In came the downpours, the nights suddenly got a lot longer and to make the new season, Trinity Kitchen's new food trucks arrived with plenty of winter warmers.
From bao buns and cheese bites to seafood and burgers, keep reading to check out the five new vendors on offer from September - November 2023...
Tikks Thai Kitchen
Satay Chicken Bao Buns. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
Serving British street food since 2017, Tikks’ is a Yorkshire-own that you might recognise from Chow Down. Known for serving up delicious Thai curries; satay and sriracha bao buns and panko prawns, there’s going to be plenty to choose from here.
Those that have checked out Yoi Fried Chicken at Trinity Kitchen before will be excited to hear that this is a sister company of Tikks Thai Kitchen, so expect the same succulent flavours and spices, just within a different menu.
Hoot recommends: The chicken satay bao buns are our go-to option. Expect crunchy satay sauce between tender chicken thigh and fluffy baos.
Little Red Eats
Original beef burger in a GF bun. / Image: The Hoot Leeds
There’s always a burger option at Trinity, and this time, you’ll find your meat patty fix from Little Red Eats. Expect Cheesy, Smoky, Blue and Veggie options here alongside fries drenched in sauces, jalapeño poppers and much more.
Hoot recommends: There’s a range of gluten free options available here, just ask the vendor for all the information you need.
Spuds & Bros
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Spuds & Bros Poutine needs no introduction if you’re a regular eater in the city centre. Serving up a concoction of cheesy, chippy, gravy filled bowls of winter warmer food, Spuds & Bros have poutine to serve the masses. Inspired by the taste of Canadian poutine, we recommend the halloumi serving, but any of their flavours are lip-smacking good.
Hoot recommends: Cluck Norris Poutine, it’s traditional poutine packed with creamy cheese curds and potatoes before being topped with chicken, bacon, halloumi, crispy onions, chives and baconnaise.
Cheese Yard
This is going to have cheese lovers sorted for the next few weeks. Mac and cheese, halloumi fries and Philly cheesesteaks are all on the menu at the Cheese Yard (well, it's in the name really).
Fish&
A newcomer for Trinity Kitchen, Fish& is bringing 'food inspired by the sea' those searching for a bite to eat over lunchtime for the next nine weeks. You might recognise the namer from Dry Dock back in 2016 or earlier, Fish& has been on the street food scene since 2010 and even won the Best Main dish at the British Street Food Awards in 2014.
A popular restaurant chain has closed permanently in Leeds city centre.
Popular pizzeria Franco Manca has closed its Leeds restaurant.
The chain was famed for its relaxed atmosphere, quick service and affordable sourdough Neapolitan pizzas that were on offer for as little as a fiver.
The chain occupied the site on the outskirts of Trinity Shopping Centre on Trinity Street, next door to Itsu and overlooking the back entrance of Marks and Spencer.
Hoardings have now gone up, signifying the site is now empty and Franco Manca has permanently closed.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
This can also be seen on Google when searching for the restaurant branch.
It was announced earlier this year that a number of Franco Manca's restaurants would be closing across the country.
This was down to a reconstructing plan approved by creditors for the chain. The brand said it had been knocked by “disproportionately high” UK taxes and a lack of business rates relief for hospitality.
Marcel Khan, chief executive of parent firm Fulham Shore, said at the time: “We are grateful for the support shown by our creditors today.
“Franco Manca is a fantastic brand with a strong heritage and loyal customer base. With this agreement in place, we will put the business back on a firm footing and press ahead with strengthening our customer offer and performance.”
The Leeds brand was not included in the initial list of restaurant closing, but it seems further closures were made.
Miami-inspired Leeds bodega to open second site in Horsforth following huge success of first
Clementine Hall
A sandwich shop in Leeds is expanding to the suburbs.
Famed for it’s toasted Cuban sandwiches, stacked subs and loaded breakfast bagels - Alfonsos Deli has made a name for itself for serving some of the best sandwiches around the city.
Such a good reputation in fact, that they’ve just announced a second location over in the leafy suburb of Horsforth. Get in.
Currently, you'll find Alfonso's in the Grand Arcade where their light-filled and airy space is slinging out sandwiches non-stop until sell-out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not just sandwiches, though. They're also serving up fantastic Cuban coffee, beer and even Cuban cigars.
Basically, it's everything you'd expect to find in a deli in Miami.
The team shared the news of the expansion on social media, confirming that a brand-new Horsforth site is on the way.
While an official opening date is yet to be revealed, the announcement has already sparked plenty of excitement among loyal customers, many of whom have been calling for a second location since the deli first opened.
Alfonso's has built a devoted following in Leeds, with its signature Cubano sandwich becoming a firm favourite, while its breakfast bagels draw queues of hungover punters through the doors.
The move to Horsforth marks the next chapter for the independent business, bringing its popular menu to a whole new neighbourhood. And they're in fantastic company too, in a suburb that is flourishing with independent local businesses.
If the success of the Grand Arcade site is anything to go by, the new deli is likely to be just as busy from day one. More details, including an opening date and the full menu, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Good luck to the team, we can't wait to check it out.
Sophie Smith -
20th September 2023 
