Haché, the independent burger restaurant on Flixton Road in Urmston, is marking its second anniversary with a refreshed menu, a new electronic darts room, and a £5 charity burger day. Founded by chef Zak Mackett, the venue has grown from a small rented kitchen at BrewChip, a wine and craft beer bar, into a three-floor destination for dining, gaming, film nights, and family entertainment.
From Grandma's Kitchen to a Burger Empire
Zak Mackett's culinary journey began during childhood visits to his grandmother in Southampton, where he learned to bake cakes and helped her cater for funerals. "I had a really difficult time at school. I’m profoundly dyslexic and dyspraxic, but when I was at junior school, there wasn’t much understanding of either," he said. "My biggest escape was visiting my grandma in Southampton. She taught me how to bake cakes, and I’d help when she catered for funerals."
His passion for food was further ignited by a teacher, Mrs Da Silver, who arranged for him to work at a local restaurant during his GCSE years. He later completed an apprenticeship at Manchester’s biggest hotel under Stuart Duff, working in everything from three-rosette restaurants to pubs serving microwaved meals.
After building experience, Mackett started Haché as a takeaway from a small rented kitchen at BrewChip, quickly gaining a following before moving to a permanent home at 46 Flixton Road. "The idea first came about when another Urmston burger institution closed down. There was still a demand, and I wanted to be the one to fill that gap," he explained.
New Features and a Destination Venue
The restaurant now spans three floors, featuring The Bunker, a private gaming hideaway with apocalyptic décor, consoles, big screens, and dedicated gaming seating. It is available for private hire for children's birthday parties and adult gatherings, with exclusive use, a party host, food, and drinks included.
A new electronic darts room has been added, with two electronic dartboards offering various game modes for groups of six. The venue also has a function room accommodating 20-25 guests, complete with a 75-inch television and surround sound, plus a free-to-join Film & Food Club with regular screenings.
Refreshed Menu and Charity Burger Day
The new menu, launching on Wednesday 28 October, focuses on smashed burgers. Highlights include The Butchers Cut with Oklahoma-style onions and rump steak, The Waco with slow-cooked Dr Pepper BBQ brisket, smoked streaky bacon, and blackberry and bourbon mayo. Chicken and plant-based options include The KFC with sticky gochujang glaze, sriracha mayo, and crispy rice noodles, and Plant the Flag featuring a Moving Mountains burger with vegan cheese and caramelised red onion. New sides include cheeseburger spring rolls, maple and bacon mac and cheese, and Mexican corn ribs.
On Thursday 22 October, from 3pm until 9pm or until sold out, Haché will serve its signature cheeseburger and fries for £5, with all proceeds going to Little Green Sock Project and Project 33, two local charities supporting families in difficult circumstances. "Seeing Haché grow from a small rented kitchen into somewhere people can eat, play, watch a film or celebrate together has meant so much," said Mackett. "It feels fitting to mark our second birthday by supporting two local charities through our £5 burger day for a second year running."
Haché is located at 46 Flixton Road, Urmston, Manchester, M41 5AB.
