Four Bristol-Based Food Chains That Won't Let You Down

As a foodie on a budget, moving to Bristol is like winning the lottery.

In addition to a treasure trove of independent restaurants of all cuisines, the city is home to a bunch of original chains that serve consistently good-quality, good-value food. 

Red pepper & feta falafel hummus bowls with extra tomato cucumber, red cabbage and three bean salads from Eat a Pitta - original photo by Kyra McClarnon

These are my four go-to food chains (in no particular order) that always hit the spot:

1. Eat a Pitta

Conveniently located in both Broadmead and St Nicks Market, Eat a Pitta offers a range of mediterranean-inspired pitta wraps and bowls. Their signature falafel is perfectly crisp on the outside, and can be paired with halloumi, aubergine, and other veg options, or enjoyed alone with their rich, creamy hummus and vast salad selection. One bowl is enough to fill you up and you can hit your five-a-day all at once. 

As their food is made fresh each morning, they also offer Too Good To Go, where you can collect any leftovers before the venue closes for roughly £4 a bag. Bargain.

2. Pieminister

Booking a table at the Pieminister in Broad Quay is essential almost any day of the week, which is testament to how mouthwatering their pies are.

There is every flavour combination you could want - from classic chicken and mushroom to tangy tomato and quinoa - and they have an eclectic mix of side dishes; the deep-fried oyster mushrooms are a must. They do vegan pies, gluten-free pies, filo pies, cold pies you can take home for later, and they all have great names too - we love ‘Kevin’. 

Their takeaway is also fantastic - they package everything separately so nothing gets cold or soggy. I wish we’d found them sooner.   

3. Taka Taka

Originating in Greece and now only available at locations in Bristol, Bath and Bournemouth in the UK, Taka is an ideal Greek takeaway food chain, particularly because their Bristol locations are open until 2am. If you haven’t tried gyros fries after a night out, you’re missing out.

As in all fast-food places, the food is simple, but with Taka it’s also consistent. My go-to is the halloumi wrap, and for less than £8 I’ve never been let down yet. 

4. Low & Slow Barbecue*

There’s a constant flow of drivers collecting food for delivery from Low and Slow, for very good reason. Serving up slow-cooked, locally-sourced pulled pork, beef brisket and chicken thigh, this is the spot for succulent, smoky and generally good-value meat.

Available in buns and box meals paired with mac and cheese, Texas toast and other flavourful sides, you get a solid portion and can mix-and-match with homemade sauces too. We love the pickleback mayo pulled pork fries for a hearty lunch. 

Love a Bristol food chain that I’ve missed off this list? Tell me your favourite spots for a high quality, low budget meal in the comments !

*I know that technically Low & Slow isn’t a chain as they only have two venues, but I’m including it here because of the fast-food style of service they do. And because it slaps.