• HOME
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Freelance
  • London Restaurants
    • A-Z London Restaurants
    • London Restaurant Map
    • Favourite London Restaurants
    • London restaurant infographic
  • Where to eat?
    • Central London
      • Belgravia
      • Covent Garden
      • Marble Arch
      • Marylebone
      • Mayfair
      • Soho
      • Tottenham Court Road
      • Victoria
      • Westminster
    • The City of London
      • Bishopsgate
      • Farringdon
      • Moorgate
    • North London
      • Islington
    • South London
      • Bermondsey
      • Borough Market
      • London Bridge
      • Southbank
    • East London
      • Hackney
      • Shoreditch
      • Spitalfields
    • West London
      • Chelsea
      • Knightsbridge
  • What to eat?
    • American
    • Argentinian
    • British
    • Chinese
    • European
    • French
    • Indian
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • Mexican
    • World
Gentlemen’s Luncheon Club
El Manze
News 0

Walthamstow eel, pie and mash shop El Manze is granted Grade II-listed status

By Gary Robinson · On October 31, 2013

El Manze

Walthamstow’s El Manze eel, pie and mash shop opened in 1929 has been awarded Grade II-listed status by English Heritage inspectors because of its traditional features and ‘exceptionally complete interior’. Roger Bowdler of the English Heritage, said, “eel, pie and mash shops are a unique feature of the London scene and represent some of our oldest traditions of fast food. This 1920s example with its beautifully preserved interior is among the best of an increasingly rare kind and strongly deserves to be listed.”

From Southern Italy to Bermondsey

The Manze family arrived in Bermondsey from Southern Italy in 1887, and Michele Manze established the first El Manze eel, pie and mash shop in 1902 after realising a need for more substantial food in post-Victorian London. Since then El Manze has served traditional eel, pie and mash using the same recipes and liquor as were used in 1902.

Following the success of the first eel, pie and mash shop on Tower Bridge Road, several of Michele’s brothers followed his lead, and by 1930 the Manze family owned 14 pie and mash shops across London. However, many of these shops have since closed down or been taken over.

el manze 1902


1920’s Architect Herbert Wright

Walthamstow was the 14th shop to open by Michaele’s brother Luigi, who employed the architect Herbert Wright to create the interior and exterior that exists today. Culture Minister Ed Vaizey, said, “the restaurant was a unique piece of London’s architecture and still exists for its original purpose. Pie and mash shops are as intrinsically linked to London as black cabs and beefeaters. L Manze’s in Walthamstow is a unique part of the capital’s heritage and is as relevant and popular now as it was when it first opened in the 1920s. It clearly deserves to be given Grade II-listed status.”

el manze internal

Only 30 traditional eel, pie and mash shops still in existence

It is estimated there are about 30 traditional eel, pie and mash shops still in existence, concentrated in the East End and South East London. Walthamstow eel, pie and mash shop was run by the Manze family until 1970, the three remaining El Manze eel, pie and mash shops can be located at:

87 Tower Bridge Road SE1 4TW
105 High Street, Peckham SE15 5RS
226 High Street, Sutton SM1 1NT

Or visit the El Manze site at: www.manze.co.uk

Cheap EatsFood and Drink NewsFoodiesLondon FoodiesPie and MashPie RoomPies
Share Tweet
Gary Robinson

Gary Robinson

Co-founder and editor of the Gentlemen's Luncheon Club. I love restaurants, cooking, mild bouts of over-indulgence and all things food related. I'm a husband, father, music fan and sports fanatic.

You Might Also Like

  • Events

    Exclusive Interview with Neil Rankin at Budweiser’s Summer BBQ

  • Fine Dining at Exclusive San Pellegrino Michelin Star Pop Up Celebrity chef

    Fine Dining at Exclusive San Pellegrino Michelin Star Pop Up

  • menabrea italian beer taste of london fesival News

    Menabrea Italian beer at Taste of London

No Comments

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Latest Posts

  • Samarkand is London’s Uzbekistan Restaurant

    November 23, 2016
  • Voltaire Bar Review

    November 23, 2016
  • One of best steaks in the City

    October 21, 2016
  • Vivat Bacchus is an unapologetic haven for meat and wine fans

    October 8, 2016
  • Blend with Bordeaux Workshop

    September 17, 2016
  • Patrick Williams Eat Soul Food Stall

    September 11, 2016
Avatars by Sterling Adventures
London Food Blog

London food blog

Welcome to our London food blog. As we gradually eat our way around London, we'll bring you London's latest restaurant reviews and tales of general foodie indulgence.

Foodie tag cloud

Beer Cheap Eats Cocktails Food and Drink News Food Festivals Foodies Game London Food Events London Foodies Michelin Star Pop-up Seasonal cuisine Steak Tapas

SEARCH

© 2017 Gentlemen's Luncheon Club. All rights reserved. About Us | Privacy Policy |Terms and Conditions |RSS Feed | Sitemap