Yahoo News I tried The Hoppings street food that's had people queuing up at the Town Moor
The Hoppings 2024 officially opened on Friday 21st of June. As the Town Moor saw many flock down on opening weekend to get involved in the family fun- and accompanying soaring temperatures- the street food vendors were also proving very popular.
Many visitors had noticed one particular food stall had a continuous queue since opening - Acropolis Greek street food - a Geordie favourite
Acropolis- who opened a new store in the Metrocentre earlier this year as part of the brands expansion- are renowned for trademark gyros. The award-winning, independent family company, launched in the North East in 2016, and have since expanded from its first base in the Newcastle Grainger Market, to pop up events and a Jesmond branch too.
I was eager to try out some of the raved about authentic Greek street food, and as a vegetarian, I was keen to see if there were many options available.
As I arrived on a sunny afternoon just as the crowds began to grow, as suspected there was a queue forming.
For a pop up stall there was a fairly large and varied menu on offer, prices ranging from £4 for extra chicken/£4.50 for fries, to £16 for the most expensive item on offer, an Acropolis (yee-ros) platter filled with chicken, pita, chips, salad and sauce.
Three gyro wraps were also available- chicken, halloumi and grilled veg and halloumi- all priced at £11, as well as a kids box on offer for £7, ensuring there is something for everyone's taste buds.
Many have commented already that it is reaching the pricey point when considering the current cost of living crisis. However the portion sizes are big!
I decided to try the Grilled veg and Halloumi gyro wrap, which at £11, was filled to the brim with chips, salad and sauces too. The airy flatbread was filled up with a mixture of vegetables including courgette, mushroom, as well as onions, peppers. Like the portion sizes, so too was the size of the pieces of light and crispy halloumi, generous! I really enjoyed the seasoning and spice added to the chips, and the combination of flavours made the wrap so tasty and filling.
They were all out of Greek feta cheese and olives- which is both a good and bad thing depending on whether or not you like olives (I personally love them!)- but shows just how popular Acropolis had been.
I then opted to try a dessert, Baklava, which is definitely for those with a sweet tooth out there! It was my first time trying Baklava from Acropolis and it didn't disappoint.
Made from finely crushed walnuts, coated in butter, cinnamon and a lot of sweet honey, topped with thin light layers of filo dough pastry. It was a simple but well made authentic Greek dessert. The portion size was again huge, one serving could easily feed two people.
Overall I had a great foodie experience at The Hoppings, enjoying the sun and listening to some live music. Notably the price of my wrap had increased from previous Acropolis pop-ups but with so many food options available at The Hoppings competition for custom is high. I was definitely full and impressed with my meal, and recommend you get down there and try it out yourself too
