This weekend, a beloved Chinese restaurant and takeaway in Rochdale is set to temporarily close its doors, prompting a wave of emotions among its loyal customers.
Once known as WowYauChow, the establishment found its new identity as PhatChows after undergoing a rebranding last July. Located in the historic former Rochdale Vintners Co Limited building on Yorkshire Street in the town center, this eatery has been delighting patrons since it first opened in 2019. PhatChows quickly gained a reputation for its unique twist on traditional Chinese cuisine, presenting a delightful array of ‘tapas’ dishes such as Pork Siu Mai, Panko Prawns, and Veggie Wontons, along with popular bao buns, flavorful curries, and hearty main courses.
The restaurant's growing popularity led to the opening of a second location in Altrincham and plans for a third venue in Swinton. However, just six months after reestablishing itself in Rochdale, the owners announced that they would be placing the original site on a temporary hiatus following this Sunday, January 18.
In their statement, the team expressed the need for a break to 'reset and plan what comes next.' They reassured fans that the Altrincham location, situated on Stamford New Road, will continue to operate as usual during this time. The message from PhatChows emphasized that this closure is not a farewell, but rather a momentary pause, with further information about the future of the Rochdale site to be shared soon.
PhatChows stated: "Rochdale Update. This hasn’t been an easy decision, but after a lot of thought, we’ve decided to temporarily pause PhatChows Rochdale after Sunday, January 18. We’ll be open as usual this week, from Thursday to Sunday, and then we’ll pause while we take the time to reset and plan what comes next. If you’ve been meaning to pop in, we’d love to see you before the pause - so reserve your table or order a takeout.
"PhatChows continues at Altrincham, and we’ll share updates on Rochdale when we’re ready. Thank you to everyone who’s eaten with us, supported us, and shown us in Rochdale so far. This isn’t goodbye, just a pause."
This announcement has stirred sadness among the local community, with many taking to social media to express their disappointment. One resident lamented, "Gutted," while another remarked, "This place is SO GOOD!" Another comment echoed confusion over the closure, questioning, "Sorry to hear this. I thought you folks had only recently reopened?"
Typically, the restaurant welcomed guests from Thursday through Sunday, usually operating from 4:30 PM to 9 PM, and from 3 PM to 7 PM on Sundays. It has garnered numerous positive reviews online, with one customer raving about their tofu bao bun, calling it an 'absolute winner.'
Another five-star reviewer enthusiastically commented, "Definitely worth a visit, really tasty food, good service with a blend of modern and informal dining, with a big screen to order your food similar to a fast food outlet, or you can order at your table. The price point is more than reasonable."
A different reviewer added, "Absolutely gorgeous food - best meal I've had out in so long. A warm welcome and felt very comfortable and at home there. Will be 100% going back - and often! Thanks guys, you've done an excellent job!"
PhatChows is located at 3-5 Yorkshire Street, Rochdale, OL16 1BH, and will pause operations after Sunday, January 18.
