National Junk Food Day: Celebrate with Wolverhampton Dining Club

It’s National Junk Food Day, and there’s no better week for it. This weekend, after four months of waiting, Digbeth Dining Club [DDC] is returning to Wolverhampton as a part of their 10-year anniversary celebrations! The event will take place in Bantock Park Gardens on Saturday 23^rd July 2022, from 12 noon – 7 pm. But, if you’ve got your eye on a popular street food vendor, we’d recommend heading down there sooner rather than later as booths do sell out. With over 4,000 people expected to attend, Wolverhampton Dining Club is set to be a day to remember.

For most standard DDC events you can simply walk in for free, but for special events, DDC does run ticket sales and they do sell out! Ticket entry for this event costs £3 per adult or £1.50 per child, with under 12s entry being free. This price includes the booking fee – not bad for a day of access to some of the best street food vendors in the region, plus a variety of bars and entertainment.

10 Years of Digbeth Dining Club

For those not yet in the know, Digbeth Dining Club is a popular street food pop-up with regular events as well as two permanent locations in Hockley and Longbridge. The purpose of DDC is to highlight high-quality local and independent street food vendors, with multiple vendors being invited to each event for attendees to purchase food from. Now, 10 years on from the initial launch as an event and venue operator in 2012, DDC has transformed the Midlands into a vibrant street food scene, winning multiple awards along the way. As a part of their celebrations over 15 pop-up events are taking place across the Midlands, so come see what all the fuss is about!

What’s on Offer? Something for Everyone!

Savoury

Street Souvlaki

Is it all Greek for you? Traditional Greek BBQ Street Souvlaki offer kebab skewers of marinated and seasoned meats as well as grilled halloumi. Mixed skewers include all three options with chunks of chicken, pork, and halloumi. Or, if you’re not a fan of skewers, the Omega Platter has these three options, plus sausage and fries. Their fries come in both regular and cheesy varies with a choice between seasoned fries, feta-topped fries, or the cheesiest option, halloumi fries.

Spaghetti Junction

If Italian is your favourite, then Mama Mia this vendor is for you. The self-named Pasta Sisters are cooking up fresh, hand-stretched pasta, but that’s not all. Cheesy garlic focaccia bread, deep-fried spinach balls, and super saucy pasta, they have it all. Pasta options may vary but some fan favourites include pesto, carbonara, and a classic tomato sauce. The pasta is hand stretched to order, so you can enjoy your pasta with a show!

Phata Phat

Two worlds combine with Indian-style poutine by Phata Phat. From butter chicken poutine to lamb keema loaded fries to a vegan cauliflower option, these are fries with a twist. They also offer curry bowls with your choice of carb – either classic rice or masala fries. As an extra side, there are even Punjabi seasoned fried chicken wings topped with sauces like Tamarind BBQ, Achari Mayo, Indo-Chinese Chilli, and Mango Naga.

Patty Freaks

Winners of Britain’s Best Burger 2018 at the street food awards, Patty Freaks never fails to surprise and delight. Peanut butter, caramel Stroop waffles, doughnut buns, Japanese milk bread, honey butter buffalo sauce, cinnamon crunch cereal, or candy floss. What won’t they put on a burger? They also have strictly savoury burgers as well as an option for ‘Plain Jane’ and a range of sides.

Fat Snags

Not just any old hot dog. Massive sausages, in freshly baked bread, finished with all sorts of unconventional sauces and toppings. The Fat Tony is a pizza style dog that shows off what Fat Snags do best, with marinara, mozzarella, cheddar, oregano, and crispy onions. Their range of specials swap out regularly, but whatever showings they have on offer, there’s no doubt you’ll be spoilt for choice with unique options on the menu board.

Cleopatra’s Kitchen

Food worthy of Egyptian royalty, Cleopatra’s Kitchen serves shawarma bowls with rice or flatbreads served with salad and a choice of sauces. Options include the Cleopatra (chicken or lamb flat bread), the Pyramid bowl (chicken or lamb), and the Pharoah (falafel pitta or bowl, veggie/ vegan option). Or, if you can’t pick between chicken or lamb, you can get a mix of both. For handcrafted and authentic food, including fresh baked Arabic flatbread and Egypt’s famous tabbouleh salad, head to Cleopatra’s Kitchen.

Disco Fries

Loaded fries with creative names? Nothing better! From Limp Brisket to Satay Night Fever to Lasagne Del Ray the team at Disco Fries are experts in elevating the humble French fry to a whole new level. There’s no shortage of toppings, sauces, meats, themes, celebrities, and puns for Disco Fries to choose from. For loaded fried that are piled high, Disco Fries may be the one for you.

That’s Mature

These toasties are monstrous, with a cheese pull that stretches for days. Even the basic 3 cheese comes with a bonus mozzarella stick. They offer classic options like ham and cheese, spicy pepperoni and cheese, or pastrami boy which is reminiscent of a Reuben. They also offer rotating specials, like chorizo mac n cheese, BBQ pulled pork, roast in toast, Philly cheese steak, and fish, chips & mushy peas – to name a few. They’ve even done a Jaffa cake toastie! We have no doubt they’ll be serving up something spectacular between two slices of toasted bread this weekend.

Brum Mi

Bahn mi meets Brummie at this East Asian street food spot. Whether you’re in the market for the Traditional Vietnamese sandwich this vendor is named for or something a bit different this menu is surely one to watch out for. Their options usually include Char Siu pork, chicken, seitan, and cauliflower, so there are options depending on your taste or dietary preferences. Wings and bowls also come with a huge range of sauces that can be traditionally authentic, spicy, or a little bit sweet.

Leave it to Esmie

Caribbean food at its finest. Vibrant and tasty, Esmie’s kitchen is serving up classic Caribbean meals with rice and peas, fried plantain, and a choice of fillings. Fillings may include classic jerk chicken or curry mutton as well as a few vegan options like BBQ jerk soya, a curry mutton dupe, or chickpea and potato curry. Or there are less traditional burgers and burrito options stuffed with the same great food. Why not grab a fried dumpling as an added extra to dip?

Su Casa

If you’re a fan of Spanish cuisine, then Su Casa can deliver! Tapas goes street food with this vendor, offering Spain’s most popular dishes straight from their booth. They also serve Spain’s national dish, Paella, often in both a veggie and meat lover’s option. The most popular version of this dish is Chicken + Chorizo Paella, so expect to see a big pan. After, why not wash it down with some Sangria for an authentic Spanish experience.

The Seafood Shack

Not into meat, but not veggie either? The Seafood Shack has pescatarians covered. Sub rolls stuffed with crab, crayfish, king prawns, and lobster, topped with handmade Mary rose sauce – a seafood staple. Other offerings include oysters topped with Bloody Mary, Shallot vinegar or Sicilian Lemon Gin & Tonic granita – your choice. There are also clams or even caviar to try. Most seafood options can be cooked on the BBQ. For something a bit different, cooked and topped to your liking, pop into The Seafood Shack.

Paneer Wrap Co

Vegetarian and vegan food based around paneer, the wraps by this vendor are stuffed full of huge chunks of paneer, with your choice of sauce or marinade. Flavours include a yoghurt-based tikka, a ginger, chilli, and cumin spicy option, or a mix of the two. Paneer can come wrapped up or on a tray, the choice is yours. If you’re mad about cheese, then give Paneer Wrap Co a go!

Sweets

Urban Cheesecake

For over-the-top cheesecakes drenched in sauce and topped with everything from biscuits to whole chocolate bars. These cheesecakes are perfectly themed and often aptly named with a clever pun in tow. The creativity of this tasty dessert is showcased by the best seller “Guardians of the Galaxy”, featuring Galaxy bar pieces, smashed Galaxy ripple, and chocolate ganache.

Cookie Mumster

If cookies are more your thing Cookie Mumster specialise in deep cookie pies and deep-fried cookie dough. Cookie pie slices come in a variety of flavours, stuffed with everyone’s favourite cakes and chocolate. Their cookies also come as bars, ice cream sandwiches, or pots of deep-fried cookie dough. Ice cream can also be added or enjoyed on its own – a perfect treat for the summer.

Plus, drinks, entertainment, DJs, kid-friendly content, and more vendors to be confirmed!

It’s National Junk Food Day, and there’s no better week for it. This weekend, after four months of waiting, Digbeth Dining Club [DDC] is returning to Wolverhampton as a part of their 10-year anniversary celebrations! The event will take place in Bantock Park Gardens on Saturday 23^rd July 2022, from 12 noon – 7 pm. But, if you’ve got your eye on a popular street food vendor, we’d recommend heading down there sooner rather than later as booths do sell out. With over 4,000 people expected to attend, Wolverhampton Dining Club is set to be a day to remember.

For most standard DDC events you can simply walk in for free, but for special events, DDC does run ticket sales and they do sell out! Ticket entry for this event costs £3 per adult or £1.50 per child, with under 12s entry being free. This price includes the booking fee – not bad for a day of access to some of the best street food vendors in the region, plus a variety of bars and entertainment.

Find out more here

Check out our blog Great Places to Eat in Wolverhampton