52 Cross Street
Manchester
M2 7AR
0161 832 2245

Dining Pub, 3* Heritage Pub

Mr Thomas’s Chop House was founded in Manchester in 1867 by Thomas and Sarah Studd. Chop Houses were aimed at wealthy industrialists, lawyers and traders who used it for business meetings and Victorian style networking. They became less upmarket as time went on and many closed, but Thomas’s was popular right up to the end of the 20th century for business lunches.

I had assumed because of its reputation that you needed a suit and an attitude to dine there and so I didn’t go in until recent years. I’ve since realised that I was being a bit overcautious and have visited with friends for a few meals and even called in just for a pint.

The pub was extravagantly rebuilt at the turn of the century in a lavish Jacobean style in red brick and carved terracotta, with an elaborate gable showing the date 1901 (photos 1 & 2). The long narrow interior has green tiled walls either side and is divided into four spaces with tiled archways (photos 2, 3 & 5). A black and white tiled floor in a diamond pattern runs the whole length of the building.

The bar counter is at the front and the first two spaces are mainly used for drinking (photo 5). The two spaces behind the Chop House sign form the restaurant area (photo 3). Outside at the back on Saint Annes Place is a dining area which has a real continental feel on a summers day.

Food is traditional and served all day but is a step above the average pub menu. The signature dish is their ‘Famous Corned Beef Hash’ topped with a poached egg and bacon. Cask beer comes from Lees and Robinsons and there are usually two from Timothy Taylor.

Just across the road from Thomas’s on Chapel Walk just off Cross Street is Sam’s Chop House. This was founded by Thomas’s brother Samuel in 1868 and it too has stood the test of time. Another famous surviving Chop House in the north of England is Whitelocks of Leeds.

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