The much loved chippy in the heart of Harehills that doesn’t disappoint

When Leeds Live launched I moved to the city from Hull in 2018.

I knew Leeds city centre and Headingley relatively well from various concert visits over the years, but not much of the suburbs. I ended up living in a lovely flat in Harehills, which I know is an area that can be divisive, somewhat unfairly, but I loved living there for a few years.

Potternewton Park was a great place to visit, especially on Carnival weekend, and Harehills has a wonderful diversity. Another treat I enjoyed was the very special chippy situated in the heart of the community. Of course, I’m talking about Mother Hubbard’s on Harehills Road.

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Before covering a recent show in Chapel Allerton, I had a little time to kill and after a few years, I made my Mother Hubbard’s return. Given that it’s a Yorkshire legend, I’m sure you’re familiar with Mother Hubbard’s, but for the uninitiated, the regional chain of snack shops launched in 1972 in Bradford.

Along with its Leeds branch, you can find the fryer in Huddersfield, Wakefield and Halifax. But the takeaway and eat-in restaurant in Harehills was ‘my’ Mother Hubbard’s.

For an added boost of nostalgia, when I went in to place my order I spotted a familiar, friendly face behind the counter from my old chippy days. The menu features traditional offerings of fish, sausages, pies and all the trimmings you’d expect – along with a children’s menu.

I know I’m going to get a lot of teasing now, but instead of fish, I opted for chicken pieces (£4.45) to go with my chips and gravy (£4). As they were being prepared, I soaked up the aesthetics of Mother Hubbard’s, with the walls covered in historical newspaper headlines (often charting England’s footballing failures) spanning the chain’s decades.

I’m originally from Manchester, and I’ll let you in on a little secret, the much-vaunted “leftovers” aren’t actually a thing on our chips. But I’ve long since been won over to their importance. So of course, I asked for them to be added to my chips and gravy.

I could have chosen to eat inside with plenty of seating available but as I had time on my hands I got in my car and ate at Roundhay Park, again another small step back in time for me. Added to the leftovers, the fries and thick gravy were all I remembered while the chicken pieces were succulent. It was a bit of Thursday night bliss.

I felt a little guilty when I saw a running club making the rounds while I ate. My mother Hubbard’s tea was too good to dwell on for long.

I walked back to my car (which had that unmistakable smell of chips) and thought about what a wonderful part of Leeds I lived in.

Mother Hubbard’s, 52 Harehills Road, Harehills, Leeds, LS8 5PB. Call 0113 236 1000 or visit the website.

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