Kool Runnings’ legendary Caribbean food truck is back in Old Trafford
"A lot of people missed us you know, since we come back a lot of people came back, complaining, kept saying 'where were you guys, where were you guys?'"
Now more than ever, we’re starting to get used to the fact that the food businesses we love often come and then go. But in the case of Kool Runnings’ Caribbean food truck, whenever it goes missing there’s always more than a little bit of a panic.
The legendary kitchen-on-wheels has been feeding its community for a quarter of a decade, and if it disappears – as it sometimes does – its loyal regulars start to fret.
Lately, the truck has been missing from its Old Trafford patch. As a result, fans have been left wondering what is going on and whether it might have closed for good, as so many great hospitality businesses seem to be doing at the moment.
Good news, then, that after a short hiatus, it is back: once again parked up in its rightful spot, slinging out its famous fried and jerk chicken, as well as handmade patties, massive dumplings, creamy coleslaw, mac and cheese, and plenty more to the waiting crowds.
Jerk chicken on the grill at Kool Runnings food truck in Old Trafford. / Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats
Owner Aval Saunders has been steadfastly feeding his community what is widely considered to be some of the best Yard food in the north since 1998, cooking late into the night out of his food truck with a little help from his sons.
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He hates waste and will generally stay open serving until all the food is gone. Making everything from scratch, with fresh patties prepared daily, also means that everything is super fresh – but the days are long, and he works hard.
Queues here are common, especially in the summer when the smell of spiced meat on charcoal billows from the trailer and hungrily winds its way around the neighbourhood.
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It’s unsurprising, then, that he felt he needed a bit of a break – telling us that he has just returned from spending time abroad recuperating in Jamaica.
“So yeah, we’ve been back home to Jamaica just to have a bit of rest because you know we’re busy we’re very busy,” he told The Manc.
“A lot of people missed us you know, since we come back a lot of people came back, complaining, kept saying ‘where were you guys, where were you guys?’ But we had to take a break because we’re tired innit.”
It’s dark and our pictures don’t really do it justice, but trust us when we say that the food here is worth every bit of hype that it gets.
A fixture in the community for some twenty-five years now, it’s become a longstanding favourite for whole generations.
Aval’s cooking has also amassed some famous fans over the years. Footballers like Sergio Agüero, Andy Cole and Rio Ferdinand, as well as sports personalities Usain Bolt and Tyson Fury are known to be regulars.
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Even Ainsley Harriot of Ready Steady Cook fame has popped by the truck in the past for a scran, so we understand.
This is the sort of food that you just want to shovel in, no cutlery needed. Packed with flavour, then jerk chicken here is marinaded in a secret rub and then thrown on the grill until it’s blackened with smoke, whilst its accompanying gravy is thick, sweet and peppery with a nice hidden kick.
Thank goodness, then, that the Kool Runnings truck is back where it belongs. With the Longsight shop currently closed for a refurb, we were starting to wonder where to go for our next fix.
Feature image – The Manc Eats
Eats
Huge beer hall in ‘up-and-coming’ Manchester neighbourhood announces shock closure after two years
Daisy Jackson
A huge beer hall and rotisserie chicken restaurant that opened just two years ago in Manchester has announced its shock closure.
Trading Route was a joint venture between some of the city’s most established hospitality figures, including Trof, Manchester Union, and Wandering Palate.
The brilliant local business has described how difficult it has been to operate as the only independent business in St John’s, ‘an area that is still described as ‘up-and-coming”.
They said that not enough footfall has not come to the area to support what they were building, which – combined with rising costs in the industry – has made it too difficult to continue operating.
They added: “We’re proud of what we created at Trading Route and incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who supported us over the past two years.
“To our team, we’re deeply sorry we couldn’t make it work for you. The friendships made over the past two years mean so much to us, and knowing the impact this closure has on you is especially hard.”
They then urged people to sign the petition to reduce VAT for hospitality, saying it could help to save your favourite places.
The Trading Route in Manchester has closed with immediate effectThe bar served great local beers and rotisserie chicken
Trading Route will close in Manchester with immediate effect.
Their full statement reads: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Trading Route with immediate effect.
“Rising costs and stagnant footfall have made the business increasingly difficult to sustain, with trading conditions particularly challenging over the previous three months.
“We spent our first 12 months operating amid ongoing construction in an area that is still described as “up-and-coming”. As the only independent business in the area, we needed footfall to grow to support what we were building. Unfortunately, that growth hasn’t materialised quickly enough.
“We’re proud of what we created at Trading Route and incredibly grateful to our customers and everyone who supported us over the past two years.
“To our team, we’re deeply sorry we couldn’t make it work for you. The friendships made over the past two years mean so much to us, and knowing the impact this closure has on you is especially hard.
“It’s too late for us, but you could help save your favourite places by signing the petition to reduce VAT for hospitality to 10%. Independent bars, restaurants and pubs need your support to keep their doors open.
Manchester’s tackiest Christmas bar is returning for the first time in three years
Daisy Jackson
One of the most popular Christmas bars in Manchester is making a grand return after a three-year hiatus – and when we describe it as ‘tacky’, we mean that as the highest compliment.
Miracle on Cross Street is a pop-up festive bar that always used to use wrapping paper as wallpaper and cover every inch of the space in some sort of tinsel, bauble, or novelty celebrity portrait.
It was last seen in the city in 2023, but has announced a grand return for this winter, promising a more ‘refined experience’.
Guests can expect twinkling lights, festive spirit, and plenty of seasons greetings, tucked away beneath Salt Dog Slims on Cross Street.
The space will be packed with festive decor and seasonal drinks, plus plenty of nostalgic Christmas touches.
Tickets will be priced at £20 per person, which will get you a festive drink on arrival and a Christmas goody bag to take home, as well as complimentary mince pies and Quality Street during your visit.
You’ll also be sent on your way with a scratch card, which will reveal surprises and rewards (like free shots and hot dogs, or a chance to win £500) to enjoy upstairs in Salt Dog Slims.
Miracle on Cross Street will also offer a glimpse of what is to come from MDNT, the late-night bar usually found beneath Salt Dog Slims, ahead of its return in the new year.
Miracle on Cross Street, a Christmas bar in Manchester, is returning. Credit: The Manc Group
Michael Wood, Head of Bar Operations for Miracle on Cross Street said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring Miracle on Cross Street back to Manchester.
“It has been three years since we last opened the doors and, while guests can expect the same sense of fun, escapism and Christmas spirit, we’ve refined the experience and added some special new touches for 2026.
“Christmas in Manchester is always brilliant, and we want Miracle on Cross Street to be somewhere people can step away from the busy city, enjoy a festive drink and completely immerse themselves in the magic of the season.
“Whether it’s a Christmas catch-up, date night or festive celebration with friends, we can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”
The Miracle on Cross Street Christmas bar will return to Manchester on Thursday 19 November, and will be open seven days a week until 23 December. Bookings are now live HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
7th February 2023 
