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.
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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
A tiny new train station pub has opened at Manchester Oxford Road
Daisy Jackson
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A tiny craft beer pub has opened at Manchester Oxford Road, making all those inevitable train cancellations a little sweeter.
The new boozer comes from the same team behind some of the UK’s best train station pubs, who already have bars at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria.
The Oxford Road Tap has plenty of charming nods to its proximity to the great British rail network.
There’s the big red National Rail sign that they’ve restored and turned into a beer tap, an arch over the bar that mimics the shape of the station, and even a departures board so you can work out how many more pints you can squeeze in.
You’ll find plenty of British craft beers behind the bar as well as a great selection of European lagers, plus spirits and wines.
The bar from Bloomsbury Leisure Holdings Limited has taken over the former cycle hub at Manchester Oxford Road.
The small building is directly opposite the entrance to the busy train station on the southern side of the city centre.
The Oxford Road Tap pub is now open in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
This will be the third site for the pub group in Manchester.
They already operate the Piccadilly Tap, that two-storey beer bar on Piccadilly Approach with a heated rooftop space and outdoor patio.
The team are also responsible for the more recently-opened Victoria Tap, which took over the former bin store at Manchester Victoria.
That particular pub has a heated beer garden constructed just inches away from where the trams tootle past and has a departures board where time is measured by pints (got 10 mins til your train leaves? That’s one pint, sir!)
Oslo-born Doug’s Hamburgers is opening in Manchester, serving adult ‘Happier Meals’
Daisy Jackson
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Critically acclaimed burger joint Doug’s is heading to Manchester for the first time, serving up grown-up ‘Happier Meals’.
The burger brand started life in Norway but is led by a very northern team – they’re also behind Madre, Medlock Canteen and London’s Breddos tacos.
Doug’s is an Oklahoma-style burger restaurant with a menu of classic burgers made with hand-pressed patties from premium dry-aged beef (it’s the thinly-sliced onions inside each patty that makes it Oklahama style).
A classic cheeseburger is the brand’s signature dish, featuring a smashed patty, onions, cheese, mustard, ketchup, pickles and Doug’s special sauce.
There’ll also be fried chicken sandwiches, hot tenders and fries, plus breakfast buns served all day.
The ‘Happier Meal’ is an adult twist on a fast food favourite – you get a burger, fries, and a martini.
You can get deep-fried pickles with your burger at Doug’s in Manchester.Doug’s Hamburgers is coming to ManchesterCredit: The Manc Group
Doug’s spot in Manchester will be its fourth restaurant.
It’s set to open on Oxford Road above the recently-announced Amber’s nightclub, open seven days a week from 11am until midnight.
The flagship restaurant on Oxford Road is designed by R2A studio and will be opening this December in Circle Square for eat in and take-out.
Doug’s is opening on Friday 20 December and will be handing out free burgers – just head down from 12pm to claim one.
Emily Sergeant -
5th August 2024 
