Considering how many of us head there on holiday, and how iconic the cuisine is, Manchester doesn’t have nearly enough Greek restaurants for our liking. It’s something Rafail Konstantinidis and Lee Watkins looked to fix when they opened Taka Taka Mam back in 2021, bringing the exceptional flavours of Ellas to the good people of North West England through ingredients sourced directly from the motherland and recipes that have been passed down thought the ages. And when you’re talking about a country and food culture that dates back to ancient times, that’s saying something.
“Our mobile kitchen is more than just a place to grab lunch, it’s where you can try out traditional Greek Souvlaki and Gyros created by Greek chefs using traditional ingredients imported directly from Greece. We cook traditional giving our food a unique authentic taste,” the team proudly tell us. Then they reel of a list of USPs. Like the fact they only use corn pita bread, catering for people with a gluten intolerance. And all food is prepared as it should be, over red hot charcoals.
Beyond that, the Tzatziki, seasonings, and namesake taka sauce are all made on site, and you’re unlikely to find anything like them elsewhere. Or at least not this side of Othonoi, Greece’s most westerly point. Already picking up a stack of awards and accolades — Best Greek Street Food Kitchen 2024, not to mention some rather gushing write ups here at Finest— Taka Taka Mam is one of those incredible examples of people spotting a gap in the market and throwing everything they’ve got at filling the hole. And with each mouthful, we’re increasingly glad they did. Coming soon to a site near you, and regularly catering for corporate events and clients, it should be clear by now you need this joint in your life.