Fat Pat’s Manchester is no longer a hidden hatch. What started as a quiet Portland Street operation is now one of the busiest lunchtime collection points in the city centre.
If you search Fat Pat’s Manchester, you are probably asking three things. Where is it. Why is there always a queue. And is it actually worth the wait.
After visiting twice in the past few weeks, once during peak lunch and once midweek early evening, here is a clear breakdown of what Fat Pat’s Manchester does well, where it struggles and who it suits in 2026 Manchester.
Location and setting near Portland Street
Fat Pat’s Manchester operates from a small hatch just off Portland Street, within walking distance of Piccadilly Gardens, Chinatown and Oxford Road. It is not in the polished Northern Quarter strip and not on Deansgate. You could easily miss it if you were not looking.
There is no big frontage. No dining room. No branded exterior competing for attention. Just a compact alleyway space, an old fish and chip shop sign above, and a printed notice telling you to order online.
At peak times the queue stretches along the narrow side street. Office workers from nearby buildings stand next to students who have come down from Oxford Road. Delivery drivers wait with phones in hand. Tourists passing through Chinatown often slow down to ask what everyone is queuing for.
The location feels practical rather than glamorous. It suits the model. Fat Pat’s Manchester is built around collection, not lingering.
How ordering at Fat Pat’s Manchester works
There is no traditional counter service. To order from Fat Pat’s Manchester, you go online, select the Manchester branch, choose a collection slot and pay in advance.
On busy weekdays, the earliest available slot can be thirty to sixty minutes ahead. At peak lunch hour it can stretch further. That means Fat Pat’s Manchester rewards planning rather than spontaneous walk ups.
When your time arrives, you join the group outside, ring the bell and a staff member hands your order through the hatch. The handover itself is quick. The waiting happens before you arrive.
This system keeps service efficient but can frustrate anyone expecting typical Manchester takeaway flexibility. If you are used to grabbing late night food Manchester style without planning, this is a different rhythm.
What is on the menu at Fat Pat’s Manchester
Fat Pat’s Manchester focuses on US style sub sandwiches rather than classic burgers. The menu is short and deliberate.
Typical options include:
• Philly cheesesteak style sub with beef, onions and melted cheese
• Hot honey fried chicken sub with a crisp fillet and sticky heat
• Meatball and cheese for full comfort mode
• A vegetarian aubergine based sandwich
The bread stands out. An 8 inch milk roll that is soft but strong enough to hold heavy fillings. It is sturdier than the buns used in many Manchester burger spot kitchens.
Portions are large. One sub comfortably feeds one very hungry person or two sharing at lunch. The hot honey chicken has proper crunch and heat. The cheesesteak is rich and heavily seasoned.
Sides are limited to seasoned fries and drinks such as lemonade. No long list of extras. No desserts. Fat Pat’s Manchester keeps the focus tight.
This is heavy food. Sauce runs. Cheese stretches. By the final few bites you know you have eaten something substantial.
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Prices and value in Manchester in 2026
Fat Pat’s Manchester sits in the mid teens for a sandwich. Add fries and a drink and you approach the upper teens.
For context, many Manchester burger spot venues now charge similar for a loaded burger and fries. In that sense, Fat Pat’s Manchester is priced in line with the wider city centre market.
Value depends on how you approach it. If you share a sub, the cost feels reasonable. If you order solo with sides, it becomes more of a treat lunch than an everyday habit.
Students along Oxford Road may see Fat Pat’s Manchester as an occasional splurge. Office workers around Portland Street and Deansgate appear to treat it as a regular rotation option.
Atmosphere and crowd
There is no indoor dining. The atmosphere at Fat Pat’s Manchester is the street itself.
On my lunchtime visit the alley was packed. Lanyards from nearby offices. Hospitality staff on break. Students filming clips for social media. Delivery riders lined up along the kerb.
Traffic noise from Portland Street cuts through conversation. The queue shifts every few minutes as new time slots come up.
On a dry afternoon it feels energetic. On a cold or wet day it feels exposed. There is no shelter and nowhere to sit. Most people collect and leave quickly.
Fat Pat’s Manchester functions more like a high demand deli hatch than a traditional restaurant.
How Fat Pat’s Manchester compares to other Manchester burger spots
Manchester has embraced American style comfort food for years. From stacked patties in the Northern Quarter to smash burgers near Deansgate and loaded fries in Ancoats, the market is crowded.
Fat Pat’s Manchester stands slightly aside from that. It targets the same audience but through subs rather than burgers.
Compared with sit down Manchester burger spot venues, Fat Pat’s Manchester offers less flexibility. There is no space for large groups. No long relaxed meal. No late night extension into early hours.
Where it competes strongly is flavour and portion size. The fried chicken sub delivers proper crunch and heat. The cheesesteak leans unapologetically rich.
The trade off is grease and logistics. It is not subtle. It is not convenient if you dislike pre booking. It is not designed for families with buggies or anyone needing accessible seating.
For many Manchester residents, that directness is part of the appeal.
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Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear concept
- Strong portion size
- Good bread quality
- Efficient collection system
- Central Manchester location
Cons
- Limited opening style
- Online ordering only
- Long waits at peak times
- No seating or shelter
- Heavy and greasy for some tastes
Fat Pat’s Manchester succeeds because it does not pretend to be something else. It focuses on big sandwiches and fast turnover.
Is Fat Pat’s Manchester worth it?
Fat Pat’s Manchester is worth it if you are specifically craving a large, flavour packed sub and are happy to plan ahead.
It is worth it if you work in Manchester city centre and can time your lunch break around a collection slot.
It may not feel worth it if you dislike queues, prefer lighter food or want a sit down experience with table service.
For first time visitors exploring the Manchester food scene, Fat Pat’s Manchester is a conversation starter. For locals, it becomes either a regular fix or a once in a while indulgence.
Where Fat Pat’s Manchester fits in the wider food scene
Greater Manchester has shifted towards specialist operators over the past few years. Smaller menus. Focused concepts. Online hype translating into physical queues.
Fat Pat’s Manchester fits that pattern. It does not chase the full restaurant model. It does not stretch into cocktails or brunch. It stays in its lane.
In a city where new openings arrive every month across the Northern Quarter, Ancoats and beyond, consistency will determine whether Fat Pat’s Manchester remains a fixture or fades after the initial buzz.
For now, the queues suggest sustained demand rather than short term novelty.
Final verdict from a Manchester local
Fat Pat’s Manchester has built a following by keeping things simple. Large subs. Tight operation. No unnecessary extras.
It is not the most comfortable food experience in Manchester. It is not the cheapest. It is not the easiest to access on impulse.
But it delivers on flavour and portion size, and in a competitive city centre market that is often enough.
If you are curious about the hatch with the queue on Portland Street, Fat Pat’s Manchester is worth trying at least once. Whether it becomes part of your regular Manchester rotation will depend on how much you enjoy your lunch bold, busy and slightly chaotic.
FAQ:
Where is Fat Pat’s Manchester located?
Fat Pat’s Manchester is based just off Portland Street in central Manchester, near Chinatown and within walking distance of Piccadilly Gardens and Oxford Road.
Do you have to order online?
Yes. Fat Pat’s Manchester operates through timed online collection slots. Walk up ordering is not the standard system.
How much does Fat Pat’s Manchester cost?
Expect mid teen pricing for a sandwich, with a full meal pushing towards the upper teens.
Is Fat Pat’s Manchester open late?
Fat Pat’s Manchester mainly covers lunch and early evening. It is not structured as a late night food Manchester venue.
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