Popular burger spot Sloppy’s Bar and Kitchen has opened its new city centre venue today, Friday 21 August.
The much-loved restaurant closed its Woodthorpe venue last month, and has been working hard to get their new site on Castlegate open, which marks a return to the city centre for the business – as Sloppy’s first started as a kiosk in York city centre in 2018.
Now, its back, and opened its doors from 3pm today.
The new venue on Castlegate is in the former home of the Clucking Oinks chicken shop, which closed in May, but its stall at Spark is still open and thriving.
Sloppy’s Bar and Kitchen was co-founded by partners Molly McGrath and Leon Sledmore. YorkMix chatted with Molly ahead of the relocation opening to find out more.
“We’re super excited,” said Molly. “We’ve always wanted to end up back in the city centre, and when this opportunity arose, we couldn’t say no.
“It’s just so exciting, and we’re really ready and raring to get going.”
The process of transforming the location was “hard work. We had all the team involved and they probably hate us and never want to pick up a paintbrush ever again!
“But we all worked super super hard, and we’re so thankful for everyone who came and helped. Our staff were just brilliant throughout, even though it was long hours of painting and cleaning and eat, sleep, repeat.
“It was stressful but we did it all ourselves, so we’re pretty chuffed.”
Sloppy’s had made a home at Acomb Wood Shopping Centre in Woodthorpe since November 2022, but had always had the ambition to return to the city centre.
“We’re still the same restaurant, same food, same drink, same customer service,” said Molly.
“But I think the excitement that people have shown of us coming back into town really makes us feel really proud of what we’ve built – and the fact that we’ve kept such an amazing platform of followers and fans of the food through the years of us being passionate in what we do.”
And burgers can still be found at Woodthorpe! Popular burger company TT Burgers, which had a van outside The Fox in Acomb, has moved into the vacant spot, in what is their first bricks-and-mortar venue. “He’s doing some amazing food as well,” said Molly. “Really, really good burgers.”
For regulars of Sloppy’s, you can still expect all their signature smash burgers, small plates, loaded fries, craft beer, and cocktails.
Small plates include frickles (£7), corn ribs (£7), and halloumi fries (£8), and highlights for the signature beef burgers include the Trufflepuff (£14), with blue cheese, smoked bacon, and truffle mayo, and the Dirty Northerner (£12.50) with confit onion and beefy ketchup.
There’s also chicken burgers, veggie burgers, wings, and a variety of dipping sauces – all crafted by chef Leon.
“I hope people appreciate the transformation because we’ve very much put our stamp on it,” said Molly.
“We hope people enjoy the vibe, people feel comfortable, and we just can’t wait for those first customers to come through the door.”
Sloppy’s Bar and Kitchen is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays. It’ll be open 12pm to 9pm on weekdays, and on Fridays and Saturdays the kitchen will stay open until 10pm.
Booking is recommended for the busier periods, but “walk-ins are always welcome.”
Find out more about Sloppy’s at their Instagram, and book your table here.
Take a look at the new venue in our gallery below.
Gallery
