From pattie-slappers to a £100 gold burger, when it comes to fast food, it’s never dull in Hull.
But in the age of Just Eat and Deliveroo, with a world of food at your fingertips, it can be difficult to distinguish between one five-star rated venue and the next. So what makes the best Hull takeaways stand out from the rest?
The most legendary venues aren’t just about quality, but about the place they have in our lives. And while hundreds of takeaways have served hungry customers across Hull over the decades, only a few have achieved iconic status.
Read more: 10 of the most missed restaurants from Hull in the 1990s
So, from Hull’s oldest chippy, to the diner that introduced chip spice to Britain, here’s our pick of the takeaways and fast-food joints that will never be forgotten. Agree or disagree with our choices? Tell us your favourites in the comments below.
Yankee Burger
With its memorable lips-and-tongue logo and famous double-decker Yankeeburger, it brought a taste of the US to Hull long before McDonald’s or Burger King arrived in the city. Even today, years after it closed, it is arguably the most beloved Hull takeaway.
Yankee Burger opened its doors in 1979 and – with its quarter-pounder cheeseburgers, ‘Frank the Yank’ hot dogs and maple waffles – it quickly became THE place to eat. It was so successful that in 1991, owner John Science was able to open his Yankee Burger American diner in Hessle Road. The venue soon became iconic – not least for the pink Corvette that John parked on the roof.
(Image: Hull Daily Mail)
While Yankee Burger is now long gone, it has left the city a lasting legacy. John was the first to introduce American chip spice – a blend of spice salt, paprika and “secret ingredients” that soon took the UK by storm.
Bun in the Oven
If you can remember it, you weren’t there… Bun in the Oven, Ferensway, was THE place to go after a night out in the city centre. Based next to Choc Box, at the foot of the old ABC cinema, the tiny takeaway is still fondly remembered for sustaining many a worse-for-wear clubber.
Late-night faves included cheeseburger, chips and gravy; fries in a cone, covered with watered-down ketchup; and bitterballen (Dutch meatballs) and mayo.
Bob Carver’s
The debate over Hull’s best fish and chip shop will never end – Cave Street Fisheries, East Park Chippy, Sue Downes, A&M – the list goes on. For the record, our readers voted Kingfisher, in Endike Lane, the best chippy in Hull last month.
However, any list of Hull’s most legendary takeaways would not be complete without Bob Carver’s. The Hull institution has a history stretching back to 1888, when it started out with a stall in the open market.
Carver’s later became synonymous with Hull Fair: for generations of fairgoers, a tray of pattie and chips was as much a part of the experience as the dodgems and the waltzers. For many years, the takeaway in Trinity House Lane was an institution, and these days the business is still going strong with its diner in Chapel Street.
Of course, the breadcrumb patties it is famous for have always divided opinion – many say a true Hull pattie should be battered, rather than crumbed – but that doesn’t stop them being delicious. These days, you can even have them delivered to your home.
Smithy’s
For many years, fans crowned Graham Smith the “King of the Pattie”. He spent almost 40 years serving fish and chips to hungry customers in the city. Smithy’s chippy, in Beverley Road, was once so popular, the queues lasted none-stop for seven hours at a time.
In 2017, a panel of experts awarded Smithy’s the accolade of best pattie in the region – and a cheque for £1,000 – following a vote by our readers. The runner-up were Funky Fish in Beverley Road, East Park Chippy, in Holderness Road, Hanson’s Fisheries in New Bridge Road, and Challis’s in Hessle Road.
Graham’s pattie is made of boiled potatoes, a dash of salt, a dash of pepper, a dash of sage and batter. But there’s a secret ingredient, as well, which he has never revealed.
The “King of the Pattie” hung up his overalls in November last year. The business was taken over by a couple who promised to carry on his legacy.
Eikona
Another Saturday night legend, the Scale Lane venue has been going strong for decades thanks to its combination of takeout classics – pizzas, kebabs, burgers, chicken, chips, wraps – and value for money. And while its current Tripadvisor rating is nothing to write home about, for generations of revellers staggering out of pubs and clubs, Eikona has been the perfect place for an early hours pit stop.
Wimpy
It wasn’t a party unless it was a Wimpy party. Many a child pleaded with their reluctant parents to host their birthday bashes there – and as the first burger chain to come to Hull during the 1970s, it is still fondly remembered by many people of a certain age. The outlet in King Edward Street was eventually taken over by Burger King in 1990, but for a little while longer you could get your Wimpy fix at the much-missed Megabowl, on St Andrews Quay.
Bamboo Garden
It takes a lot to earn the title of a “Hull institution”, but for those in the know, that’s exactly what Bamboo Garden, in New Bridge Road, east Hull, is. Earlier this year it was voted one of the city’s top five Chinese restaurants by readers. That’s hardly surprising when its loyal fanbase includes customers who have been visiting for more than 40 years!
One reviewer wrote on TripAdvisor: “It is an iconic east Hull institution, there is nothing to compare, I have had Chinese food all over the country and can honestly say they are the best!”
Another told Hull Live: “You know a place is amazing when they don’t do any kind of delivery. They know people will come to them!”
Golden Bengal
Another venue that has earned a loyal army of customers, Golden Bengal, in Hessle Road, was established more than 40 years ago. Back in 2020, it was one of the two most highly rated outlets in a reader vote for the best Indian restaurants and takeaways.
Writing on Facebook, Reggie Whittaker said: “I’ve used this place since the mid 90s … though it’s changed management the quality is still the same. I moved to Bilton Grange seven years ago and still get in the car to pick up my delivery.”
Dope Burger
From humble beginnings in Anlaby Road eight years ago, the founders of Dope Burger are now competing for the title of Britain’s Top Takeaway. Owners Oliver Johnson and Danny Smith will appear on the BBC Two show on Wednesday (May 11).
Their burger chain, which now has four outlets, has become a firm favourite with takeaway fans since 2014. Known for their attention-grabbing dishes, such as a “Unicorn” bagel burger and £100 gold burger, Dope Burger pushed open the doors for a new generation of independent, gourmet Hull takeaways.
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