Just when you think Greater Manchester has nailed the modern-day takeaway, along comes a new contender – and this time, they brought French tacos.
You’ll find French Taco’o down on Chapel Street, not far past Salford Central and the People’s History Museum.
You’ll also find a fast food dish so weighty Ryanair would probably charge you extra just to carry it onto the plane.
This is the home of the French taco, otherwise known as matelas, which translates as ‘mattress’.
What you’re essentially looking as is what you’d get if you mixed together a gyros, a doner kebab, and a burrito – which is exactly what you want to eat at the end of a night out, on a severe hangover, or when you just want to chow down on some comfort food.
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At French Taco’o, they load flour tortillas with a variety of fillings, including grilled chicken thighs, sheesh kebab, falafel and beef patties.
Then in goes Algerian sauce (a spicy, tangy, mayo-based sauce), mixed vegetables, cheese sauce, and – very importantly – French fries.
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French Taco’o is a Salford takeaway that specialises in French tacos. Credit: The Manc Group
The whole thing is then flattened and pressed like a panini before being handed over to change your life.
When you cut the French taco in half, the cross-section is giving mosaic tiles, but with pure spud instead of ceramics.
This brilliant takeaway also serves all your usual booze-soaking stuff, like burgers, pizzas and loaded fries.
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And it’s not just for late-night – these may be calorific fast food items, but they’re made from scratch with a lot of love.
French Taco’o is not the first French taco establishment in town – there’s also an Airstream caravan up on Oxford Road that specialises in them.
These Greater Manchester French tacos are like a cross between a doner kebab, burrito and gyros. Credit: The Manc GroupYou’ll find French Taco’o on Chapel Street in Salford. Credit: The Manc Group
Robbie Reviews commented: “So so so good here. And the lads who work here are fantastic!!”
Someone else wrote: “I stumbled into this place last year after a night out. The guy is such a nice bloke I’m made up that he’s getting some love from pages like this.”
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And someone else posted: “The best French taco thank you Cedric.”
French Taco’o might be the best and most filling £7.99 you can spend in Salford.
Bakery chain Gail’s is attempting to win over Prestwich after spelling mishap
Daisy Jackson
Gail’s has announced a plan to try and make amends with Prestwich after spelling the village’s name wrong on the new bakery’s signs.
The massive bakery chain finally confirmed that it would be moving into the suburb on the fringes of Bury and Manchester, but made a fatal flaw at the first step.
The huge posters are missing the letter ‘T’, instead saying ‘Hello Preswich’.
More than a few eyebrows were raised locally, with people saying it’s ‘not a great first impression for the locals…’.
And now Gail’s is attempting to put things right by offering free tea to Prestwich residents.
In new material released today, they wrote: “Oops… people of Prestwich, we owe you a ‘T’.
“You may have seen how we missed out a ‘t’ in our new bakery signage.
“We’re sorry for the mistake, and to make up for it we’d like to brew you a tea when we open.”
The new advertising has a QR code which people can scan to claim their free cuppa.
Gail’s has also passed its thanks on to ‘local resident Clair’, who actually came up with the suggestion on The Manc’s LinkedIn post here.
With this development, Gail’s has now confirmed it’ll be opening in Prestwich – directly opposite the new Rudy’s – in early 2025, with free tea served then to those who scan the QR code.
Gail’s will hand out free tea in Prestwich to apologise for spelling the village’s name wrongHuge bakery chain Gail’s confirms move to Prestwich – but spells village’s name wrong in signage
Salon Madre – A new tequila bar and pool hall is opening in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A new tequila bar and pool hall is set to open in Manchester in a couple of weeks, from the same team behind Madre.
The huge new space, Salon Madre, will be serving up the tacos and burritos that have made the Mexican restaurant at Kampus so well-loved.
And all that’s alongside a drinks menu that centres around tequila, including frozen, classic and flavoured margaritas and palomas.
Can’t stomach tequila? There’ll also be wines on draft, Corona and local beers.
The food menu will show off signature dishes like al pastor tacos, with daily rotating specials, plus Gringas, nachos and Madre’s huge burritos.
Salon Madre has taken over a spot just off Kampus’s lush garden that was previously home to a Seven Brothers taproom, right next door to Madre itself.
Salon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupSalon Madre is a new Mexican pool hall and tequila bar in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
As well as all the Mexican food and drink goodness, the bar will have four pool tables and will be screening Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) and American sports.
The dream is to bring the fun and liveliness of a Mexican pool hall to the heart of Manchester, in this beautiful spot right near Piccadilly and Canal Street.
Salon Madre will open on 6 December at Kampus, with bookings for Christmas groups and parties now available.
Daisy Jackson -
21st August 2024 
