Returning favourites Kabao will be cooking up loaded fries and baos whilst Jimmy Mack’s has brought tacos back to Trinity Kitchen, plus some exciting nacho options to spice up your lunchtime.
Eat Like A Greek has your gyros options with five different combinations, including olive and houmous; chicken; and halloumi and Shoot The Bull has wagyu beef burgers, including a full English option.
And newcomers to the kitchens, but longtime Leeds favourite, Stuzzi, has brought an incredible menu of deep-fried lasagna to Trinity Kitchen.
Keep reading to find out more about all options available: including what our team recommends from the menu.
Stuzzi
Images: The Hoot Leeds
New for 2024 is the Stuzzi deep-fried lasagna van. Popularised by Stuzzi's previous pop-ups across the city, there's four different types of lasagna on offer here. There’s of course a classic beef lasagna on the menu, plus options like tomato mozzarella and basil; sausage and pea; four cheese to keep you full through to summertime.
Hoot recommends: sausage and beef lasagna and Napoli fries
Jimmy Macks
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Packed with flavour, grab a meal deal from Jimmy Macks and take full advantage of the three-piece meal for £12. There’s roast squash and black bean soft tacos with charred corn salsa and lime crema or the cult-classic beef brisket birria in crispy folded tacos served with tomato salsa; Mexican chicken with jalapeno salsa and that birria dipping gravy that’s got everyone talking. Every meal deal is served with seasoned fries and a soft drink of your choice, or there’s side portions like loaded nachos and fries to choose from too.
Hoot recommends: Roast squash and black bean soft tacos with charred corn salsa and lime cream
Eat Like A Greek
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Now if you haven’t spotted Eat Like A Greek from previous previous takeovers, now’s your change to grab a bite of the gyros that’s kept festival-goers well fed and warm throughout the summer season. The van returns after a long stint across the UK to bring signature gyros, with options like halloumi, pork and chicken to the table.
Hoot recommends: Halloumi gyros
Kabao
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Bao buns, fried chicken, loaded fries and gyoza: that's what returning favourite Kabao does best. The Sriracha and Gochujang sauces here are seriously moreish so no matter what you order, you're in for a real feast.
Hoot recommends: Korean BBQ fries and Sriracha Chicken bao buns
Shoot The Bull
You might have spotted Shoot The Bull before at Chow Down or over the Pennines at Sheffield Plate, and now the wagyu beef burgers have made their way to Trinity Kitchen - and there's a huge menu to choose from, including: a full English stacked burger named The Breakfast Club; the Black and Blue, drenched in blue cheese and Sriracha; plus wings, fries and hash browns.
Feature Image - The Hoot Leeds
Eats
Big name restaurant closes Leeds city centre site after seven years
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Sophie Smith -
19th March 2024 
