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
Beloved Manchester pizzeria Nell’s to give one lucky person FREE pizza for a year
Emily Sergeant
A beloved Manchester pizza place is offering one lucky person the chance to win free pizza for an entire year.
That’s right, how does a year’s worth of free Nell’s sound to you?
Since first opening inside Common in Manchester‘s Northern Quarter back in 2020, Nell’s Pizza has gone from strength to strength, and has since opened two other successful sites over in Chorlton and down at the city centre waterside neighbourhood, KAMPUS – serving up its signature NYC-style pizzas, slices, ice cream sandwiches, and so much more.
And now, another new Nell’s chapter is set to begin, as the eatery will be opening the doors to its brand-new site in Altrincham in the Stamford Quarter’s ‘Foundation’ building this weekend.
The new Nell’s will be located on the ground floor of Foundation, and will feature a large bar and outdoor terrace.
Nell’s is giving one lucky person free pizza for a full year / Credit: The Manc Group
To celebrate the exciting launch later this year, the new Nell’s Altrincham site will be serving up a whopping 250 ice cream sandwiches to hungry shoppers from midday right through until 2pm this Saturday 14 September.
There’ll be hundreds of ‘everyones a winner’ golden tickets for people to claim with their ice cream sandwiches too, with prizes like a round of drinks, and a free slice of Nell’s enormous 22” NYC-style pizza – but the grand prize everyone will be hoping to get their hands on is the golden ice cream sandwich that gives one lucky person free Nell’s every month for a full year.
“People know about our pizza, but we also hand-make an incredible range of ice cream sandwiches too,” said Nell’s founder Jonny Heyes, ahead of the event this Saturday.
“This event is a really fun way to get the people of Altrincham to try them before our arrival later this year.”
Speaking on the launch of the new Nell’s Pizza site inside the Stamford Quarter, James Tootle, who is the Head of Retail and Leisure at Bruntwood – which manages the Foundation building – said: “We’re really excited to welcome Nell’s to the Stamford Quarter. Not only will they be serving up the best NYC-style pizza around, but they’ll also bring a great sense of fun and community feeling, which is exactly what this giveaway is all about.
“Stamford Square has been revitalised into a fantastic new space where the local community can come together, and we’re thrilled to partner with businesses like Nell’s to bring it more to life.”
Head on down to Nell’s Altrincham from 12pm on Saturday 14 September for freebies.
Featured Image – The Manc Group
Eats
Maray’s Middle Eastern-inspired Sunday roasts are returning to Manchester – and they’re FREE for one day only
Danny Jones
We know Sunday roasts very much fall into the ‘if ain’t broke don’t fix it’ category of British food -and rightly so, they’re absolutely glorious – but every now and again they’re made fresh and exciting again, and that’s exactly what Maray have done with theirs.
Plus, who on Earth is ignoring a FREE roast dinner?
That’s right, not only are Maray’s incredible Middle-Eastern twists on the classic carvery combination of lovingly cooked joints of meat, exquisitely cooked vegetables and their take on firm favourites like the potato (the best bit, let’s be honest), but they’re also going to be dishing them out for absolutely nothing.
What better way to celebrate one of the best Sunday roasts in Manchester than by serving up heaping plates at absolutely no cost to the hordes of customers bound to line up regardless?
Now, if you’re wondering what exactly it is that makes a Sunday roast from Maray so special and, crucially, showcases those Middle-Eastern influences, then let us tell you: crispy fenugreek roasties, butternut squash Tershi and, the true star of the show, the truly immense protein options.
Whether you want a simple roast beef picanha sirloin that would slot in perfectly on any roast dinner around the country, a spiced chickpea nut roast for the plant-free patrons, or the quite frankly stunning lemon, za’atar and saffron spiced chicken, either way, your collective mouths will be absolutely singing.
But they’re doing much more than just the standard staples of a Sunday plate. Along with proper Yorkshire puddings as big as your head and the addition of the new ‘disco’ cauliflower cheese side, you can also start and end your meal with a true taste of the East.
Be it a selection of traditional mezze such as whipped goats’ cheese with pickled apple, dukkah and basil oil; creamy hummus, complemented with aromatic falafels or scooped up with soft flatbreads to start, or the peoples’ favourite Baklava cheesecake whilst polishing off a bottle of red, Sunday truly is a holy day once again.
As for copping a complimentary one, it’s all very straightforward…
Waves of free Sunday roasts will be dished up by the staff at Maray over on 14 Brazennose St (just between Albert and Lincoln Square) on a first-come-first-served basis from midday on 22 September.
It’s strictly no bookings, just walk-ins and they’ll be giving away the freebies until they run out, so you best get there early to secure a spot and some Sunday goodness.
The same deal is happening over in Liverpool a week later their roast offerings will be available at each restaurant from these respective dates onwards starting from £19pp. Simple as that.
There’s a reason this roast was named one of the best in the country back in January – it genuinely lives up to the hype and it’s definitely the go-to option if you’re looking to mix up your roast dinner game. Don’t miss out, seriously.
Georgina Pellant -
31st May 2023 
