Tarts & Titbits

I’m usually the type to write great reviews for places I’ve visited, but I’ve got to make an exception here I’m afraid. I’ve spent the last few weeks completing some work in York, and have frequented Tarts and Tidbits on Gillygate plenty of times during my visit. I can’t argue with what others are saying-​that the prices are incredible and that there always seems to be a queue. However… has anyone taken an actual good look at the place? It’s filthy! To start with, the floors are vile and the shelves dusty. Once you get to be served, you get a great view of a dirty long fridge holding the cheeses and dried up tuna, with scraps of meat and God knows what dropped willy nilly on veggie foods. The meat always looks a bit… grey if I’m honest– best avoided. If you’re squeamish, don’t watch your sarnie being made. Trust me. And on your way out, you might be unlucky enough to catch a glimpse of the kitchen in the back room and see random dried up meats left on surfaces, flies hovering everywhere and a total lack of cleanliness or order. I’ll admit that the food is delicious and cheap, and that at first finding a bit of paper baked into my bread (yes, really) didn’t put me off, but I couldn’t take seeing the piles of scrap food waiting to be brushed up on the floor or questioning just how long a pork pie had been left out for the sake of a three quid lunch.

Tarts & Titbits is an odd name. I almost never remember it so that I can recommend it, and for some reason I end up walking by it about half of the time… until I get to their window which is full of eye-​catching delights.
This is the best sandwich shop, full stop. Great, innovative combinations, but all of the regular sandwiches too. They do a full range of delightful deli salads and always have something that I’ve never tried on offer. The service is brisk and cheerful, and Phil, the wonderful owner of the shop is always there, remembers what you ordered, and will take the mickey out of you once he gets to know you. You get a lot for the shockingly low prices as well!
Tarts & Titbits also offers a lot of local treats that you can’t get in grocery stores.
I can’t recommend this little gem enough. Worth a 10 minute walk out of the usual tourist areas to Gillygate.

A fab deli a little way out of the city centre, but worth the wander.
Stocked to the rafters with local products, interesting takes on store cupboard basics and some exotic treats too.
The business is run by a very friendly chap, Phil I think, who is both fantastic crack and impeccably polite. Arrive at the right time and he may offer you a sample and ask for your opinion — more lemon? more salt? bit of chilli?
Through the week they do a hot special at lunch, normally two I think, at least one veggie. Today’s delight was fruity Jamaican veg curry, served with nutty brown rice, some spicy spuds and a sprinkling of bombay mix for the princely sum of £3.
I’ve also had sausage casserole with buttered greens, bbq-​ed spatchcock chuck and warm poached salmon with capers to name but a few.
There is also a multitude of sarnies on offer, along with salad boxes, made using the deli meats etc.
And then when you fancy something sweet there are the homemade pastries, cakes and general tasty bits. The strawberry and rhubarb muffin I had the other day was exceptional.
I’ve also heard rumours that they do outside catering, and I know they’ve made mince pies for a friends Xmas party.
I just wish it was a bit closer to my office…