Scran in Sunderland: Lost restaurants and takeaways

The ordeal of a first Vindaloo, Eartha Kitt's hankering for fish and chips - and an unusual Biryani. Walking tours guide Ian Mole remembers some of the places on Wearside where we used to eat.

[@stewartw.9151]

Nice video Ian! I remember a few of those places from the early 70s - Biz-Bar, Pinnochio's and I think, The Melting Pot! But as I recall it the Melting Pot was then an Indian restaurant at the top end of Blandford Street? They did good Indian food, and it was a nicely appointed room. Biz-Bar was a hangout for many young teens in the 1960s even. Pinnochio's did a great Canneloni and me and my girlfriend - now my wife for the past hundred years - went there often in the evenings, but I remember it being about where Chillino's is in your video, although I cannot swear to that!

[@billyf4]

The Vine Grill was positioned where the Cooper Rose pub is now. In the early 1960's I went in every Monday lunchtime taking advantage of their student discount while I was on day release from my apprenticeship at the Echo. The restaurant was upstairs and a feature was a large organ played by a chap called Vance Clayton whose trio was a popular turn in the local social clubs. Unfortunately the Vine Grill closed when I believe it failed a kitchen inspection. One of my favourites was the hot potato man who stood on the corner of Caslaw Bros in Bedford Street. A bag of steaming hot potatoes and salt screwed up in dark blue greaseproof paper. DELICIOUS!!!

[@keithedmundson2318]

Maw's pies😢

[@johndublyoo2553]

Seem to remember an Indian restaurant called the Keralla just around the corner in the street behind the Wheatsheaf, did a mean Vindaloo.

[@georgianrooms]

I've been to the Bis Bar and Pinnochio's. My favourite food was a pork dip from Ibbotsons....

[@paulmorrison4983]

Pepe's in pallion was a popular restaurant in its day in the 80's and early 90's Always looked out of place in st lukes terrace

[@commonman131]

Cawthorne's pasties and and the Dip shop a couple of doors down.

[@nutter-world]

The cafe next to crowtree was amazing. Haway, there's no excuse for violating a bacon sandwich with mayo 😂

[@nutter-world]

Your making me hungry man 😋

[@leekirtley7234]

Fastline, underneath Debenhams now. Long gone😢. Chilli and chips, absolutely delish😅😅😅

[@BigBull177]

Hotline

[@dervdave]

The Somali on Hylton Road not far from the Railway Tavern

[@paulinedixon3490]

Ian. You talk about the books by Nancy Revel. The Shipyard Girls. Do you know if the places she writes about have any real significance to her. One of the girls Gloria came out of the Royal. Infirmary. She gave her address to the taxi driver and it was my address. Do you know if it was just plucked out of the air or did it mean something to her. I’d be interested to know.