A intriguing looking street food van selling ‘low & slow’ smoked BBQ meats has appeared outside Trinity shopping center in Leeds.
For the next few weeks, it'll be home to Jimmy Mack's street food kitchen selling wraps filled with 12-hour hickory-smoked beef brisket, 6-hour Birria lamb leg, and 14-hour maple-smoked pork collar.
These come topped with a selection of homemade salsas, pickles and sauces, plus extras and sides like loaded fries and Southern-fried boneless chicken thighs.
Converted from an old Peugeot J7, the street food van is a new part of Trinity's food lineup, joining permanent offerings Archie’s, Pho, Rola Wala, Tortilla, Pizzaluxe, Absurd Bird and Doner Shack.
The van's food offering will change every six to eight weeks, with the likes of poutine heroes Spuds n Bros, Thai kitchen Sri Non and burger bad boys Wagyu Lookin’ At? also lined up fpr a stint there this summer.
Chef James with friend pictured outside the newly-installed food van / Image: Jimmy Mack's
For the month of June, though, it's all about BBQ here wit York-based chef James Mackenzie in situ for the next few weeks.
Wraps here are dipped in meat juices, crisped up and then topped with melted cheese and house sauces and sides. All come served with a pot of special 'pit gravy' for dipping, too.
There's also a pulled BBQ oyster mushroom for vegans, served with deep-fried crispy onion, charred corn salsa and chipotle mayo.
Jimmy Mack’s is a relatively new concept, devised by chef James based on his own experiences of travelling and cooking for clients around the world.
He's previously worked as a chef to the rich and famous, at chalets in the Alps and on luxury yachts in France, Italy, and Croatia.
Speaking on the new project, he said: “After years of working in kitchens, it was time to do my own thing! I want to create tasty food that I love and bring something a little different to the street food scene.
“The street food van is such a great opportunity for chefs like myself, one that is original and isn’t offered anywhere else. I am looking forward to joining Trinity Kitchen and serving up some great food.”
Find Jimmy Mack's at Trinity from 1st-20th June. Find out more and view the menu on their website.
Eats
Leeds pizza shop hailed ‘exceptional’ and ‘best in the UK’ by major reviewer
A Leeds pizza takeaway has received a glowing review from popular review duo.
Edges Pizza opened up their first permanent spot in Leeds back in June this year, after making a name for themselves slinging out pizzas at multiple pop-ups across the city.
Owners Grace and Edge from Harrogate opened Edges Pizza two years ago, taking inspiration from trips to New York over the years.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their pizzas are a love letter to the class New York slice, think thin and crispy rather than chewy and floppy. But above all else, think absolutely delicious.
And now, they've caught the attention of a major review page, with Bite Twice Food Reviews (a page with almost 300k followers) paying Edges a visit.
The food review duo of Gerry del Guercio and Paul Delany popped up in Holbeck beneath the arches to get their hands on a pizza, and the outcome is brilliant.
In the video, Bite Twice said that the pizza is 'f**cking exceptional' and up there with 'one of the best pizzas in the UK'.
Before even taking a bite, they said: "On aesthetic, I don't think anywhere in the UK is doing pizza like this".
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Then after the first bite, they go on to say: "There are very few pizzas in the UK that create this, I’m a little bit blown away".
As Londoners themselves, they go on to say that Edges is 'easily hitting with the best that we’ve got down south'.
And if that's not high praise enough, they sign off the video saying: "Leeds has got an absolute gem. I give this a stamp so hard my foot went through the pizza. Edges. Don Level."
The 42-year-old Kirkgate Market stall serving freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 a pop
Clementine Hall
Tucked away in Leeds Kirkgate Market you'll find a wonderful seafood stall selling freshly shucked oysters for £1.90 each.
It's places like these that remind us why we love Leeds so much.
Established in 1880, Hayes Seafood is widely regarded as the oldest trader within the historic Kirkgate Market.
For the past 42 years, it has been run by Cliff and Michelle, the loveliest couple who welcome every customer with open arms.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The menu here is small but perfectly formed, focusing on fresh, ready-to-eat seafood that you can enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a dollop of mayonnaise at most.
Delivered fresh every morning, there's pre-cracked crab shells, brown and white crab meat, cockles, crawfish tails - all perfectly prepared for you to eat at their bar or high tables opposite.
But, it's the oysters that you'll see people queueing for. And rightly so.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Everything here is prepared to order right in front of you, and for no extra fee. You can choose from two types of oysters: super salty Lindisfarne oysters or the slightly sweeter English Loch Fyne.
We recommend having a couple of each, pulling up a stool right by the counter and getting stuck in. If you ask Cliff nicely, he might tell you a bit about the history of the place - but you may have to order a couple more oysters for that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You're left to dress them yourself, whether you prefer dash of fiery tabasco or a few pickled shallots. But to be honest, they're delicious just as they come.
This spot is a real piece of Leeds history, and the queues at lunchtime as well as the repeat regular customers proves just how special it is.
All it's missing is a champagne stall next to it...now wouldn't that be perfect?
Georgina Pellant -
2nd June 2021 
