Eats

The Salford takeaway sensation that’s been named one of the best burgers in Britain

'It’s completely overwhelming.'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 20th November 2023

A Greater Manchester takeaway has just been crowned with having one of the best burgers in Britain, placing in an impressive seventh place.

Burgerism, which started life in Salford and now has sites in Gatley and Manchester too, said it was ‘unbelievably proud’ to receive the accolade.

The local business placed seventh in The Times’ Top 10 Burgers in Britain list, beaten by some massive names like Shake Shack, Patty & Bun, and MeatLiquor.

Burgerism even managed to place one above Hawksmoor, the steak restaurant that’s also famed for its burgers, with which it recently collaborated on a special menu.

Burgerism said it was ‘completely overwhelming’ to have been placed so highly on the list, which was voted on by some of the country’s top chefs.

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They wrote on Instagram: “We are unbelievably proud, humbled and grateful to have been named in @thetimes Top 10 burgers in Britain, as voted for by some of the country’s top chefs, coming in at number seven!

“To think of where we started from just a few short years ago as a solitary shack in Salford to our meal deal ranking as Deliveroo’s most popular dish in Manchester and now to have top chefs singing our praises and naming us one of the best burgers in the country.

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Burgerism in Greater Manchester has been named the seventh best burger in Britain
Burgerism in Greater Manchester has been named the seventh best burger in Britain. Credit: The Manc Group
Burgerism in Greater Manchester has been named the seventh best burger in Britain. Credit: The Manc Group
Burgerism in Greater Manchester has been named the seventh best burger in Britain. Credit: The Manc Group

“It’s completely overwhelming and a testament to all of our wonderful team who serve countless burgers up expertly every day, never allowing our quality to dip even when they’re absolutely rammed with orders.

“Every one of them deserves all the praise in the world for getting us to this point. And obviously, you lot, our loyal customers who have come from all over the country, sometimes driving hours just to pick up a few meal deals and scranning them down in your car in the pouring Mancunian rain.

“Where would we be without you? Your support will always mean the world to us and we love serving you all.

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“Here’s to cracking that top five next time.”

Burgerism first launched in 2018, quietly setting the standard for dark kitchens way before the pandemic made them so popular.

At times, it had queues outside its original Salford site churning out thousands of its popular smashed patty burgers a day.

Burgerism’s meal deal was also named the most popular dish in the city by Deliveroo.

Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Huge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signs

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Huge bakery chain Gail's confirms move to Prestwich - but spells village's name wrong in signage

After months of swirling rumours, bakery group Gail’s has finally confirmed it’s moving to Prestwich – but locals have spotted a glaring error at the first hurdle.

The popular artisan bakery will be moving onto Bury New Road, right in the heart of the suburb and directly opposite the new Rudy’s pizzeria.

Prestwich locals have been hearing whispers of a Gail’s arriving for a few months, and finally the London-founded cafe has stuck up signs to confirm it’s on the way.

But the sign contains one crucial mistake – it’s spelled Prestwich wrong.

The red window displays now read ‘Hello Preswich. We’ll be baking here soon’.

One local messaged Gail’s to point out the error and to say it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.

Gail’s has since confirmed it’s in the process of fixing the signs.

The arrival of both Gail’s and Rudy’s has already caused a stir in Prestwich, which has always been fiercely independent and has only a handful of chains within it (Greggs and Costa are perched by the tram stop).

In fact, one local business-owner shared a moving statement about his concerns for the future of local businesses just a few weeks ago.

Gail's has confirmed it's opening a bakery in Prestwich
Gail's has confirmed it's opening a bakery in Prestwich
Gail’s has confirmed it’s opening a bakery in Prestwich. Credit: The Manc Group

First formed in the early 1990s as a wholesale-only operation, Gail’s opened its first cafe on Hampstead High Street in 2005.

Today the brand has more than 100 sites spread across London, Oxford, Brighton and further afield, and is known more as a customer-facing cafe and bakery.

It’s famed for its freshly-baked loaves, cinnamon buns, ham and cheese croissants and coffees, and is likely to go down a storm in Prestwich.

But the signs have been causing a bit of a stir in the wrong way this weekend – in a local Facebook group, one person commented: “Not locals who own it then.”

Another described it as an ‘epic fail’.

And one person said: “Oh the DRAMA of it all.”

Someone else joked: “I cannot wait for Gais to come to Preswich.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Eats

Hot Blobs – Retro drink makes return to Manchester Christmas Markets, but what is it?

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Hot Blobs - Retro drink makes return to Manchester Christmas Markets, but what is it?Hot Blobs - Retro drink makes return to Manchester Christmas Markets, but what is it?

It’s funny how we all turn a blind eye to the temperature outside when it comes to the Christmas Markets.

At a time of year where should probably all be hibernating inside, droves of us instead head out to brave the elements all in the name of the festivities.

Of course, the Manchester Christmas Markets sell all sorts of wares to take the edge off, and we’re not just talking about the stalls selling woollen mittens everywhere.

Our favourite winter warmers tend to take the form of a tray of piping hot garlic potatoes, or a mug of hot chocolate, or another boozy beverage that’s massively underrated.

The drink in question is a Hot Blob, which is listed on the menu at the Piccadilly Gardens markets as ‘legendary’.

A bold claim, but a lot of long-time Manc residents will understand why.

The Hot Blob is a jaw-clenchingly sweet concoction served piping hot at the Manchester Christmas Market, similar to a hot toddy.

It’s made with Australian fortified white wine, lemon, sugar, and boiling water.

Hot Blobs - Retro drink makes return to Manchester Christmas Markets, but what is it?
Hot Blobs - Retro drink makes return to Manchester Christmas Markets, but what is it?
Hot Blobs – Retro drink makes return to Manchester Christmas Markets, but what is it? Credit: The Manc Group

The drink was first invented by Yates, that well-known pub chain, which started life as Yates’s Wine Lodge up the road in Oldham.

According to Pubs of Manchester, the Hot Blob has a tendency to ‘speed up drunkenness to a young drinker’.

These days, it’s pretty rare to come across one on a menu, but back in 1990s it was a staple in a few pubs around town.

There even used to be a ‘Blob Shop’ on High Street, run by local legend Ged Ford (now in charge of the equally legendary Millstone pub), which found itself in a state of utter carnage when the IRA bomb went off.

The long-lost institution specialised in ‘cheap wine, cheap beer, and plenty of blobs’.

The old Yates Blob Shop on High Street, Manchester. Credit: deltrems@flickr

Ged sold 6,000 a week.

And while the drink may have fallen out of favour since then, there are still healthy numbers being sold at this time of year, even if they are a damn sight more expensive than they were in the 1990s (£6 a pop, plus a glass deposit).

Anyway. If you’re sick to the back teeth of the endless gluhwein being peddled across the markets, make a beeline for Manchester Winter Ale House at Piccadilly Gardens, where you can find Hot Blobs as well as boozy Vimto and cask ales.

The Manchester Christmas Markets officially end on 22 December.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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