Eats

The best places to celebrate National Burger Day in Manchester

The best of the burger bunch in the city centre and beyond this National Burger Day.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 27th August 2020
Almost Famous NQ

In case you didn’t know, it’s National Burger Day 2020 today and if you ask us, this is a day that really shouldn’t go un-celebrated.

And if you are going to celebrate, you might as well do properly too, right?

Perhaps it’s not the first city you’d think of when it comes to burgers, but Manchester is chocked full of an endless list of eateries serving up some of the most impressive patties you’ll quite possibly ever see in your life, and we’re really not exaggerating.

Whether you’re a meat lover, chicken fanatic, veggie or vegan/plant-based, there truly is something for everyone to tuck into in our city.

Here’s our picks for some of the top places to grab a bite to eat this National Burger Day.

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Almost Famous

Northern Quarter & Great Northern Warehouse

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Almost Famous is name that’s pretty much synonymous with burgers here in Manchester, so it’s no surprise that they’re going all out to celebrate National Burger Day this year.

How does 50% off ALL burgers on the menu sound?

That means that fan-favourite famous burgers Ultra Famous, Crack Shack, Phoenix 2.0, Vegan Famous and the brand new 2020stk “best ever stake burger” – which is a double cheeseburger featuring wonderbuttered peppered rump steak – are all available to tuck into for half price today.

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You can find menus, booking details and more information via the Almost Famous website here.

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Solita

Northern Quarter & Didsbury

Solita is real fan-favourite gem sitting at the heart of the Manchester burger scene.

The award-winning bar and grill has successfully brought the flavours and styles of New York and Italy in a unique way to both the Northern Quarter and Didsbury, and the menu is packed with plenty of creative and decadent burger creations.

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It’s also home to none other than the famous ‘Big Manc’ burger.

You can find menus, booking details and more information via the Solita website here.

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Honest Burgers

Bridge Street

Honest Burgers

While this ever-expanding chain may still be a relatively new kid on the block here in the city centre, Honest Burgers has certainly made a top impression on the people of Manchester.

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It’s not hard to see why either.

Especially to celebrate National Burger Day this year, Honest Burgers will be giving out a free can of its very-own branded ‘Burger Beer’ with every burger ordered to eat in.

You can find menus, booking details and more information via the Honest Burgers website here.

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V Rev Vegan Diner

Northern Quarter

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V Rev Vegan Diner

Who said National Burger Day can’t be for vegans too?

While the V Rev menu may be a little smaller at the moment due to COVID-safety measures, if you follow a plant based diet, or are just keen to try out the vegan junk food phenomenon, then there’s plenty to choose from at this popular Northern Quarter diner.

It’s safe to say you won’t be leaving disappointed.

You can find menus, booking details and more information via the V Rev website here.

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Patty Queen

Escape to Freight Island

Patty Queen / Depot Mayfield

You may not have heard the name Patty Queen yet, but you’re sure to soon.

Despite being a relative newcomer to Manchester city centre, Patty Queen has managed to secure a slot to serve socially-distanced burgers at 2020’s hottest outdoor ticket at Escape to Freight Island at Mayfield Depot, and it only takes a bite to see why.

You can find out booking details and more via the Escape to Freight Island website here.

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Cane & Grain

Northern Quarter

Cane & Grain

Cane & Grain really knows what it’s doing when it comes to burgers.

The classic ‘Stuff in Bread’ section of the menu boasts the likes of mouthwatering bacon cheeseburgers, chicken burgers, and even two different vegan burger options too, so everyone’s happy.

You can find menus, booking details and more information via the Cane & Grain website here.

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Yard & Coop

Northern Quarter

If it’s a chicken burger you’re after tucking into this National Burger Day, then you’re sure to find what you’re looking for at Yard & Coop.

The home of ‘buttermilk fried chicken’ and of course, the ‘Massive Cock’ burger – a double stacked burger with buttermilk fried chicken breast, thigh, hash brown, loaded tatties, lashings of cheese sauce, creamy ranch and buffalo sauces in brioche bun – Yard & Coop will sort you out.

You can find menus, booking details and more information via the Yard & Coop website here.

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Brewski

Mosley Street & Chorlton

No one does Northern American comfort food quite like Brewski.

With everything from loaded breakfast burgers, to veggie/vegan options, ‘afternoon teas’ and plenty of burger platters, when it comes to National Burger Day – whatever time of day it may be – you can expect Brewski to serve you up a feast like no other in Manchester.

You can find menus, booking details and more information via the Brewski website here.

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Archie’s

Oxford Road, Manchester Arndale & Piccadilly Station

If it’s a grab-n-go bite you’re looking for this National Burger Day, then a quick stop by Archie’s at one of its many convenient city centre locations should be top of your list.

The extensive menu boasts a whopping 23 choices of burgers in total – what more could you want?

You can find more information via the Archie’s website here.

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Northern Soul

Northern Quarter

Fancy something a little different? How about a grilled cheese for National Burger Day instead?

There’s no harm in bending the rules ever so slightly.

Sure, it might not be your typical burger you’ll find on the menu at grilled cheese powerhouses Northern Soul, but you certainly won’t be stuck for choice, with everything ready to tuck into.

You can find menus and more information via the Northern Soul Grilled Cheese website here.

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The COVID-19 pandemic may have taken its toll on industries of all shapes and sizes over these past few months, but supporting local/independent business has never been more important than it is right now.

Do your bit – support local.

The Manc is #BuzzingToBeBack – find out more about eats in Manchester here.

Eats

Inside the new Simpson’s-themed cafe that has opened in Manchester city centre

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

A new cafe with food and decor inspired by The Simpson’s has opened in Manchester city centre, and it’s already proving quite the mecca for fans of the satirical American cartoon.

Called Desert Island Dumplings, the new cafe – which sells a range of non-traditional vegan dumplings, salt and pepper chips, hash browns, and naughty noodles – can be found on the top floor of Affleck’s in the Northern Quarter.

Bursting with The Simpson’s memorabilia, the team has really nailed the theme here with a giant chalk blackboard reading: “I will not eat too many dumplings” over and over again.

This continues with retro school desks, a painted ‘blue sky’ ceiling, a Simpson’s scarf, and a Bart-shaped gaming monitor hooked up to an old Play Station and Game Cube (complete with the original Simpson’s Road Rage game and The Sims).

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

The cafe even boasts a larger-than-life mural of Homer disappearing into a hedge, taken from a 1994 episode of the show where Homer attempts to befriend his neighbour Flanders.

Speaking on the inspiration behind The Simpson’s theme, owner Lucy Linford told The Manc that one day a customer brought in a The Simpson’s scarf and ‘it just grew from there’.

She said: “Some people are a bit confused and I guess it is a bit weird, but it started because I do love The Simpsons and I do watch it a lot.

“The Simpsons thing just, like, evolved. Some guy came to Ancoats with that scarf to give me, and then we had that hanging up, and then it just came bit by bit.

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

“If anyone asks it’s kind of like, I wanted to open a cafe that I’d go to and I’d want to go to a cafe that had Simpson’s stuff, so I made that happen.”

As well as featured plenty of The Simpson’s memorabilia on its walls, the cafe also boasts a host of Simpsons-inspired dishes.

On its menu, you’ll find the likes of non-traditional dumplings in flavours like cheeseburger, salt and pepper chick’n and overnight blueberry oat, alongside the likes of drunken noodles, salt and pepper chips and salt and pepper hash browns.

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

Read more: A restaurant dedicated to garlic bread has opened in Manchester city centre

There are a bunch of Simpson’s-themed menu items, ranging from steamed hams to an array of combo boxes inspired by different characters in the show including ‘The Lisa’s Lunch Special’. ‘The Homer’s home Early Mega Box’, ‘The It’s All Coming Up Millhouse Special’ and ‘The moe Syzslak Mystery Mega Box.’

As for drinks, these are limited to soft drinks with favourites like Ribena and Coke available alongside delicious Columbian filter coffee, various teas and mugs of hot chocolate.

Read more: Walkers is opening a string of crisp butty cafes across the UK

To find out more about Desert Island Dumplings and plan your visit, make sure to follow the team on Instagram here.

Featured image – The Manc Eats

Eats

Walkers is opening a string of crisp butty cafes across the UK

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

We all love a crisp butty here in the UK. Or, at least 98% of us do, according to research conducted by Walkers.

There’s simply no denying how those crunchy slices of potato – be they deep-fried, air-fried or baked – add a lift to even the most humdrum sarnie.

So when we heard the news that Walkers is opening a host of crisp butty cafes across the UK we were pretty gassed, to say the least.

Locations are yet to be confirmed, with each shop set to run a unique menu of crisp-filled sandwiches alongside their own regionally-inspired offerings, reports The Hoot.

Loaded up with the likes of Quavers, Wotsits and Monster Munch, the new UK cafes will serve up the very best crunchy sandwiches created in collaboration with Max Halley, the guru behind the famous London sandwich shop Max’s.

Whilst most of the sandwich combinations are still being kept under wraps, we have heard talk of a fish finger Monster Munch hybrid with added chipotle mayo, Pic De Gallo and cabbage on focaccia, aka the ‘‘Might Monster Muncher’.

The decision to open the new UK crisp sandwich shops is inspired by Walker’s own research after the company discovered a whopping 98% of adults strongly believe that crisps make their sandwiches better.

Read more: A restaurant dedicated to garlic bread has opened in Manchester city centre

Philippa Pennington at Walkers said: “Last year the residents of Sandwich voted “Crisp In” as the winning combination, but this year we’re widening the debate to showcase the wide range of crisp and sandwich combinations – from classic Walkers crisps through to Wotsits and Monster Munch.

Read more: The landmark pub with Lemn Sissay poem painted on the side has been demolished

“With Walkers Sandwich Shops located across the UK, we’re calling on people to head to their nearest shop, taste the sandwiches and have their say online by sharing their favourite combination from the menu, or favourite crisps to enjoy in a sandwich.”

Featured image – Wikimedia Commons

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