A restaurant in Ancoats has publicly exposed an influencer (twice…) who tried to ask for a free meal in exchange for exposure.
Lucky Ramen, a tiny spot on Blossom Street that has had queues forming for its noodle soups and Asian brunches, has become embroiled in a spat with an unnamed social media star.
It all started yesterday when the restaurant went public with a message it had received, which was requesting a complimentary brunch in exchange for a post on Instagram.
Lucky Ramen shared the message and wrote that they were ‘thrilled you appreciate our food’ but that the team ‘appreciate paying customers even more’.
They described it as ‘another thrilling DM from a blue tick superstar asking for a free feast in exchange for an Insta post’.
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Which was already dramatic enough, but the influencer in question has been quite cross that Lucky Ramen in Ancoats has taken a swipe at them publicly.
It appears they’ve followed up with a much less polite message, saying the independent business is ‘bang out of order’ for trying to expose them.
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The influencer asked: “So you think people like us don’t deserve to eat for FREE???”
They argued that they were trying to promote the restaurant for free, offering ‘time, labour, effort and positive energy’ in exchange for the free meal as compensation.
The unnamed user then said: “Your arrogance makes me sick. Haha very funny, you got a couple of giggles but we’re the ones that are laughing.
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Lucky Ramen in Ancoats brunch menuLucky Ramen in Ancoats brunch menu
“We go where we want, eat what we want and lastly – it’s all for free! WHOS LAUGHING NOW???”
Of course, Lucky Ramen hasn’t left that message in the DMs either, once again sharing screenshots on its Instagram page.
And they’ve chosen to smack the influencer with pure sarcasm in retaliation…
They wrote: “Dear angry influencer. Okay, aaalright… you got us! We’re truly sorry for attempting to uncover your behind-the-scenes tactics yesterday and, you know, us trying to make a living and sh*t.
“But hold on, the new message we just got deserves more than a standing ovation!
“This follow-up DM is a total game-changer, and guess what? We’re now rolling out the red carpet for all the free meals you desire. And that’s not all – our chefs are ready to part ways with their Crocs and Birkenstocks, throwing them in as an extra bonus for your tender love and labour! Even my dad’s medal of honour from the Japan war is up for grabs – he’s feeling generous the old geezer, and he’s even contemplating wheeling in his new eco-friendly hybrid wheelchair for you!
“Just hit us up with another DM, let us know when you’re swinging by to collect your well-deserved goodies, and don’t forget to leave a glowing 5-star review on both Google and TripAdvisor.
“We appreciate your understanding and, once again, sorry for the “inconvenience” we caused.
“Bon appétit + Arigato-the-f*ck-outta-here.”
Ouch…
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Will the influencer reply again? Someone pass the popcorn.
Viral internet sensation SpudBros to launch pop-up at Trafford Centre this summer
Emily Sergeant
Viral internet sensation SpudBros are popping up at the Trafford Centre this summer.
The UK’s most-followed jacket potato creators, SpudBros – also known as Jacob and Harley Nelson – will officially launch their hotly anticipated summer pop-up the iconic retail destination next week as part of Trafford Centre‘s annual summer fair.
Shoppers can get ready for freshly prepared, fully loaded jacket potatoes served up in minutes, all without compromising on quality, flavour, or portion size.
You can pick from fan favourites like the Tram Classic, which is loaded with garlic butter, the signature three-cheese mix, beans, crispy onions, and world-famous ‘tram’ sauce, to the Spudfather topped with chilli con carne, tuna, and coleslaw.
There’s also a range of other flavour-packed options to tuck into, alongside the option to build your own potato, allowing every customer to create their perfect lunch.
Viral internet sensation SpudBros are launching a special pop-up at Trafford Centre this summer / Credit: The Manc Group
“Manchester is by far the most requested location we’ve had since we started sharing our journey online, explained SpudBros co-founder, Jacob Nelson.
“It’s a city that has always seemed to elude us despite the incredible demand, so bringing SpudBros to Trafford Centre feels particularly special.
“Both Harley and I grew up visiting Trafford Centre, so to now be bringing the tram here for a week-long pop-up is a genuine full-circle moment. We’re excited to give people in Manchester a taste of what we do, whether they’ve followed our journey from the beginning or are discovering us for the first time.”
To mark SpudBros’ Trafford Centre debut, some lucky early visitors could be in for a surprise on opening day, as Jacob and Harley have built a reputation for rewarding their community.
While details of what surprises are in store remain under wraps, fans are encouraged to get down early and join the celebrations.
The new SpudBros pop-up concession will be located outside The Great Hall next week (18-25 July), serving signature loaded potatoes daily from 12–8pm.
Featured Image – Supplied
Eats
Two Greater Manchester gems named in Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants 2026
Emily Sergeant
Two of Greater Manchester’s best-loved eateries have been featured in a prestigious new ranking.
The Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants for 2026 have been named, celebrating the independent restaurants that define their neighbourhoods.
Rooted in reader nominations and rigorously inspected by the Good Food Guide team, the awards shine a light on the most exciting, accessibly priced places to eat across Great Britain.
Each year, tens of thousands of nominations are submitted by readers championing their favourite local restaurants, from bustling city dining rooms to small-town gems and rural hideaways, and then inspectors narrow it down to 100 of the best.
Inspectors visit anonymously, book like any other guest, and always pay their own bill.
Across Greater Manchester, we’re incredibly lucky to be home to thousands of independent local restaurants, but two of the very best have been featured in this year’s list – Lupo in Prestwich, coming in at a very respectable number 19, and The Spärrows in the Green Quarter at number 58.
Tucked away on a rather unassuming industrial estate, Lupo opened its doors back in 2015 with owner Nico Pasquali at the helm, and has been serving up a slice of Rome in Manchester ever since.
Speaking on Lupo and what makes it such a local gem, the Good Food Guide said: “Even though this homely little all-day trattoria is in the incongruous setting of an industrial estate, it attracts a steady flow of customers drawn by the unfussy, unpretentious vibe, the chequered tablecloths, the soft hum of Italian music, and the precisely cooked traditional dishes – from perfectly crisped Roman-style pizzas, to richly sauced hand-rolled pastas.
“To drink, there’s a modest collection of artisan Italian wines, as well as cocktails and Italian beers. The expertly brewed coffee also receives rave notices.”
Two Greater Manchester gems have been named in the Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants for 2026 / Credit: The Manc Group
A beloved resident of Manchester’s Green Quarter, The Spärrows is a modern continental restaurant which opened up in 2019 offering traditional Swabian Spätzle, as well as hand made dumplings an pasta of Central European origin.
“Not the least reason The Spärrows has been such a firm local favourite is that there is so much going on here, from winemakers’ lunches to sake tastings, it’s in those perfectly rendered little parcels of happiness, though, that the culinary energy is focused,” the Good Food Guide commented.
“Spätzle or gnocchi come with a range of sauce options, before the menu heads east for pierogi and pelmeni, with lashings of sour cream and garlic breadcrumbs to complement their richly meaty fillings.”
Outside of Greater Manchester and looking at the North West as a whole, there are also some other impressive inclusions in the top 10 – including the number one spot being given to La Laconda in the Ribble Valley village of Gisburn, and Almanac in Glossop taking ninth place.
Read the Good Food Guide’s full list of the Best 100 Local Restaurants for 2026 here.
Daisy Jackson -
1st March 2024 
