News / Cafes
Family-run cafe to close after 29 years
A cafe in south Bristol is shutting its doors after nearly three decades.
Husband and wife Ali and Saki Bandali, who opened the Hungry Bite Cafe on Ashton Road in 1994, said they were “really sad” to close.
Ali and Saki told Bristol24/7 they have enjoyed the past 29 years “so much”, but said trade has been impacted by the Clean Air Zone and the cost of living crisis.
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The news comes seven months after they closed their curry house Al’s Tikka Grill, which once occupied the same premises opposite Greville Smythe Park in the evening.
Ali and Saki have lived in Bristol for 29 years
“We decided to close down because of the Clean Air Zone came in and the cost of living crisis,” Ali explained.
“The Clean Air Zone has killed us,” Saki added. “We used to get scaffolders, drivers and lorries here, but now we just don’t get them.”
“Look at it, here,” Ali continued, gesturing to the cafe with only three diners in. “It would have been full a few years ago.”
“We raised our prices to cover the rising costs but it wasn’t enough, and otherwise people wouldn’t have been able to afford it.”
The Hungry Bite Cafe used to become Al’s Tikka Grill in the evenings
Looking back on her years of working at the cafe and restaurant, Saki said: “My passion is cooking, and I get a thrill seeing my customers eating my food and they enjoy it.
“I remember my first years I was so nervous I wouldn’t even come up to the front and face customers. It grew on me!”
Hungry Bite Cafe’s final day of service will take place on Friday.
All photos: Betty Woolerton
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