Honest Burgers is finally set to open its restaurant in Leeds this weekend- and it will celebrate with free burgers and chips.
The restaurant chain already has 40 restaurants scattered across the UK, but has only been running as a pop-up in Leeds (at the Northern Monk brewery) until now.
It's now set to open its 41st site on Cloth Hall Street, just next to the newly-pedestrianised Corn Exchange area.
Credit: Honest Burgers
To celebrate the Leeds opening, Honest are giving the first 500 customers a burger and chips on the head. All you need to do to claim yours is head down to the new restaurant on Cloth Hall Street from 11.30am on Saturday 30 August and be the first to enjoy the great British burger, it really is that simple.
The launch also will mark the start of plenty of Leeds-exclusive specialities, including a soon-to-be-released local burger (those who have visited the Northern Monk pop-up will know exactly how highly anticipated this one is) as well as a collaborative sauce with Leeds-own Thiccc Sauce, and if that's not enough, for the first time ever, HONEST will be serving a cheesy version of their much-loved bacon gravy.
Image: Supplied
Speaking ahead of the launch, Tom Barton, Co-Founder Honest Burgers said: "Leeds has been a long time coming for Honest and we’re very happy to open on Saturday 30thJuly.
"All of our restaurants have close ties with local breweries and producers. In Leeds that means beers from Northern Monk and a local burger (launching in August) featuring beer pickled onions, smoked cheddar and a brand new black garlic chipotle chutney from lockdown star Thiccc Sauce.
"And for the first time ever, we’ll be serving a cheesy version of our cult favourite bacon gravy for all your burger and chip dunking needs."
A fully-vegan burger. Credit: Honest Burgers
The new Honest Burgers will create 20 new jobs for Leeds ahead of its opening on 25 July.
The burger brand is the only one in the UK to craft everything from scratch, including its beef patties (from its own butchery in London), its pickles, all sauces and relishes.
Honest Burgers was founded in Brighton in 2009, by friends Tom Barton and Philip Eeles.
Since then, it's championed local business and works closely with existing breweries and bars to collaborate in each city it opens in.
In Leeds, that meant its partnership with Northern Monk, where it made beer cheese using the brewery's Heathen IPA, and pickled onions with Faith pale ale.
In May this year, Honest Burgers announced Honest Farming, which will see it switch to regeneratively farmed British beef in partnership with farming collective Grassroots, cutting its carbon footprint and the environmental impact of eating beef.
Menu staples range from the classic Honest and Tribute burgers to the fiery Chilli burger which comes loaded with bacon, chilli cheese, Honest hot sauce, shoestring chips, and jalapenos.
The chicken wings are covered in sauce, and finger-licking food. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Vegetarians have a choice of three vegan burgers, including an Indian-spiced sweetcorn, cauliflower, and chickpea fritter, and the Plant burger, made with a BeyondMeat patty.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Tom Barton, co-founder of Honest Burgers said: "Leeds has been a long time coming for Honest and we’re very happy to open on Monday 25 July.
"All of our restaurants have close ties with local breweries and producers. In Leeds that means beers from Northern Monk and a local burger (launching in August) featuring beer pickled onions, smoked cheddar and a brand new black garlic chipotle chutney from lockdown star Thiccc Sauce.
Popular pizza pop-up Edges Pizza has opened a permanent home in Leeds city centre.
Last summer you may have had the privilege to enjoy a slice of Edges Pizza at one of their many pop-up residencies across the city.
Their longest stint was at the sun-drenched roof terrace of Green Room, and it's safe to say their pizza went down an absolute treat.
Since then they've been a little quiet, but all for good reason. Edges Pizza has just opened a permanent new takeaway under the arches in Holbeck, and it's absolutely class.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Owners Grace and Edge who are from Harrogate opened Edges two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
They've completely transformed the space into a proper love letter to the big apple. It will operate mainly as a takeaway, but there is a small seating area where you can perch and tuck into your pie.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu is perfectly curated, consisting of eight pizzas and three dips. And trust us, they are absolutely massive.
We opted for the American Hot with spicy pepperoni, banana peppers and parmesan as well as the mushroom pie topped with garlic creme fraiche and chestnut mushrooms.
Drizzled and dunked into moreish hot honey, it's rivalling some of the best pizza in the city.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
For now, grabbing a pizza from Edges operates through a pre-order system. Pre-orders open at 12pm the day before via their website, you can pick your collection time and then you simply have to rock up and get your pizza.
There's loads of parking available nearby and if there are any remaining slots available you can pre-order up to an hour before collection.
We've got a feeling they're going to very busy indeed.
Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
The Hoot -
28th July 2022 
