Bada Bing — Restaurant in Manchester

I no longer live in Manchester but the powers that be ensured I was present in the City (thanks to a work thing) on the day of Bada Bing's grand reopening.

The owner did me a huge solid, by accepting my order despite deciding to close moments before my arrival (to restock and no doubt take a breather from the mayhem). They weren't happy when I ordered three sandwiches though. Sorry not sorry 😬

I've long loved Bada Bing, specifically the Muffaleta, so I'm giving a 5* review regardless. However... the bread... what's happened to the bread? It's different.

Since the incredible Bada Bing team closed their doors at Ancoats General Store, I've been trying to perfect the aforementioned Hoagie. I got pretty close (not really but by my own standards they were edible). Except the bread. I was never able to find a bread befitting of the filling.

Now, after it's relaunch, I was gutted to discover, the bread, that was so perfect previously, let the sandwich down.

Maybe it was the timing, maybe they have had to adjust how they produce it. Whatever it is, I hope this isn't received negatively; but seen as constructive feedback from a devout fan.

I wish the Hoagie Kings all the success in the world (Manchester for now, the world...

Italian-American subs/hoagies. Small menu but there may be an option to create your own or modify. The menu seems to change from time to time as the choices were different to those posted a year ago. Also prices have increased slightly since then; I paid £14.50 for a sandwich and can of Sprite.

The sandwich I had was ham, slaw and pickles with mustard. The filling is extremely generous, justifying the high price. It was very very tasty.

The pork is listed as gabagool but it's nothing like gabagool (dry cured capicola), it was a juicy and delicious ham. They have used the word for effect and since most people have never lived in the Philly/ Jersey/ New York area (I have), they will probably get away with it.

It was busy when I visited (Sunday 2.15pm) but the sandwich was ready in less than five minutes and the person on the front counter brought it over to me which was a nice touch.

To summarise: expensive for a sandwich, but justified by the amount of filling. Basic seating but clean. Will definitely be going...

I went to Badabing on the weekly when it was in previous incarnations and raved about the place. The concept and brand remains strong and while I have no issue with the prices going up by a couple of pounds I was seriously disappointed with the fact that the level of fillings seemed to have reduced significantly. I was used to a solid hoagie packed with delicious fillings but the ratio was sadly all wrong. The saying ‘all fur coat and no knickers’ came to mind. I was so excited for it to be back that I was left gutted that it appears that profit has taken precedence over what made them so special. I’ll try again in a few weeks when they’ve found their feet but if we don’t get back to mind blowing sandwiches like the pork belly specials they did or their staples having layers of meet and fillings that compete with the sizeable hoagie then they’ll have lost a regular in me. A £12/£13 sandwich has to ‘wow’ and make you full and happy whereas I was still hungry and a little...