From the critically acclaimed to household names, these former pop ups started with humble beginnings and have grown into something bigger…
1. Patty & Bun
It may surprise Patty & Bun fans to know that this burger empire started out as a London pop up. Founder Joe Grossmann collaborated with Street Kitchen in Battersea back in 2013 before setting up his first permanent residence on St James’s Street. Now with 9 locations across London, crowds flock to get a bite of their original burgers.
What they’ve been up to during lockdown
Patty & Bun led the way with their DIY Home Kit menu which won them Time Out’s Best DIY Kit in their lockdown awards. 
@pattyandbun
2. Pizza Pilgrims
Brothers, Thom and James Elliot, came up with their street food idea over a few drinks at the pub in 2011. After building a 650kg stone oven in a tiny three-wheeled van and not knowing anything about making pizzas, they went on a 6-week pilgrimage around Italy to perfect their authentic pizza recipe. Returning to London, they set up Pizza Pilgrims at Berwick Street market, selling some of the best pizza in all of London. Fast forward to today and Pizza Pilgrims have 13 pizzerias across London and a site in Oxford.
What they’ve been up to during lockdown
Aside from serving up their usual takeaway menu and Pizza in the Post home kits, the guys at Pizza Pilgrim have been busy working on charity collaborations. In January, they teamed up with Samaritans to help bring the gift of pizza to those who have been self-isolating, working hard or just in need of a pick me up. Every Tuesday, 250 DIY Margherita pizza kits were given away in a triumphant effort to connect with the community. Find out more @pizzapilgrims.
3. The Cheese Truck
In 2014, founder Matthew Carver converted his 70s ice cream van, Alfie, and embarked on a mission to promote British cheese with the most irresistible grilled cheese sandwiches in London. A few years later, Matthew successfully launched a crowdfunding campaign to open his first permanent restaurant, The Cheese Bar, in the the infamous Camden Stables Market.
The Cheese Bar is London’s only cheese-focused restaurant and there are plans in the pipeline to open another site – The Cheese Barge in Paddington Central.
What they’ve been up to during lockdown
If you love cheese like us, you’ll be happy to learn The Cheese Bar are offering an array of cheese-orientated packages, including Virtual Cheese & Wine Tastings led by their Head Cheesemonger, a Fondue-It-Yourself cook at Home Kit AND British cheese boards and gift sets delivered straight to your door via their online shop.
4. Poco Tapas Bar
Poco started out as chef Tom Hunt’s touring festival food stall in 2004, serving charcoal grilled fish, meats and wraps to hungry revellers. It was also how Tom tested the feasibility of his sustainable and ethical ethos. Following its success, Tom and his team took a step further and set up their first cafe in bricks and mortar in the heart of the vibrant community Bristol’s Stokes Croft.
Their tireless efforts in ensuring they’re sustainable from reducing their food waste to sourcing local and ethical produce awarded them Best Sustainable Resto 2016/18, OFM Best Ethical and Crumbs Mag Best Casual Dining! Tom is also founder of Forgotten Feast, a Social Enterprise working on projects throughout the UK to revive our cooking heritage and help reduce food waste.
What they’ve been up to during lockdown
Poco’s Finish At Home Tapas has been carefully crafted meaning their legendary sustainable Tapas feasts are prepared by Poco’s chefs for customers to add the finishing touches to and assemble at home! Check out @pocotapasbar.
5. SMOKESTAK
David Carter, founder of SMOKESTAK, launched his meat lover’s concept onto the London street food scene in 2013. Popping up at festivals and Street Feast sites over the years, SMOKESTAK opened its first permanent restaurant site in Shoreditch. The beautifully designed interior inspired by a smoker offers the perfect setting for a delicious feast.
What they’re up to during lockdown
London residents can preorder their feasting boxes each week for weekend deliveries. We highly recommend trying their DIY Home Kits which are available for nationwide delivery. But be quick as they sell fast!
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