Eats

Greggs announces return of popular pasty – but vegans are fuming about it

Fans nationwide have been expressing their disappointment on social media.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 2nd February 2023

Greggs has revealed that one of its fan-favourite vegan pasties has returned for a limited time only, but some vegans are 'gutted' about it.

The popular bakery chain have decided to bring back the infamous Vegan Sausage, Bean and CheeZe Melt to all stores nationwide for a limited time.

Greggs have said that the pasty's triumphant return follows numerous "pleas from fans", reports The Manc.

But it seems that some vegans aren't too happy about it, in fact some would go as far as to saying they are pretty “gutted”.

Taking to social media this morning, the chain explained that after a three month hiatus from the menu to make way for the Vegan Festive Bake in November, the Vegan Sausage, Bean and CheeZe Melt is making a comeback, and is now available to tuck into from just £1.90.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the bake, the vegan-friendly version is designed to mirror the original and much-loved Sausage, Bean and Cheese Melt, and is also wrapped in layers of golden puff pastry – but instead of the classic filling, it’s loaded with pieces of vegan sausage, grated original and mozzarella flavour vegan cheeZe, and, of course, baked beans.

Greggs says the pasty’s return follows “pleas from fans”, who’ve been encouraging it to reintroduce the item back to the menu.

But if social media’s been anything to go by this morning, it looks like those pleas have been somewhat drowned out by disappointed vegans and non-meat eaters who were hoping it would be the popular Vegan Steak Bake returning instead.

A pasty from Greggs.
Image: Greggs

“We wanted the steak bake,” one unhappy fan wrote in reaction to the news on Twitter.

“What has happened to the vegan steak bake? I know I keep banging on about it, but they don’t even stock them in my local Icelands anymore. Miffed,” another fan wrote, while a third added: “The vegan steak bake is so much better than the vegan sausage, beans and cheese.”

Another fan wrote: “Gutted – was hoping for the vegan steak bake.”

While some fans seemed to be happy about it, the general consensus seems to be that the announcement was “pretty disappointing” after they were left waiting all week to find out would be returning.

The vegan pasty from Greggs.
Image: Greggs

For those disappointed fans though, Greggs has already launched a new selection of new meat-free menu items this month – with the introduction of the Vegan Southern Fried Chicken-Free Baguette, Vegan Chicken-Free Goujons, Vegan Chicken-Free Cajun Roll, and Warm Winter Vegetable Soup.

The Vegan Sausage, Bean and CheeZe Melt is now available in all Greggs shops across the UK.

Read more: North Leeds Food Festival set to return to Roundhay Park this summer

Featured Image – Greggs

Eats

Iconic Leeds venue The Reliance to be brought back to life under new name ‘The Smithfield’

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

The Reliance, a much missed North Street site, is being brought back to life as The Smithfield.

The Smithfield is set to be a new social eatery and pub focused on seasonal, produce-led dining.

Set to open its doors to the people of Leeds in early April, The Smithfield will pay homage to the local area through both its produce and people.

The venue will focus on proper plates of seasonal ingredients, pairing a relaxed dining style with a strong sense of community. Sounds pretty brilliant if you ask us.

Building on the legacy of North Street, The Smithfield is a collaborative project between Yorkshire brewery Crooked Brewing and chef James Donovan.

Images: Supplied

Steve Dawson, co-founder of Crooked Brewing, has long admired The Reliance and want to build on its established legacy.

“What The Reliance was doing was cutting edge for its time,” says Donovan. “We want to bring that same vision and energy into Leeds in 2026. Our aim is to pick up the culinary torch that The Reliance left behind and continue its legacy of great food in Leeds,” adds Dawson.

The Smithfield takes its name from Church Street’s historic connection to the Smithfield cattle market of the early 1800s, once located on what is now Lovell Park.

“We really want the people around us to feel that The Smithfield is their space,” says Dawson. “We want to give them a place at our table.”

We'll keep you updated with an opening date as and when we know, but we're very excited indeed.

Read more:

Featured image - Supplied

Eats

Viral brunch cafe Acai and the Tribe is coming to Leeds city centre this spring

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Leeds health nuts assemble, because acai bowls and superfood smoothies are coming to a city near you.

Incase you've been living under a rock for the past year or so, you may not be clued up on the whole acai bowl trend that has been sweeping up the nation.

Acai is a super berry grown and harvested in the Amazon rainforest, and not only is it absolutely delicious but it has a myriad of health benefits.

Acai and the Tribe first opened four years ago in Manchester, and ever since then it's only gone from strength to strength opening up three other locations across the country.

Images: The Manc Group

Next stop? Leeds. And we couldn't be happier about it.

So, what can we expect from this aesthetically-pleasing and ultra trendy female-owned business? Well, loaded acai bowls that look almost too good to eat, superfood smoothies, coffees, matcha and savoury options like avocado toast.

Announcing the very exciting news to Instagram, Acai and the Tribe said: "You asked, we listened. LEEDS… your new lifestyle arrives soon."

They will be opening on 88 Vicar Lane as part of the Vicar Lane regeneration scheme, which has already scene some great new restaurants being announced such as Sticks'n'Sushi and Dishoom.

It seems like this part of town is suddenly going to be the place to be, and we're very happy to see it.

We'll keep you updated with opening dates as and when we know more but for now, you can find out more about Acai and the Tribe here.

Read more:

Featured image - The Manc Group

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