Review: Northern Soul eats at Northern Soul

There’s a grilled cheese place in the Northern quarter of Manchester called Northern Soul. As a member of the Northern Soul team, I felt it was my duty to try some of our namesake’s sarnies. For sentimental reasons of course, not because the delicious aroma had been tempting me in for weeks.

Even though I’d been hankering for some cheesy goodness since the shop opened in early January, I’d delayed going because it was always busy. This was the first time that I’d seen it quiet. Considering that I live just round the corner and walk past it several times a day, that’s saying something. The queue is always out onto the street.

And for good reason. You may be thinking ‘what’s so exciting about grilled cheese?’ but believe me, these beauties are far superior to the triangular toasties your mum used to concoct in the toastie maker.

Big, gooey and packed full with a variety of fillings, these sarnies are just the ticket if you’re looking for a lunch that won’t leave your tummy rumbling. And they are all served with dill pickle and homemade purple slaw, which is sweeter and less sloppy than coleslaw. If you’re not in the mood for a sandwich there are soups, a selection of chilli, macaroni cheese and pulled pork up for grabs – scrumptious.

The menu changes every week so there’s always something new to try. I tried a honey ham special which was gorgeous. I also purchased a spicy chorizo sandwich but can’t give you the low-down on that because my partner gobbled it up before I had the chance to ask for a bite – which I suppose is a sign that he enjoyed it!

Northern Soul Grilled Cheese is a tad expensive at about a fiver per sandwich, but it’s no more expensive than a good quality sit-in café, and the food is just as good. Its location (in Manchester’s Northern Quarter about a minute’s walk from Market Street) is ideal if you’re out shopping and in need of a snack.

The staff are dead canny (Geordie translation = lovely people who are happy to have a chat with their customers) and there is a constant stream of great Northern Soul tunes to listen to while you wait for your food.

The only niggle was that it took a while for the food to be cooked. I wasn’t in a rush so this wasn’t a problem for me, and the staff were very apologetic, but it may be a bit annoying if you’re short of time.

A little tip: they don’t take card payments here but there is a cashpoint about ten paces away. Oh, and try the Oreo milkshake, it will be one of the best you’ve ever had.

By Stephanie Alderson

Rating out of five: