A butchers in Bolton can now lay claim to the title of ‘best burger in Britain’, at least according to an annual nationwide craft butchery awards ceremony.
Pies, comedy, arguably the best ‘kebabs’ in the world and now burgers – Bolton really is a Northerner’s dream, isn’t it?
Taking home not just one but two Diamond awards in two different categories at the 2025 Smithfield Awards where the best of British butchery is put on show each year, Fraser’s Butchers in the suburb of Great Lever got the top nod from the top dogs in the world of meat and more.
Already beloved by locals and multi-award-winning by various regional and national bodies, it doesn’t come as that much of a surprise but Boltonians are nonetheless buzzing for their go-to butchers.
Proud as pork—I mean, punch* (Credit: Supplied)
As mentioned, it wasn’t actually just one particular type of patty that Fraser’s were praised for: the butchers, which has been open since 2003 and is famed for its fresh farm produce, won two prestigious national awards for its ‘Mega Burger’ as well as their Minted Lamb and Halloumi Kebab.
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The highly-celebrated Bolton brand’s Diamond double was announced at the Butchers’ Hall in London back at the end of February, beating out nine other artisan butchers from across the UK to be crowned top of their class.
Organised by the Q Guild of Butchers, the awards which have run for more than three decades judge the UK’s finest craft butchery products including sausages, bacon, burgers, steak, game products, BBQ products and more.
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Winning in both the Burger and BBQ categories, respectively – in what is widely recognised as the meat trade’s most high-profile and challenging product evaluation – it’s a big accolade in the butchery world.
Fraser’s is the most highly-rated butchers in Bolton.You’re looking at the best burger in Britain.Credit: Fraser’s Butchers (via Facebook)
Products are awarded a Bronze, Silver or Gold award by a panel of independent judges, with all Gold products in each category then pitched against each for the category champion Diamond Award.
Scoring full marks from the Q Guild representatives, Fraser’s popular Minted Lamb and Halloumi Kebab was described by judges as a simply “excellent product.”
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As for the ‘Mega Burger’ itself, it scored an impressive 67 points out of a possible 70, with judges noting that it “looks and feels premium and has a lovely blend of flavour.” But the props don’t stop there either.
The butcher also made the final shortlist in the Hot Eating Pie category with its Roast Chicken and Gravy Pie and its Meat and Potato Pie, the Bacon category with its Home-Cured Streaky Bacon; the Al Fresco Dining category with its Pork Pie and the Best Butchers Steak category for its Black Garlic Ribeye – with all five receiving Gold award status.
Fraser’s was also awarded silver status for its Traditional Pork Sausage. Basically, they’re bloody good.
Andy Hull from Fraser’s said: “The ethos of our shop is quality. We start with good quality meat and our butchers work together to make a fantastic quality product whatever it is we do. The Mega Burger is definitely our bestselling burger and we’re very proud of it.
Our Minted Lamb and Halloumi Kebab is another product where we start with good quality ingredients. It’s testament to the BBQ products that we make as we sell them all year round including Christmas week and we never take them out of the counter!
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People travel from all over the NW and Greater Manchester to shop with us because they know they’ll get excellent quality meat.”
Gordon Wallace from Q Guild added: “The standard of entries this year was as high as ever, making Fraser’s achievement even more impressive. Being crowned best in class in two categories, along with securing five additional Gold awards, is a fantastic accomplishment.”
Be right back, we’re just making a quick trip to 272 Rishton Lane…
Stunning Ancoats favourite Street Urchin closes after ‘heartbreaking’ health emergency
Danny Jones
The stunning Ancoats restaurant and Manchester favourite, Street Urchin, has announced its sudden closure following a serious health emergency.
Opened by partners Kevin and Rachel Choudhary back in 2019, the inventive dining room has been a firm favourite among local foodies and those visiting Manchester for some time.
However, following the awful news that co-founder and head chef Kevin has recently suffered a heart attack, the city centre food spot has sadly had to close its doors, seemingly for good.
Informing diners and longtime fans online, Rachel confirmed, “We are unable to continue as a business”, adding that they are simply “heartbroken” by the turns of events.
Known for endless creativity and famous experimental dishes over the years, including a viral squirrel dish, Street Urchin has been one of the most envelope-pushing kitchens in the area for some time.
Writing in the caption, Rachel said: Thank you to our amazing team who supported us over all the years and continued to do so in these dark times. Thank you also to our suppliers, we never thought this would happen. We’re so sorry x”
Reacting to the news, local artist Painted By Courtney replied: “This is so sad, I’m so sorry to you both. Forever one of my favourite dining experiences in Manchester.”
Various names from across the Greater Manchester hospitality scene, including the likes of Tameside’s Cafe Continental, have joined in sharing their sadness and heartfelt support, with the Stalybridge spot simply adding: “Sending love. A remarkable place!”
Their menus boasted all the style, quality and flavour of a fine dining establishment without any of the haute cuisine pomp and traditional culinary trappings.
Put simply, they delivered great food served in an efficient market diner fashion. We, along with countless other Greater Mancunian foodies, absolutely loved this place.
It goes without saying that everyone at The Manc Group is shocked and deeply saddened to hear this news; we hope Kev makes a full and fast recovery, and our thoughts are with his friends and family during this difficult time.
A new ‘Mexicali’ food concept is the latest vendor confirmed for the upcoming House of Social food hall
Danny Jones
A brand-new California-inspired Mexican food concept from some familiar foodie favourites is the latest name to be announced as part of Manchester’s newest food hall, House of Social.
The ‘Mexicali’ creation is called OK Taqueria and is set to join the soon-to-open vendor space over on Coleman Street in Manchester city centre, becoming just the third kitchen confirmed for House of Social.
Set to welcome five in total, the upcoming food hall marks just the latest step in the continuing foodie trend, with long-standing staples like Mackie Mayor now just one of many across Greater Manchester.
The description of the food is simple but exciting: “A love letter to Mexican street food — deeply Mexican, unapologetically Californian, proudly un-autentico.”
Credit: Press Shots
House of Social‘s (HoS impending Mexican and Californian fusion comes from the team behind fellow Manc icons Gooey and Evelyn’s, which is already a strong enough advert in itself.
There are plenty more brains behind this new concept, including Public and ‘gem of the Curry Mile’, Mughli, who will also be opening inside HoS – just their second-ever site and first in the city centre.
Inspired by taquerias “from Baja to Boyle Heights”, OK Taqueria will blend Mexican street food staples with California’s own laid-back slant on the cuisine.
As mentioned, OK Taqueria is set to join the already announced Burger & Beyond, as well as ‘gem of the Curry Mile’, Mughli – which will be opening their second-ever site and first in the city centre – the lineup of traders is already looking stacked with lip-smacking talent.
As for OK Taqueria, you can expect corn tortillas, warm off the press, stacked with crispy pork belly al pastor; tinga chicken with chipotle sour cream, vegan chicken-fried maitake mushrooms, and queso birria beef shin ready to dip in a deeply flavoured consommé. That’s just the tip of the sp-iceberg.
That’s a terrible pun, so sorry…
Fish fans can get stuck into Baja-style cod cheek with crema, and there’ll also be a fiery twist on Cali-style breakfast burritos.
The brand is positioning this as “street food energy with sit-down flavour; fast and flavour-first”. They’ll also cater to the in-house students inside the tower block, sharing as well as the bar side of things, with plenty of margaritas to sip on.
Danny Jones -
10th March 2025 
