A Leeds shawarma takeaway has received a glowing review that’s left its founder with ‘the biggest goosebumps’.
If you know anything about food in Leeds, then you'll have heard of the almighty.
Starting life in Leeds and opening a second store on Manchester's Deansgate last year, Sqew has scooped up all sorts of awards and accolades during its time – including Deliveroo’s Best Kebab of 2025.
And now it’s caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 400k followers) paying Sqew a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up on Deansgate to test the claims that Sqew is serving the UK’s best shawarma.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
In their video review, Bite Twice said that the food is ‘out-f**kin-standing’, and rated it a strong 9.2 out of 10.
They said before even taking a bite: “I can tell you already we’re in for a treat. The quality of meat, cuts on that spit, look outstanding.”
Then after taking their first mouthful, they added: “That was one of the most juicy, flavour-filled, gorgeous bites into anything that I’ve ever had. It’s sweet, it’s salty, it’s got texture.
“But that meat, the quality of the chicken, it’s out-f**kin-standing. It’s been seasoned to perfection.
“This is taking the humble shawarma wrap to absolute heights, my god.
“Up there with the top three best shawarmas I’ve ever had in my life. Probably joint top with Fostok Halab, which is massive praise. 9.1. Why not, f**k it, 9.2, what you gonna do it about it?”
Responding to the video, Sqew founder Mitch Renshaw said: “Watched this 10 times. The biggest goosebumps. Thanks guys, made mine and the team’s day!”
Leeds pho fans have got something to look forward to this September.
Why? Because the popular Vietnamese restaurant Pho is swapping Trinity Kitchen for a brand-new city centre home.
The beloved restaurant group has recently announced it will be opening at 50 Boar Lane, with a rather tempting way to celebrate the move - a whole day of free pho.
Image: Pho (Supplied)
But before we delve into that, let's reminisce...
Pho was founded by Stephen and Jules Wall in 2005 and has since grown into a restaurant group specialising in Vietnamese street food, including its famously slurpable bowls of pho.
Pho first arrived in Leeds back in 2013, opening in Trinity Kitchen in a kiosk-style format.
Image: Pho (Supplied)
Now, almost 13 years later, the restaurant is preparing to close its kiosk and move into a new, bigger location on Boar Lane.
The Trinity Kitchen restaurant will close this Sunday 6 September, before the new Boar Lane restaurant officially opens its doors on Friday 18 September.
So although you have just under two weeks of a pho-less Leeds, it'll be worth it.
Firstly, you'll be given the chance to bag 50 per cent off their food during a soft launch by signing up here via Pho’s Leeds website before 7 September to be among the first to receive the dates and booking link.
Image: Pho (Supplied)
And then comes the main event.
To mark the opening of the new restaurant, Pho is hosting a FREE PHO DAY on Friday 18 September, starting from 12pm.
The offer will be available on a first come, first served basis, while stocks last, so anyone hoping to get their hands on a free bowl might want to get there early.
So, if you’ve been waiting for an excuse to swap your usual lunch for a steaming bowl of Vietnamese noodles, 18 September might be the day to do it.
A Yorkshire barbecue restaurant has opened in one of Leeds’ coolest venues
Daisy Jackson
A new Yorkshire barbecue restaurant has opened in Leeds city centre, with sandwich fillings cooked over open flame.
Mandy's Barbecue has taken over the kitchens at The Attic - already one of the city's coolest spaces - serving sourdough sarnies by day and small plates in the evenings.
It's brilliant news for The Attic, after their last resident, Fener Bar, closed after just two months after launching.
Headed up by chef Easher Panesar, whose CV includes the former Michelin-starred Man Behind The Curtain, Mandy's has a proudly Yorkshire menu.
He's created a menu of sandwiches with all the fillings cooked over an open fire barbecue, from BBQ rump steak to a Korean chicken thigh.
And when he says it's a Yorkshire barbecue, Easher means it - meat comes from Neil Smith Quality Butcher, fish is from Kirkgate Market (either S Myer's or Tarbett's Fishmongers), and he sources his veg from a local fruit and veg stand.
And the bread is proudly local too, sourced from Leeds indie Bluebird Bakery.
Mandy's Barbecue in Leeds cooks its sandwich fillings over fireMandy's Barbecue has opened in The Attic, taking over what was previously Fener BarProduce is all proudly YorkshireThe sandwich menu at Mandy's BarbecueMandy's Barbecue is now open at The Attic
Once the sarnie menu ends at around 3pm, he pivots into small plates, like Jerk mackerel, BBQ sirloin with kimchi, lamb neck with pea puree, and a dark chocolate ganache with olive oil.
There's a new bespoke cocktail menu, created thanks to celebrated Leeds bartender Sands (who you might recognise from Rinse and Bottle Chop).
Priced at just £8 each, that includes classics like Negroni, Old Fashioned, Aperol spritz, Pineapple Daiquiri, and martinis.
Mandy's Barbecue is open at The Attic in Leeds now.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd September 2026 
