Boojum, home of the most gigantic burritos in Leeds, will be giving away 500 free meals next week - but only if England can bring it home this weekend.
That's right, your possibility of free lunch is very much riding on the success of England against Ireland in the UEFA Nations League game this weekend.
But Irish-born takeaway Boojum is so confident in their home nation's victory, they're willing to bet 500 burritos on it.
They've laid down the gauntlet of a huge giveaway should England somehow come out on top - and that's suddenly me more interested in football than I've ever been before.
Boojum, which opened in Leeds in April, has listed all the things that Ireland is better at than England in a spoof video on Instagram, including Eurovision, the Craic, cups of tea, fried breakfasts, a good pint and now football.
They wrote in the post: "We're officially backing the boys in green when Ireland face England in Dublin this Saturday.
"We're confident we'll be bagging the bragging rights post-match and - to show just how confident we are - we'll put our money where our mouth is and offer up 500 FREE burritos in Leeds on the off chance England take the win!"
Boojum in Leeds will give away 500 free burritos if England beat Ireland this weekend. Credit: The Hoot LeedsBoojum in Leeds is famed for its 'size of your head' burritos. Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Boojum head of marketing, Paul McCullagh, said: “The Irish love a good punt and a bit of craic. What better way to add even more excitement to this highly anticipated game than to bet 500 burritos on it!
"It’s been almost a decade since the two teams met in Dublin, so it will be great to have the bragging rights in the bag once Ireland do the business.
"Of course, it’s all just a bit of fun. We’re located on both sides of the Irish Sea and absolutely love Leeds, the people and our new store on Merrion St., with big plans to open more GB stores in the coming months."
Republic of Ireland are set to host England at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium for the first time since a goalless draw in a friendly in June 2015. It will also be the first game the England team have played since their Euro final defeat and the first in its post-Gareth Southgate era.
Boojum will give away 500 burritos in Leeds from 11.30am on Wednesday 11 September if England win on Saturday.
Manchester's favourite Mexican bar is about to become your newest nightlife destination in Leeds.
It's been a long time coming, but Salon Madre is officially ready to open in Leeds.
Although we may have to wait a little bit longer for Madre, the day-to-night eatery that has made waves over in Manchester and Liverpool, Salon Madre, its lively tequila bar and pool hall sibling, is officially opening on Friday 20 February.
Salon Madre, which will be located just around the corner from Madre at 114 Wellington Street, is where the party really gets started.
Image: The Manc Group
Expect tequila-fuelled nights, pool tables, lively DJs and Lucha Libre on the big screens.
There will also be plenty of tacos being flung out the kitchen to keep you going until the early hours.
If you’ve ever visited one of their venues in Manchester or Liverpool, you’ll know it’s an absolute riot and we can’t wait to welcome them to the city.
Images: The Manc Group
Co-founder Sam Grainger, inspired by countless trips to Mexico, says: “Mexico is alive with passionate artisans and cooks, mastering everything from street tacos to regional delicacies. It’s a world where traditions blend and evolve and we’ve built that ethos into the heart of both Madre and Salon Madre.”
Madre Leeds will open soon and you can even grab yourself a free margarita by signing up to their newsletter here.
We’ll keep you up to date with their opening times but for now, we'll see you at Salon Madre for a boogie, margarita and game of pool next week.
Award-winning Leeds restaurant announces shock closure just months after opening
Clementine Hall
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.”
Daisy Jackson -
6th September 2024 
