A West Derby bar renowned for its breakfasts and burgers is in the running to be named Britain's best takeaway.
The Blackdoor Bar and Bistro has made it to the final round of JustEat's Best Takeaway in the North West award thanks to its five-star breakfasts, burgers, loaded fries and spicy chicken wings.
The eatery, which has a 5.3 out of six star rating on JustEat, opened its doors just a year ago after owner Joe Worrall, 34, decided to swap his paintbrush for pots and pans.
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Joe, a dad of one, said: "I was a painter and decorator for years. After Covid-19, I was put out of work for two years and fancied something different. A friend of mine works at an estate agents, so when the lease went up, he got in touch with me and I decided to go for it."
Joe and his partner Sian Carberry quickly got to work renovating the property - but ran into trouble when it came to finding a name for their new business venture. Luckily, they found inspiration from an unlikely source.
Joe said: "We were stuck for a name close to opening - so we painted the door black like Downing Street, and decided to call it the Blackdoor.
"At the moment we're focused on breakfasts, full Englishes, eggs Benedict, and we have a burger menu with homemade smash patties and chicken burgers. It just seems to have taken off.
"At the beginning it was difficult. It was all brand new to us and we were learning every day - you've got to make mistakes to learn. Now we feel we're quite competitive and we're improving every day."
The Blackdoor Bar and Bistro is the only Liverpool-based takeaway to make the shortlist for Best in the North West. It faces tough competition from Biskits and Panc Foods in Manchester, Vegan House Foods Ltd in Chester, and Cafe at the end of the universe in Warrington.
The winning prize is £1,000, which Joe has promised to donate to Zoe's Place Baby Hospice if Blackdoor comes out on top.
He said: "When I was in school, we had a visit to Zoe's Place. I'll always remember it, I was only about 12 at the time. We went in for a day and met all the kids there. Now I have a three-year-old son of my own, it does pull at your heartstrings. With us being a West Derby business, and Zoe's Place being in West Derby, it seemed like the right thing to do.
"Obviously, it would be boss to be owner of the best takeaway in the North West too!"
Voting for the JustEat's Best Takeaway in the North West award ends on Sunday. The winning takeaway will be entered into the national awards, and invited to an awards ceremony hosted by comedian Paddy McGuinness in February 2023.
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