LEATHER LANE
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The Pick Up and Go Guide to Leather Lane Food Market
Hop on the Central Line and head to the Chancery Lane tube stop. When you get to the stop, there will be four exits. You want the Holborn exit. If you walk straight down Holborn and follow these instructions carefully, you may be be lucky enough to arrive at Leather Lane market. You will know you’re there when you see a gold and black rectangular statue on the left and an uncomfortably large amount pigeons gathered around an ominous sewage grate on the right. Tiptoe around them so as not to catch their attention and proceed down the road. Eventually, you will stumble across the food market. Leather Lane is a moderately priced market that caters specifically to the middle class office workers who need to grab a quick bite before returning to the monotony of their everyday life.
The busiest day of the market is most assuredly Friday. However, it is busy everyday between noon and when it closes at two in the afternoon. If you want to avoid the crowds, get there between when it opens at ten thirty in the morning and before the afternoon rush. You have the opportunity to visit the market during the week, but not on weekends because there is a suspicious lack of office workers around on Saturday and Sunday. Below is a nearly comprehensive list of the food offerings of Leather Lane along with some of the other oddities that can this market has to offer:
Table of Contents:
American Inspired Classics
Boom Burger
Boom Burger is a recently remodeled burger van situated caddy corner to Daddy Donkey. As street food goes, Boom Burger is exactly what a customer can expect. It’s nothing too fancy, just a well-made burger, chips, and a drink. Toppings include the usual lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and red onion. Melted cheese is also provided as an extra for an additional charge. The burgers are freshly made while customers wait in the queue. Some customers complain that Boom Burger doesn’t allow one to choose how their burger is prepared, but overall, the burger joint seems to be a hit within the market. The stand prides itself on quick service and “banging” flavors. With that being said, Boom Burger does get a heavy flow of customers during the lunch rush hour. Although the service is relatively speedy, the sheer amount of customers does cause some delay. It’s location next to Daddy Donkey does hinder business to some degree so the longest a customer will wait for food is approximately ten to fifteen minutes.
Grill My Cheese
Grill My Cheese was founded by Nisha and Nishma, two enthusiastic foodies, in May 2013 after both ladies visited the United States. After sampling many grilled cheese sandwiches at various diners across America, the duo collectively decided that each sandwich was more disappointing than the next. For being such advocates of the grilled cheese sandwich, Americans clearly did not know how to properly cook one, as the women noticed burnt bread and processed cheese. Returning to England, Nisha and Nishma decided to create their own gourmet grilled cheese sandwich chain to show Americans how it should be done. Their mission has been a success.
Located in the market near Clerkenwell Road Side, Grill My Cheese is a customer favorite. Their motto is “More Than Just A Cheese Toastie”. This proves true as the stand offers countless grilled cheese sandwich options, all cooked to perfection using real, unprocessed cheeses. To make the restaurant even better, each sandwich is given a “cheesy” name. The “Baby Got Mac” toastie is a sandwich that has a lot of junk in the trunk, with zesty barbecue sauce and fried onion petals drenched in melted cheese. Another hit is the “Justin Brie-ber” which uses creamy Brie cheese in place of cheddar. Probably the most popular toastie Grill My Cheese offers is the “Jay-Cheese and Bean-once”. This sandwich contains three types of yellow cheese accompanied by spicy baked beans. Customers will be “Drunk In Love” with this flavor combination.
Caribbean Cuisine
Jerkkies
If skeptical about trying Caribbean food for the first time, Jerkkies is the perfect place to start. The friendly staff are willing to offer suggestions if a customer is unsure of what they would like to eat. Many decide to order the simple jerk chicken, yellow rice, and plantains. After asking several customers about their reactions to the food, all said that the portion size and flavor were excellent. Jerkkies is one of the cheapest stalls in the market, but their food and service don’t show it. The more adventurous eaters can sample the goat curry, which is one of the spicier options on the menu.
Italian Food
Pastaria
Choose your pasta: penne or spaghetti, and choose your sauce: pesto, Bolognese, tomato and basil, creamy mushroom, etcetera. You'll find lots of lovely pasta goodness at Pastaria. You can get it topped with chicken for £1 extra. There is always a crowd around this food stand so if you want it, go early. Bring £5 or £6 for these tasty Italian dishes
Korean Food
Food Gangnam Style
Yes, they went there. But they make tasty food, so we'll forgive them. They opened up shop in 2012 on the lane and claim to have a mix of Korean and Chinese food for those looking for a quick bite. Stop by this Korean booth to get a taste of their Well Being Bowls, which have beef or pork with sir-fried veggies, salad, and rice. They also have bibimbap which is a very typical and tasty Korean dish. Bring either £6 or £7 for a taste of Gangnam Style.
Jinja
If you're looking for Korean barbecue or some yummy Korean bulgogi, then stop by Jinja. They offer bulgogi wraps for easy eating on the go, rice bowls with options of spicy and non-spicy meat (go with beef for no spice, chicken for spice) and they even offer a mixed salad option if you're trying to be healthier. The prices range from £5.50 to £7 so it's pretty inexpensive as well. Be sure to stand a little ways back from the booth while they make your food though, those grills are hot!
Mediterranean
King of Falafel
King of Falafel is a small stand located right outside of their larger permanent restaurant in the market. As a popular Mediterranean food option, there’s typically a bit of a wait for service. However, customers claim that the amazing food provided by the stand is worth it. The staff provide free samples of all their falafel options so that customers are able to try what they want before their purchase. The falafel is cooked right there at the stand so it is guaranteed to be fresh. It tastes delicious with the stand’s homemade hummus, sauces, and salads as well. Customers can choose to add halloumi or chicken, but even standalone, the falafel in a wrap is a filling lunch option.
Mexican Food
Daddy Donkey's
As it says in its tagline, it's a kick-ass Mexican grill, and one of the bigshots of the Leather Lane Market. It started in 2005 as a tiny food stand, the first Mexican street food London had ever had. They eventually upgraded to a food truck (or, a burrito-mobile) and business took off. They eventually opened their permanent shop on Leather Lane in 2013 and have been swarmed by the market goers ever since. In fact, they are still so popular that during market hours, in addition to their shop, they have a food truck right outside it to serve more people.
Inside the shop is where you can get burritos, the food truck is where you can get quesadillas. Both give you the option of making it a "combo", where you get a side of chips smothered in jalapeno queso dip. Both the shop and the truck are the same, price-wise, which is about £7 for a burrito/quesadilla, and £1.50 extra to make it a combo. They have various soft drinks and bottled water to drink, and if you want alcohol with your Mexican food, they also sell Corona.
If you can't decide what you want to eat out of all the various food places on Leather Lane, you should start here, at Daddy D's. It's a staple of the market, and really, just has plain delicious food.
Thai
Pavana’s Thai Take-Away
Pavana’s Thai cuisine has been selling delicious food at the market for years. They’ve grown from a small table to a large food van equipped with stoves and a service counter. For those interested in traditional Thai food, such as chicken Pad Thai, Pavana’s is the ideal lunch destination. The stand serves a range of dishes like prawns, stir fry, noodles, and seafood options. Many customers enjoy Pavana’s service and food. Therefore, queues are often long and the wait time could be over ten minutes. Yet, customers always leave the Thai take-away with satisfied smiles.
Vegetarian and Vegan
El Jugo Juice Bar
Want a tasty refreshing drink with real fruit and no added sugar? Stop by this extensive juice bar which has been serving up juice since 1993. They offer smoothies, juice, milkshakes, and loads of mix-ins for "super smoothies", like protein powders, whey protein and wheat grass. As they say, "cows eat it, dopes smoke it, but only the enlightened drink it!"
Super healthy has never been so super delicious. Bring between £4 and £7 to enjoy some amazing fresh beverages. More if you want to customize and add all the different mix-ins. It's all-natural ingredients so you can feel good about what you're putting in your body, so drink as much as you like!
Sunny's Olive Tree
It's not just fried or grilled food here at Leather Lane. They also have a salad bar for those who want to eat healthier or for those who are vegetarian/vegan. Choose a small or large salad (£4 or £5, respectively) and get toppings like carrots, potatoes, peppers, hummus, tomatoes, feta cheese, and olives. They also have veggie sandwiches, if you prefer. They also offer a selection of olives, hummus, fruits, nuts, and feta cheese if you want a bite but aren't hungry for a meal. It's all natural and all healthy. Who said street food can't be good for you?
Quiche and Roast
As the name suggests, Quiche and Roast serves fresh vegan and vegetarian quiches, along with various roasted vegetables. If a customer is partial to these diets or simply wishes to enjoy some meat-free grub, the quiches served are guaranteed to to satisfy the even the hungriest eater. Served in a box and overflowing with vegetable medley, customers will receive a decent amount of food for a reasonable price. Veggies include potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, peppers, tomatoes, green beans, lentils cauliflower, and many more. Customers will get great tasting and smelling food for an affordable price.
Other
Brad's Rockin' Jambalaya
Shrimp gumbo and sausage jambalaya with Jack Daniels chicken are a couple of the menu items one will see at this food stand. You also get sides of chips and coleslaw. Bring £5 to £7 if you want to try this Cajun style food. It’s not very good food, however, so unless you are a die-hard jambalaya fan, it may be best to give this particular food stand a pass.
Brazilian Barbecue
Barbecue is delicious. Brazilian barbecue is fantastic. This stand boasts samba chicken (chicken soaked in s spicy coconut sauce) served four ways: skewers, either ¼ or ½ of a chicken over a salad, or chicken wings on a salad. You can get rice, beans, coleslaw or mixed salads as sides for no extra charge as well. Bring £5 to £8 if you want some Brazil BBQ. It's got some pretty good food, so I'd say if you're curious, go for it!
Katsu Curry
Have some Japanese curry, the lucky cat on the table insists! You can get chicken or vegetable curry, chicken salad, miso soup, or edamame. Although I wouldn't bother buying the miso soup, it comes free with every order! You should bring £7 or so, or if you don't have cash, this place takes credit cards.
Ricksha's Flavours
A little taste of China where you can choose between getting chicken or sea bass. Your meal comes with rice, a side salad, and fried onions, all for £6.50. Not much of a choice on the menu, but you do get a lot of food for your money
In short, this market is primarily good to visit for a quick spot of lunch or to try new foods. Although you may have to maneuver through creepy pigeons with soulless eyes and zombie-like office workers, it is well worth the trouble to experience the many fine food options presented at Leather Lane market.
Hop on the Central Line and head to the Chancery Lane tube stop. When you get to the stop, there will be four exits. You want the Holborn exit. If you walk straight down Holborn and follow these instructions carefully, you may be be lucky enough to arrive at Leather Lane market. You will know you’re there when you see a gold and black rectangular statue on the left and an uncomfortably large amount pigeons gathered around an ominous sewage grate on the right. Tiptoe around them so as not to catch their attention and proceed down the road. Eventually, you will stumble across the food market. Leather Lane is a moderately priced market that caters specifically to the middle class office workers who need to grab a quick bite before returning to the monotony of their everyday life.
The busiest day of the market is most assuredly Friday. However, it is busy everyday between noon and when it closes at two in the afternoon. If you want to avoid the crowds, get there between when it opens at ten thirty in the morning and before the afternoon rush. You have the opportunity to visit the market during the week, but not on weekends because there is a suspicious lack of office workers around on Saturday and Sunday. Below is a nearly comprehensive list of the food offerings of Leather Lane along with some of the other oddities that can this market has to offer:
Table of Contents:
- American Inspired Classics
- Caribbean Cuisine
- Italian Food
- Korean Food
- Mediterranean Food
- Thai Food
- Vegetarian & Vegan
- Other Tasty Treats
American Inspired Classics
Boom Burger
Boom Burger is a recently remodeled burger van situated caddy corner to Daddy Donkey. As street food goes, Boom Burger is exactly what a customer can expect. It’s nothing too fancy, just a well-made burger, chips, and a drink. Toppings include the usual lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and red onion. Melted cheese is also provided as an extra for an additional charge. The burgers are freshly made while customers wait in the queue. Some customers complain that Boom Burger doesn’t allow one to choose how their burger is prepared, but overall, the burger joint seems to be a hit within the market. The stand prides itself on quick service and “banging” flavors. With that being said, Boom Burger does get a heavy flow of customers during the lunch rush hour. Although the service is relatively speedy, the sheer amount of customers does cause some delay. It’s location next to Daddy Donkey does hinder business to some degree so the longest a customer will wait for food is approximately ten to fifteen minutes.
Grill My Cheese
Grill My Cheese was founded by Nisha and Nishma, two enthusiastic foodies, in May 2013 after both ladies visited the United States. After sampling many grilled cheese sandwiches at various diners across America, the duo collectively decided that each sandwich was more disappointing than the next. For being such advocates of the grilled cheese sandwich, Americans clearly did not know how to properly cook one, as the women noticed burnt bread and processed cheese. Returning to England, Nisha and Nishma decided to create their own gourmet grilled cheese sandwich chain to show Americans how it should be done. Their mission has been a success.
Located in the market near Clerkenwell Road Side, Grill My Cheese is a customer favorite. Their motto is “More Than Just A Cheese Toastie”. This proves true as the stand offers countless grilled cheese sandwich options, all cooked to perfection using real, unprocessed cheeses. To make the restaurant even better, each sandwich is given a “cheesy” name. The “Baby Got Mac” toastie is a sandwich that has a lot of junk in the trunk, with zesty barbecue sauce and fried onion petals drenched in melted cheese. Another hit is the “Justin Brie-ber” which uses creamy Brie cheese in place of cheddar. Probably the most popular toastie Grill My Cheese offers is the “Jay-Cheese and Bean-once”. This sandwich contains three types of yellow cheese accompanied by spicy baked beans. Customers will be “Drunk In Love” with this flavor combination.
Caribbean Cuisine
Jerkkies
If skeptical about trying Caribbean food for the first time, Jerkkies is the perfect place to start. The friendly staff are willing to offer suggestions if a customer is unsure of what they would like to eat. Many decide to order the simple jerk chicken, yellow rice, and plantains. After asking several customers about their reactions to the food, all said that the portion size and flavor were excellent. Jerkkies is one of the cheapest stalls in the market, but their food and service don’t show it. The more adventurous eaters can sample the goat curry, which is one of the spicier options on the menu.
Italian Food
Pastaria
Choose your pasta: penne or spaghetti, and choose your sauce: pesto, Bolognese, tomato and basil, creamy mushroom, etcetera. You'll find lots of lovely pasta goodness at Pastaria. You can get it topped with chicken for £1 extra. There is always a crowd around this food stand so if you want it, go early. Bring £5 or £6 for these tasty Italian dishes
Korean Food
Food Gangnam Style
Yes, they went there. But they make tasty food, so we'll forgive them. They opened up shop in 2012 on the lane and claim to have a mix of Korean and Chinese food for those looking for a quick bite. Stop by this Korean booth to get a taste of their Well Being Bowls, which have beef or pork with sir-fried veggies, salad, and rice. They also have bibimbap which is a very typical and tasty Korean dish. Bring either £6 or £7 for a taste of Gangnam Style.
Jinja
If you're looking for Korean barbecue or some yummy Korean bulgogi, then stop by Jinja. They offer bulgogi wraps for easy eating on the go, rice bowls with options of spicy and non-spicy meat (go with beef for no spice, chicken for spice) and they even offer a mixed salad option if you're trying to be healthier. The prices range from £5.50 to £7 so it's pretty inexpensive as well. Be sure to stand a little ways back from the booth while they make your food though, those grills are hot!
Mediterranean
King of Falafel
King of Falafel is a small stand located right outside of their larger permanent restaurant in the market. As a popular Mediterranean food option, there’s typically a bit of a wait for service. However, customers claim that the amazing food provided by the stand is worth it. The staff provide free samples of all their falafel options so that customers are able to try what they want before their purchase. The falafel is cooked right there at the stand so it is guaranteed to be fresh. It tastes delicious with the stand’s homemade hummus, sauces, and salads as well. Customers can choose to add halloumi or chicken, but even standalone, the falafel in a wrap is a filling lunch option.
Mexican Food
Daddy Donkey's
As it says in its tagline, it's a kick-ass Mexican grill, and one of the bigshots of the Leather Lane Market. It started in 2005 as a tiny food stand, the first Mexican street food London had ever had. They eventually upgraded to a food truck (or, a burrito-mobile) and business took off. They eventually opened their permanent shop on Leather Lane in 2013 and have been swarmed by the market goers ever since. In fact, they are still so popular that during market hours, in addition to their shop, they have a food truck right outside it to serve more people.
Inside the shop is where you can get burritos, the food truck is where you can get quesadillas. Both give you the option of making it a "combo", where you get a side of chips smothered in jalapeno queso dip. Both the shop and the truck are the same, price-wise, which is about £7 for a burrito/quesadilla, and £1.50 extra to make it a combo. They have various soft drinks and bottled water to drink, and if you want alcohol with your Mexican food, they also sell Corona.
If you can't decide what you want to eat out of all the various food places on Leather Lane, you should start here, at Daddy D's. It's a staple of the market, and really, just has plain delicious food.
Thai
Pavana’s Thai Take-Away
Pavana’s Thai cuisine has been selling delicious food at the market for years. They’ve grown from a small table to a large food van equipped with stoves and a service counter. For those interested in traditional Thai food, such as chicken Pad Thai, Pavana’s is the ideal lunch destination. The stand serves a range of dishes like prawns, stir fry, noodles, and seafood options. Many customers enjoy Pavana’s service and food. Therefore, queues are often long and the wait time could be over ten minutes. Yet, customers always leave the Thai take-away with satisfied smiles.
Vegetarian and Vegan
El Jugo Juice Bar
Want a tasty refreshing drink with real fruit and no added sugar? Stop by this extensive juice bar which has been serving up juice since 1993. They offer smoothies, juice, milkshakes, and loads of mix-ins for "super smoothies", like protein powders, whey protein and wheat grass. As they say, "cows eat it, dopes smoke it, but only the enlightened drink it!"
Super healthy has never been so super delicious. Bring between £4 and £7 to enjoy some amazing fresh beverages. More if you want to customize and add all the different mix-ins. It's all-natural ingredients so you can feel good about what you're putting in your body, so drink as much as you like!
Sunny's Olive Tree
It's not just fried or grilled food here at Leather Lane. They also have a salad bar for those who want to eat healthier or for those who are vegetarian/vegan. Choose a small or large salad (£4 or £5, respectively) and get toppings like carrots, potatoes, peppers, hummus, tomatoes, feta cheese, and olives. They also have veggie sandwiches, if you prefer. They also offer a selection of olives, hummus, fruits, nuts, and feta cheese if you want a bite but aren't hungry for a meal. It's all natural and all healthy. Who said street food can't be good for you?
Quiche and Roast
As the name suggests, Quiche and Roast serves fresh vegan and vegetarian quiches, along with various roasted vegetables. If a customer is partial to these diets or simply wishes to enjoy some meat-free grub, the quiches served are guaranteed to to satisfy the even the hungriest eater. Served in a box and overflowing with vegetable medley, customers will receive a decent amount of food for a reasonable price. Veggies include potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, peppers, tomatoes, green beans, lentils cauliflower, and many more. Customers will get great tasting and smelling food for an affordable price.
Other
Brad's Rockin' Jambalaya
Shrimp gumbo and sausage jambalaya with Jack Daniels chicken are a couple of the menu items one will see at this food stand. You also get sides of chips and coleslaw. Bring £5 to £7 if you want to try this Cajun style food. It’s not very good food, however, so unless you are a die-hard jambalaya fan, it may be best to give this particular food stand a pass.
Brazilian Barbecue
Barbecue is delicious. Brazilian barbecue is fantastic. This stand boasts samba chicken (chicken soaked in s spicy coconut sauce) served four ways: skewers, either ¼ or ½ of a chicken over a salad, or chicken wings on a salad. You can get rice, beans, coleslaw or mixed salads as sides for no extra charge as well. Bring £5 to £8 if you want some Brazil BBQ. It's got some pretty good food, so I'd say if you're curious, go for it!
Katsu Curry
Have some Japanese curry, the lucky cat on the table insists! You can get chicken or vegetable curry, chicken salad, miso soup, or edamame. Although I wouldn't bother buying the miso soup, it comes free with every order! You should bring £7 or so, or if you don't have cash, this place takes credit cards.
Ricksha's Flavours
A little taste of China where you can choose between getting chicken or sea bass. Your meal comes with rice, a side salad, and fried onions, all for £6.50. Not much of a choice on the menu, but you do get a lot of food for your money
In short, this market is primarily good to visit for a quick spot of lunch or to try new foods. Although you may have to maneuver through creepy pigeons with soulless eyes and zombie-like office workers, it is well worth the trouble to experience the many fine food options presented at Leather Lane market.