I include the old place in the city centre and when the business with its longstanding owner and proprietor made quite a revolutionary flit, at that time, to the Gipsyville suburb, well before an out of town location became necessary.
Unfortunately it didn't last much longer at the new place. This may have been down to the previously loyal customers not being able or perhaps now willing to make that trip, about 4 miles out even though they will have been lifetime converts to the Yankeeburger Burgers and fries.
It was a sad sight indeed to see the pink Corvette, a real model, stranded and vandalised on the roof of the building as it stood boarded up before eventual demolition to make way for an Ambulance Depot.
There may not be any physical signs left of that establishment and although the delicious Yankeeburger menu and the memory of the circumstances, which accompanied a visit, whether a night out in the city centre, a family gathering or other celebration, still give a warm, fond, fuzzy feeling there is one important surviving aspect- call it a legacy, a bit of popular heritage, a cultural icon even.
It is, of course, American Chip Spice. For those who do not come from the city of Hull or have not visited long enough to purchase a portion of chips will need to be told about it.
American Chip Spice is an American-style seasoning salt intended for chips, french fries,barbecues,burgers and more!
Originating in Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire in the North East of England today it is most commonly available in chip shops and takeaways in the Hull and East Yorkshire area and has cult status among locals and people that at one time have lived in the area.
For all of the fuss it actually consists of a small amount of ingredients.
In the current health conscious climate that we have descended into the original core constituents of Salt, Paprika, Tomato Powder, Ground Celery, Monosodiumglutamate, Onion and Garlic may be frowned upon. Salt content was reduced through Government Legislation and celery phased out as it caused allergic reactions in some. What other elements may already be on the the radar for a campaign by a celebrity or the like to be banned altogether?
So what does it taste like?
It is a little peppy, like paprika but the exotic chip spice has a more potent taste, importantly without being sweat inducing or suppressing the food on which it is liberally sprinkled. Above all do not be alarmed by its very bright orange hue.
The actual idea for the savoury condiment came from a Hull couple who ran a spice blending company. They had come across the idea of spiced salt and paprika based seasoning, while visiting the United States in the late 70s. The concept was developed at their small food seasoning company, which supplied similar products to butchers and the food service industry both locally and nationally.
It then made its way to Yankeeburger in 1979 and the rest is legend.
By 1991 another food seasoning company existed in Hull, Phoenix Select, which had developed and was producing its very own Chip Spice recipe, which was sold under the name Yankee Chip Spice. Rather than there being a "spice wars" in the city, they hoped to tap into the ever increasing demand in the market for the spice. As chip shops and take-away outlets around the city took to adding Chip Spice to their range of condiments they also began to offer it to their customers. By 1992, there were two rival spice blends in the city.
Both recipes changed over time, as salt was reduced, due to "sodium legislation" and the ground celery was removed, due to its classification as an allergen. Phoenix Select was sold to a global American food company in 2013 and ceased trading in the city, and Yankee Chip Spice was discontinued as a product.
However American Chip Spice from Spice Blenders went on from strength to strength with the brand retained by its developers and now sold in ASDA, Morrison's and various other outlets mainly in and around Hull.
It is set to become an important feature in the forthcoming status of Hull as UK City of Culture in 2017.
Main facts taken from Weird Retro
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