Manjaros Explained

Manjaros is a restaurant chain based in the north of England that serves a fusion of African and Caribbean cuisines. The spices used in Manjaros' dishes come from Africa and the Caribbean, and some dishes are prepared to showcase these spices. The chain's headquarters are in Middlesbrough, United Kingdom.

History

The first Manjaros was opened in Middlesbrough in 2013.By January 2018 further branches had opened in Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham. In March came a Newcastle branch with Bradford, Glasgow, Huddersfield and Preston also added by end of that year. The 10th restaurant opened in Ilford in February 2019.^[1]

During the English coronavirus lockdown in 2020 Manjaro’s Darlington restaurant opened with a delivery service until lockdown eased when it could open its table service. Post lockdown it took over a bistro, as a third addition to its Tees Valley restaurants and twelfth overall, in Ingleby Barwick.^{[2] [3]} The 13th restaurant opened in Billingham in March 2023. ^[4]

Cuisine

The chain specialises in African - Caribbean fusion cuisine; its website indicates that its food is halal.

Having originated on Teesside the chain has gained a significant reputation for its parmo, a local dish.^[5] Most restaurants also feature a gelato lounge.^[6] Manjaros' dishes are prepared to showcase the spices that are commonly used in Africa and the Caribbean islands. The chain's signature sauce, "Manjaros Sauce", is made from natural ingredients and comes in a variety of spicy flavors.

Incidents

• On 24 December 2017 a supplier was stabbed and killed in the kitchen of the Middlesbrough restaurant by a member of staff. In court it was determined that the deceased had previously reacted violently when his produce was refused on quality grounds; the staff member was acquitted of the charges of murder, manslaughter and two knife offences.^[7]
• A mouse was released in the Middlesbrough restaurant, which was voluntarily closed until Food Standard Agency inspectors confirmed there were no issues.^[8]

Notes and References

1. News: Middlesbrough restaurant Manjaros is expanding to Newcastle - and is taking the parmo with it . 31 January 2023 . Coreena . Ford . Toni . Guillot . TeessideLive . Gazette Media Company . 19 March 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180131223431/https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/middlesbrough-restaurant-manjaros-expanding-newcastle-14228956 . 31 January 2018 . live . dmy-all .
2. News: manjaros poised bring quality affordable food 'famous sauce' darlington.
3. News: manjaros open second teesside restaurant.
4. Web site: Price . Kelley . 2022-10-04 . One of Teesside's best-loved restaurants planning to open new venue . 2023-03-27 . TeessideLive . en.
5. News: Review: Is Manjaros really the King of Parmos? We visit its Newcastle restaurant. Simon. Duke. ChronicleLive. ncjMedia Ltd. 5 July 2018. 20 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20180705161931/https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/manjaros-restaurant-newcastle-parmos-review-14868695. 5 July 2018. live. dmy-all.
6. Web site: Manjaros. Middlesbrough. 21 March 2019. Manjaros.
7. News: Kitchen-hand Efreeqi Siddig cleared of restaurant murder. BBC. 12 June 2018. 20 March 2019. dmy-all. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190320170608/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-44438566. 20 March 2019.
8. News: Popular Middlesbrough restaurant Manjaros given one-star food hygiene rating. 10 November 2017. 20 March 2019. Ian. Johnson. TeessideLive. Gazette Media Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20180303195244/https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/popular-middlesbrough-restaurant-manjaros-given-13877666. 3 March 2018. live. dmy-all.