Anyone travelling on the train from Piccadilly Station back in the day would be greeted by a wonderful sight right near the main entrance at the top of Piccadilly Approach – Antonio’s Cafe.
The quintessential British greasy spoon cafe, Antonio’s was famed across the land for the hangover-destroying properties of its Full English Breakfasts, teas with that signature film of chip fat on the top and for always being packed out by blokes wearing high-vis vests – always a sure-fire sign of a caff’s brilliance.
Antonio’s also doubled up as a late-night chippy – staying open late into the day and serving up fish, chips and, if my memory serves me correctly – kebabs.
Just before Antonio’s closed for good, I popped in for the last time with my Spanish girlfriend, who managed to order a (deep-fried) burger on the side of her Full English. I’d never seen that before – or since.
Alas, Antonio’s is no more, but Piccadilly Approach is set to be home to a brand-new LATE NIGHT CHIPPY, serving food from 11am – midnight, 7 days a week.
Credit: eggbaconchipsandbeans
Credit: eggbaconchipsandbeans
Aptly named ‘The Chip Shop’ it won’t be hard to miss, and you’ll find all of the classics on the menu, including; battered sausage, fish, chips and an assortment of the finest British condiments, with curry sauce, mushy peas and gravy all making an appearance.
The Chip Shop will serve booze soaking food 11am – midnight 7 days a week.
A traditional chippy is just what Piccadilly station has been missing. That late night dash to the station, 8 beers deep not knowing if you’ve made your last train or not is about to become even harder with a distraction in the form of hangover busting proper chippy chips.
Located in the former Northern Soul Grilled Cheese unit, The Chip Shop is set to have a ‘cool’ interior featuring stainless steel and an Amsterdam style sauce rack with over 10 different options, perfect for those bad at making decisions. I’ll have a bit of everything, please.
A spokesman for the brand told the Manchester Evening News: “We saw this as a great opportunity to have a traditional fish and chip shop on one of Manchester’s busiest routes.
“”It’s what the Manchester Piccadilly area is lacking at the moment, so we aim to fill that gap.”
The Chip Shop plans to open from 11am and operate all the way through to midnight every day. The store is another welcome addition to the area, with the likes of Archie’s, Black Sheep Coffee and Bravissimi Italians also opening up a space near the busy station.
If you can’t wait that long for your chips though, there are plenty of other mint chippies around Northern Quarter and up to Piccadilly Station to kerb your craving. Tib Street chippy is a personal favourite, but if you’re after something a bit closer to your train – Burger King will have to suffice for now.
