A Manchester chip shop has reacted with surprise and delight after it was named the second best chippy in the whole of the UK.
The Hip Hop Chip Shop in Ancoats ranked second on the list after The Mayfair Chippy in London as part of a ranking put together by Betting company Betway.
The betting company looked at Google ratings, Instagram hashtags and reviews on TripAdvisor in order to compile its findings, also naming another local chippy, Tony’s in Miles Platting, at number 7.
The new accolade has left owner Jonathan ‘Ozzie’ Oswald surprised but pleased, leadinghim to take to Instagram to respond to the award.
Reflecting on the fact that nearly 10% of UK chippies have recently closed for good, he commented on how nice it was to get recognition for the chip shop’s work, writing: “It is always nice to get any sort of recognition of course. This was a surprise bit of promo. I am proud of how we’ve managed to survive, given the circumstances.”
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Thanking the people “that get out and support us” he went on to say it was his goal to “put out consistent good quality food and organically grow to survive in this extremely unforgiving tough hospitality industry.”
Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
The post also good-naturedly questioned the way that the betting company had compiled the data to get their results, with Ozzie writing: “I don’t wanna bite the hand that feeds or piss on my own chips… but my only wee gripe is it’s been done by a betting company that use this as a way to get press.
He continued: “[…] (everyone needs to promote themselves tho 🤷♂️ so no need to get on the high horse)… but if the validity of their methodology to calculate the scores is consistent and stands up to testing and we did indeed come out very nearly on top then we are still doing, at least something right.”
Fans have since piled into the comments to reassure their favourite chippy that they are, in fact, up there with the very best and well deserving of the award, however it has come about.
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Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
One person wrote: “Hip Hop Chip Shop Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everybody”
Another said: “Well deserved!!! You’ve created something truly special here and this is a recognition of all the hard work, etc. Massive respect and hopefully more and more people will come and fall in love with the place like we all have!!”
A third asked: “What do they mean second best?”
A fourth added: “Clearly I have never been to whatever is meant to be better than you, because I can’t imagine anything is.”
A fifth commented: “Only really one list I’m interested Ozzie and that’s my order with my favourite chippy (you)! 😁 congratulations all the same, you graft hard and deserve all the accolades you get”
Having first begun life in its hip-hop boombox trailer, today The Hip Hop Chip Shop also has a permanent location in Ancoats. To see its full menu, click here.
Featured image – The Manc Eats
Eats
The Salmon of Knowledge pub is opening a second site in Didsbury
Danny Jones
A recent addition to the Manchester hospitality scene is building on its early success and opening up another Irish bar over in Didsbury.
Northern Quarter’s Salmon of Knowledge, which launched back in September 2024, is one of countless Irish pubs across Greater Manchester but only a handful in the vibrant district.
Having taken over the much-loved old PLY site – which sadly closed its doors last summer – they had a job on their hands to reach the same heights as the legendary late-night pizza and shuffleboard joint, but these first few months have clearly gone well enough to expand.
The increasingly popular watering hole which is one of the few places around here where you can get Murphy’s (at least in the city centre) is much more than just an Irish-themed venue: it delivers regular live music, sports on the box and great food from local brand, The Last Stop – and Didsbury is up next.
Irish favourite The Salmon of Knowledge’s sister bar comes to Didsbury later this year. (Credit: The Manc Eats)
The caption goes on to read: “Big news, Didsbury. You called and we answered. The Salmon of Knowledge is swimming upstream to bring our second site to YOU very soon!
“By popular demand, we are expanding to the suburbs, so get ready for live music, great food, live sports, and gallons of Guinness. You heard it here first… stay tuned!”
As well as a wide variety of beverages beyond the obviously stunning stouts, fans will be glad to hear the Salmon will be bringing The Last Stop’s talents with them.
From the aesthetic, prices and drinks selection to the reliable New York influences on the Heaton Chapel-based vendor’s menu, we’ve been pretty big fans of this place since minute one.
Manchester, pay attention: The Salmon of Knowledge has some wisdom to bestow upon you — mainly how to pour a proper Guinness and have a grand auld time. 🇮🇪☘️
Although they are yet to give any more information as to when we can expect The Salmon of Knowledge Didsbury to open at present, we do have an indication of where it will be popping up.
It has now been confirmed that they will be taking over the former Dockyard pub (which still has locations in Salford Quays and Spinningfields), meaning that it will sit in the heart of the busy Didsbury Village strip, which should prove great for footfall.
Just like the Stevenson Square spot, live music and sports will accompany Didsbury’s new Irish bar as well and if the phrase ‘gallons of Guinness’ doesn’t get you excited, we don’t know what will.
New pasta kitchen Soots Pasta opens at Altrincham Market
Daisy Jackson
A little piece of pasta paradise has landed at Altrincham Market and it’s got a secret you won’t believe.
Soots Pasta has taken on a spot in the covered market, where owners and co-founders Ellie Proudfoot and Ruth Duarte are hand-making fresh pasta dishes.
They’ve named this fantastic little kitchen after their cocker spaniel, Soots.
Signature dishes here include a satisfying swirl of thick ravioli, stuffed with ricotta and served on a bed of pumpkin puree and sage butter.
There’s also a vibrant green pesto tagliatelle, laced with basil, lemon and pistachio.
As for small plates, there’s freshly-made focaccia with three different butters, plus crunchy tomato arancini.
Soots Pasta is the first solo venture for Ellie, who used to work as a private chef as well as at restaurants around the region.
Soots Pasta in Altrincham Market. Credit: The Manc GroupSoots Pasta in Altrincham Market. Credit: The Manc Group
She’s taken her background – which includes culinary school in France – to create this modern European menu that takes inspiration from Italy.
What’s not immediately obvious, on reading the menu or eating it, is that everything on the Soots Pasta menu is entirely vegan – and they have gluten-free pasta available on request.
The pair hope that Altrincham Market will be a launchpad to them eventually opening their first restaurant, as it’s done for so many businesses that came before it.
Soots Pasta is on Pott Street in the covered market, and is open Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 14 January.
Georgina Pellant -
31st May 2023 
