One of Manchester’s best-loved Caribbean street food restaurants is set to open an exciting new site next month.
That’s right – Jerk Junction is coming to Trafford Centre.
If you’re unfamiliar with Jerk Junction, or just haven’t got round to paying it a visit yet, then it’s fair to say the eatery has become an absolute institution over the years, and is now renowned locally for its authentic and flavourful Caribbean cuisine.
Not only is it a community staple in Chorlton, where its original site first opened, but there’s also three other successful Jerk Junction restaurants in MediaCity, Wilmslow, and over in Sheffield.
And now, it’s set to take that success over to one of the UK’s biggest indoor shopping centres, as it was announced last week that Jerk Junction will be opening doors to a new Trafford Centre location in September, and joining other big-name food brands in the centre’s iconic Orient food court.
Although this marks the first time the Caribbean eatery has opened inside a shopping centre setting, the menu will feature signature dishes that fans already know and love.
Jerk chicken, curried goat, and vegetarian options like Ital stew, all served with rice and peas, and prepared with traditional spices and ingredients that have made Jerk Junction so popular, are expected to be on the menu when the new Trafford Centre site opens next month.
Manchester’s beloved Caribbean eatery Jerk Junction is opening at the Trafford Centre next month / Credit: Jerk Junction
“The Trafford Centre is iconic, especially its food court, but there’s a huge gap for authentic Jamaican food, so we are super proud to be a homegrown brand that can really bring that heat and represent the island,” Jerk Junction’s founder, Jake Shaffi, said ahead of the new restaurant opening.
“Opening at the Trafford Centre is a huge achievement for us, and the fact that we will be positioned next to so many global brands really sets the tone for the levels we are taking Jerk Junction to.
“We cannot wait to reach new customers and continue our mission to make authentic Jamaican food more accessible in the UK.”
Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at Trafford Centre, added: “Jerk Junction’s incredible Caribbean flavours not only enhances our dining offering to visitors, but also highlights our commitment to supporting local businesses and showcasing homegrown talent.”
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Food & Drink
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.
Burger King is giving away FREE vegan burgers to meat lovers to prove how ‘tasty’ they are
Emily Sergeant
Reckon you could swap out meat for a vegan alternative?
Now we know there’ll be droves of meat-lovers who read that question with their noses turned up, immediately dismissing the possibility that it would ever be something they’d consider… but what if we told you it was free?
That’s right – Burger King has announced that for the next week or so, it’ll be delivering its delicious Vegan Royale burgers to meat-loving customers for free, all with the aim of giving them a chance to experience just how tasty and satisfying plant-based foods can be, and prove that they won’t miss out by giving it a go.
The Vegan Royale is Burger King’s take on its legendary Chicken Royale burger, and sees a crispy vegan patty – that’s meant to be an alternative to chicken – topped with iceberg lettuce, vegan mayo, and crowned with a toasted sesame seed bun.
Burger King is giving away free vegan burgers to meat lovers to prove how ‘tasty’ they are / Credit: Burger King UK
The fast food chain‘s campaign is in partnership with The Vegetarian Butcher, and comes as shocking new research has revealed that more than 40% of meat eaters admit to having never tasted a plant-based burger.
On the other hand, that same research also found that the UK appears to eb embracing plant-based foods more than ever, as nearly 60% of the population say that are open to trying it.
67% of those who once thought plant-based food wasn’t for them say a great meat alternative burger was what changed their mind – so maybe this is what the Vegan Royale can be for you, if you’re willing to give it a chance.
So, to give hungry customers a taste of what the fuss is all about, Burger King will be offering anyone who orders on UberEats or Just Eat, with a minimum spend of £20, a Vegan Royale burger for free of charge along with the rest of their order.
Emily Sergeant -
5th August 2024 
