The proprietor of a much-adored brand has declared “there is no more room for us in Liverpool”. Nabeel Tabarik, hailing from Preston, is the mastermind behind one of the city’s most beloved establishments, Nabzy’s. The 38 year old launched his empire back in 2016 on Leece Street.
Fast-forward to today, and it requires no introduction with thousands of social media followers, a devoted following amongst students, 14 locations from April this year, and the seal of approval from several high-profile celebrities.
Renowned particularly for its chicken and pizza, the company recently announced it will be expanding into South Road in Waterloo, reported the Liverpool Echo.
This comes after already having outlets established in the likes of Norris Green, Anfield, Manchester and Chorley.
The founder said: “We started a long time ago as just kids, really. We started opposite the Bombed Out Church and rocketed from there.
“The rest has been history really but throughout all the years, the people have always remained for us. Everybody has a very important role to play. I’ve always wanted to do business. I’ve always been interested in it, I worked at my dad’s place with my four brothers when I was a teenager.
“But I never thought now we’d be here today. It never works out like that, you never plan it but you just keep going, putting the hard work in and then it just starts growing.
“We were on four sites for many years, but the interest just came, and then we were able to open more. When celebrities and influencers start taking a like to your brand, the whole city gets behind you.
“The first really was Sadio Mane. I knew him on a personal level. It was unbelievable, he used to come, park his G-Wagon outside, walk straight through and ask for a half-pound cheeseburger meal. The guys were gobsmacked, asking ‘is that really you?’. He used to take the red salt home with the wing spice and garlic sauce.
“From there, the list just went on. But one thing that stood out to us was when Amelia Dimoldenberg did her first Chicken Shop Date outside of London, here. She did it with KSI. She said she needed a chicken shop on her social media and the amount of comments saying ‘Nabzys, go to Nabzys’, it was crazy.”
Reviewers have given high praise to the chain.
Youtube channel, The Gourmet Lads said on their video review: “The chips were really nice. The coating on the chicken was better than KFC. It didn’t have that greasy film on it and it was cooked better.”
The Food Review Club called it some of the best fried chicken in Liverpool and rated it 7.5/10.
On the video, the presenter said: “It had lovely fried chicken. The price range was also good but it was lacking a little bit of star qualities that some other chip shops we have reviewed have got.”