They’ve had to bring in extra support to manage the queues
Love them or loathe them, most people have visited Manchester Christmas Markets at some point. And while many shoppers seek out the old favourites of Bratwurst, Yorkshire pudding wraps and Gluhwein, there have been plenty of new additions over recent years.
This year is no different, with lots of new offerings on the table. French toast is already proving to be one of the biggest hits of the 2025 markets, with the pink stand in Albert Square serving up Instagram-worthy cones of the stuff diced up with an assortment of toppings to choose from.
And there’s other new sweet treats with a build-your-own cheesecake stall from Gorgeous Cheesecakes, as well as a Misu Tiramisu stall, both in Piccadilly Gardens. But there’s one stall that’s returned to King Street and is attracting bigger crowds than ever. After failing to try the goods at Waffle Kart last weekend, when the queue stretched all the way through the alleyway to South King Street, I returned midweek to see what all the fuss is about.
I still ended up queuing for half an hour and if anything I think our story about the queue had sparked even more interest as I could hear people discussing it as I waited my turn. The stall has become a firm favourite over the last couple of years, selling its pickle-brined fried chicken and waffles and waffle prawn toast, which had sold out both times I was there.
The food is inspired by British Chinese takeaway food that owner Maisie Chow was brought up on in her family’s Chinese restaurant in Blackpool. Describing itself as ‘a lil’ bit Chinese’, the deep fried waffle covered in prawn and sesame seeds is Maisie’s dad’s recipe and costs £12.50 a portion.
I don’t like prawns anyway, so I was happy to try the chicken and waffles – doubled up pickle brined fried chicken with buttermilk waffles, pickles and Canadian syrup. At £13.95 it isn’t the cheapest takeaway food around, but you’re getting a decent amount for your money – four big pieces of chicken and four large waffle triangles.
It really is delicious too. I might not like pickles – I asked for mine without – but the pickle brined chicken is something else. The cooking method means the meat is marinated in pickle juice to produce extra tender meat with a subtle tangy flavour and that, mixed with the golden crunchy coating, is what makes it so special.
The small tub of syrup was lovely too, but not quite big enough for all that chicken, so I was glad I bought an extra little pot of hot maple dip to go with it.
Other items on the menu include the chilli crisp chicken sandwich for £12.50, chicken loaded waffle fries for £11.50 and waffle fries for £6.
The stall has become so popular this year that Maisie, who runs Waffle Kart with partner Heather Brown, has been forced to bring in some crowd control.
“We are so so grateful for the queues,” said the 33-year-old. “After the success of last year we were hoping we’d still be busy – but for it to take off like it has, has been amazing. And we’ve even had to employ security to manage the crowds at weekends, that wasn’t on our bingo card for 2025.”
The pair set up the business in 2023 and pitch up at the Etihad Stadium during match days and events. But the markets is their busiest time of year and sees them going through 1,800 eggs and 100kgs of butter in just a week.
“We make our waffle batter daily, from all the good – but naughty – stuff,” added Maisie, whose grandad Kwok Keung Chow founded the place in Blackpool more than 50 years ago after docking in Liverpool from Hong Kong.
“He set up as a takeaway, it was wildly popular with queues down the street so they turned it into a restaurant with the whole family pitching in,” she said. “I worked there when I was growing up and loved it.
“I have family in Hong Kong and New York, so was lucky enough to visit NYC several times when I was younger and have been super inspired by the breakfast/brunch scene over there, especially Pies n Thighs in Brooklyn. We noticed that great chicken and waffles were hard to find in the UK, let alone Manchester.
“We’re so happy we’re getting to share what we love with so many people here.”
The Waffle Kart is also selling branded T-shirts this year to raise money for Ancoats-based homelessness charity Mustard Tree. All proceeds from the £20 tops go directly to the charity.
