsequent delays due to maintenance work and cold weather, the owners have confirmed that they are back open for collection from this weekend.
With a menu chocked full of Smoke Shack Sharer specials, a wide range of burgers, nachos, hot dogs, pizzas, salads, sides and even a dedicated selection of kids food, there’s lots to choose from if you fancy getting stuck in this weekend.
Unfortunately though, due to current government trading restrictions for takeaway businesses, the ranch’s popular cocktail boxes and alcohol line-up will not be on the menu for the foreseeable, but a range of hard milkshakes will still be available.
Other soft drinks are also available.
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The Old School BBQ Bus will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm – 8pm.
You can find the full menu and place your orders for collection via The Old School BBQ Bus’ website here, via Appaway here, or on Facebook.
Drake-backed Dave’s Hot Chicken is opening in the Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
The cult LA-born fried chicken brand backed by Drake is expanding in Manchester once again, this time with a brand-new site at the Trafford Centre.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open its latest location inside the huge shopping centre, bringing its signature Nashville-style heat to The Orient food hall.
Already causing a stir with its first Manchester site at the Printworks, the fast-growing US chain has built a reputation for long queues and a chicken spice level so extreme you have to sign a waiver to eat it (The Reaper is not for the faint of heart).
And now hoardings have appeared at the bottom of The Orient at The Trafford Centre, joining Five Guys, Shake Shack, and Slim Chickens.
The new Trafford Centre restaurant is expected to follow the same winning formula, serving up its famous hot chicken tenders and sliders, available in seven spice levels and served on a slice of bread to soak up all the spice levels.
Fans can also expect a menu packed with loaded fries, creamy mac and cheese, kale slaw, and indulgent top-loaded shakes, alongside refreshing slushers to cool things down after the heat kicks in.
Born in a Los Angeles car park back in 2017, Dave’s Hot Chicken has exploded in popularity in recent years, with Drake becoming a high-profile investor as the brand rapidly expanded across the US and into the UK.
The Trafford Centre opening marks another major step in the brand’s UK growth, following successful launches in London, Birmingham, and Manchester city centre, and signals that the fried chicken heavyweight is only just getting started.
If the scenes at previous openings are anything to go by, Mancunians can expect queues, hype, and plenty of spice when the doors finally open.
Popular Manchester brunch spot Bruncho teases what’s to come with new Northern Quarter cafe
Daisy Jackson
Bruncho has shared a glimpse of what’s to come when it officially opens the doors to its new Northern Quarter cafe.
The brunch spot has had queues down the street since launching on Deansgate, with enough popularity to warrant it opening a second location.
Bruncho is moving into the old Feel Good Club, a huge unit in Hilton House that’s been left empty since the cafe’s shock closure.
And as the clock ticks down to Bruncho’s launch into the Northern Quarter, they’ve shared an exclusive look inside at their very big plans.
The team have now confirmed that the new venue will have a salad bar and vegetarian buffet, as well as coffee raves with DJs at select hours.
New CGIs of the space also show a drastic change from the site’s days as Feel Good Club, filling the giant cafe with wooden tables, hanging pendant lights, plants, and soft textures.
Bruncho is known for its brunch dishes that have a real knack for going viral on social media, including New York-style breakfast rolls in croissant bread; fresh coconut water and matcha served in the coconut; and its absolutely stacked French toasts.
A glimpse inside Bruncho Northern QuarterBruncho will have a vegetarian buffet when it opens in the Northern QuarterHow Bruncho Northern Quarter will look
It’s consistently packed out at its original location on Deansgate, and now it’s taking over a 4,378 sq ft unit in the Northern Quarter too, set to open this June.
Omer Umut Mutlu, owner of Bruncho, said: “Manchester has shown Bruncho so much love, and expanding into the Northern Quarter feels like the natural next step for us.
“Hilton House gives us the space to elevate what we do – more covers, more events, and a new home for the kind of food and atmosphere people will make the journey for.
“We’re excited to bring something fresh to the neighbourhood, with the opening scheduled for June 2026.”
Emily Sergeant -
19th February 2021 
