The new street vendors have announced- and there's some seriously delicious options to finish the 2022 season with.
There's a lovely combination of old favourites and newcomers to feed us until the new year, and whether you're after a burger and fries or some gyozas drenched in secret sauce, these vendors have got you covered.
Keep reading to find out what you can grab from each of the food trucks, as well as The Hoot team's recommendations...
Jimmy Macks
Roast squash and black bean tacos. / Image: 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 crema
Pickled Porker Smoke House
Loaded fries with pulled pork and veggie burger. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Back for another year, Pickled Porker is serving up smoked meats with the most incredible barbecue sauce. The huge menu includes at least 14 different options, including the gluten-free skinny loaded fries with 12-hour apple wood smoked pulled pork, melted cheese, sweet and smokey Louisiana-style BBQ sauce and cheese 'whizz' and veggie burger with sweet and smokey BBQ pulled 'chicken' or fiery jerk pulled 'chicken' with pear and lemon ponzu slaw on a toasted sesame seed bun.
Hoot recommends: ANYTHING with the sweet and smokey Louisiana-style BBQ
Big Mouth Gyoza
Mushroom gyoza. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Big Mouth is serving up two different gyoza options, mushroom or pork belly, each of which that are packed with flavour, and generous servings of the brand's secret sauce. Choose from either a bento box with four gyozas in saucy, sticky rice with sesame, spicy, cheezu or curry toppings and house pickles sprinkled on top, or opt for the gyoza tray, which serves a whopping six gyozas in different styles.
Hoot recommends: Mushroom gyoza bento box with sesame rice and as much secret sauce as you can get your hands on
Luigi's Street Food
Fried Cheese and Tomato Pizza. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
The much-loved Luigi’s Street Food is just one brand that has taken over Trinity Kitchen this month, but their Italian speciality dishes are proving popular with just about anyone that walks up to their pop-up van. Known as a panzerotto, the traditional Italian dish is deep fried pizza dough stuffed with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce and a choice of toppings- and they’re going down a treat.
Hoot recommends: Arancini balls or the cheese and tomato calzone look like any cheese lover dream
Nelly's Barn
Vegan chicken and chips with gravy. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Those looking for a burger fix will be delighted to see Nelly's Barn making an appearance at Trinity Kitchen over the 2022 period. There's cheeseburgers, bacon and cheeseburgers or the Whoa Nelly- the double burger with cheddar and crispy bacon to choose from- plus plenty of sides. Think popcorn plant-based 'chicken' with fries and sauces like southern-style gravy, sweet BBQ, garlic mayo and parmesan garlic.
Hoot recommends: Grown up deal with a cheese burger, chips and a lager
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
Eats
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Emba in Leeds will be closing its doors with the owner blaming rising costs and pressure on the hospitality sector.
Back in April last year, one of Leeds' top restaurants The Owl closed its doors.
Run by renowned Chef Liz Cottam, The Owl was reimagine into Emba - a trendy restaurant tat bridged 'the gap between cosy bar and vibrant dining room'.
To open Emba, Cottam opened a Crowdfunder where supporters would be awarded with prizes such as VIP dinners and merch depending on how much they donated.
But sadly just months after opening, Emba is to close permanently.
Cottam confirmed the sad news with a statement shared with customers over the weekend, saying she was completely "heartbroken".
She said: “This is no longer the right time to own independent restaurants like Emba,” she said. “Under the current conditions they cannot survive and the recent budget confirmed what so many of us already knew: no meaningful help is coming for hospitality.
"The experience of being here and the harsh financial reality of running a business here no longer stack up.
"Being award winning, popular, admired and loved no longer means profitable and as an industry if we’re honest most of us have not truly been okay since Covid."
She signed off the statement promising to return to the restaurant world, she said: “What I do know is this, I am not done. I will keep cooking, keep creating and keep finding ways to do the thing I love.”
Historic family-run Leeds restaurant that’s been open for half a century is forced to close
Clementine Hall
Beloved Leeds restaurant Salvo's has closed suddenly due to 'unexpected dispute' with landlord.
Salvo's over on Otley Road in Headingley is a real Leeds institution.
Having first opened in 1976, it has been serving generations of families for fifty years with its authentic Italian menu.
The much loved restaurant announced the heartbreaking news to their social media today stating that the unexpected closure is down to an 'unexpected dispute' with their landlord.
The post read: "To our dearest customers, friends, and supporters,
"It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we must share some devastating news. Due to an unexpected dispute with our landlord, we have been forced to close our doors effective immediately.
"This morning, the landlord changed the locks and denied our team access to the premises. This means we are, with immediate effect, unable to honor any existing bookings, provide table service, or welcome you for the dining experience we love to create.
"We want to be unequivocally clear: We have always met our obligations, including rent and all bills. Our dedicated team has worked tirelessly, not just to serve exceptional food, but to build a community within our walls. Through the immense challenges of the hospitality economy, we fought to stay afloat, committed to our staff, our suppliers, and most of all, to you.
"Our hope now is to resolve this matter as quickly as possible. We remain committed to our dream and to serving you again."
The post continued: "From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your incredible support, your laughter that filled our dining room, and your loyalty. It has been our greatest honor to serve you.
"We will update you here as soon as we have more information. Please keep our team in your thoughts."
Sophie Smith -
21st November 2022 
