The beloved BBQ gem of Oldham has delighted its fans and loyal customers this week by announcing it is to reopen for takeaway.
Hugely popular Chadderton ranch The Old School BBQ Bus has achieved well-deserved regional fame from its humble beginnings of trading on a car park in Failsworth back in 2016, before opening on a permanent site in January 2018 and becoming the UK’s first outdoor BBQ street food eatery.
It’s since become known and loved by Greater Manchester locals for its fantastic freshly-cooked food, live music and country entertainment.
But sadly, due to ongoing restrictions and England’s third national lockdown – and even despite being an outdoor covered venue – The Old School BBQ Bus’ famous smoking pit has been forced to close its premises to the public for a large chunk of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The ranch had instead been running a successful collection and takeaway service instead, allowing customers to chow-down on their signature slow-cooked grub from the comfort of their own home.
And now, following a closure over the festive period and a series subsequent delays due to maintenance work and cold weather, the owners have confirmed that they are back open for collection from this weekend.
With a menu chocked full of Smoke Shack Sharer specials, a wide range of burgers, nachos, hot dogs, pizzas, salads, sides and even a dedicated selection of kids food, there’s lots to choose from if you fancy getting stuck in this weekend.
Unfortunately though, due to current government trading restrictions for takeaway businesses, the ranch’s popular cocktail boxes and alcohol line-up will not be on the menu for the foreseeable, but a range of hard milkshakes will still be available.
Other soft drinks are also available.
The Old School BBQ Bus will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 4pm – 8pm.
You can find the full menu and place your orders for collection via The Old School BBQ Bus’ website here, via Appaway here, or on Facebook.
Hotel Chocolat to open viral chocolate Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Hotel Chocolat is set to open a Velvetiser Cafe in Manchester city centre, and it’ll be absolute paradise for chocolate lovers.
The popular chocolate shop, which has stores across the UK selling delicious chocolate bars, boxes and more, is now preparing to branch out in town.
Hotel Chocolat then hit a new level of fame with its Velvetiser, an invention that creates velvety smooth hot drinks at the touch of a button.
They’ve been so popular, Hotel Chocolat is now opening Velvetiser Cafes across the UK – and Manchester is up next.
If it follows in the footsteps of the Meadowhall cafe in Sheffield, visitors will be able to customise their perfect hot chocolate from thousands of combinations.
There are 18 flavours, different milks, and a whole variety of toppings available.
Then you drink can be served hot, over ice, or as a choc shake.
Colourful hoardings for the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser Cafe have now appeared on Cross Street, just next door to the new Joe & The Juice.
A planning application has also been lodged with Manchester City Council.
Drake-backed fried chicken brand Dave’s Hot Chicken is opening in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
The huge LA-based fried chicken brand backed by Drake is heading to Manchester for the very first time this summer.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open in the Printworks this August – the first UK branch outside of London and Birmingham.
The cult chicken brand has said that its new venue will feature an ‘industrial design inspired by Manchester’s rave scene’ (if we had a pound every time a new venue used that design style, we’d be as rich as Drake…).
Dave’s Hot Chicken is famed for its signature Nashville-style hot chicken, which is served in seven different spice levels from No Spice to Reaper.
Expect sliders, tenders, ‘next-level’ top-loaded shakes and slushes.
It’s grown so quickly that in 2021, it caught the eye of none other than rapper Drake, who is a ‘significant investor’ in the brand.
The fried chicken spot will be moving into the large corner unit at Printworks, which has previously been Busaba Thai, and Floripa, with 139 covers.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is coming to Manchester
Inside, it will feature towering ceilings, exposed steelwork, and laser lights, claiming to be a ‘full-on sensory trip, where music, light and fried chicken will come together to create a high-voltage experience’.
There will also be custom graffiti inspired by L.A.-based street artists Splatterhaus and Dehm.
Dave’s Hot Chicken still has hour-long queues down in London, several months after opening on Shaftesbury Avenue – next up will be a Birmingham branch in July before Manchester opens later this summer.
And this is just the start of a nationwide expansion.
Jim Attwood, Managing Director of Dave’s Hot Chicken UK, said: “Printworks Manchester is the ideal setting for our next UK site – right at the heart of one of the country’s most exciting cities.
“The new restaurant pays homage to Manchester’s legendary warehouse rave scene, with an industrial-inspired design and bold, high-energy atmosphere to match our signature flavours.
“We can’t wait to bring something fresh to this iconic venue and its vibrant mix of entertainment, food and culture.”
Dave’s Hot Chicken will open at Printworks Manchester on 8 August.
Emily Sergeant -
19th February 2021 
