Pomodoro was not on any list. We found it the way most good takeaways get found on a van trip: hungry, walking around an unfamiliar town at the end of the day, looking for somewhere with a short queue and a clean counter.
It was late afternoon in Southport, with the light starting to go. Craig and I had been out since morning and wanted something quick to take back to the van. After a slow wander through town we came across Pomodoro, and it looked tidy enough from the outside to warrant stepping in.
Inside, the first impression was how clean the place was. It sounds obvious to call out, but on the road you learn to notice it. A spotless counter and unhurried staff tend to say more about a takeaway than the menu board does.
What we ordered
I went for a Chicken Kebab in Nan with a portion of Cheesy Chips. Craig had the Mixed Shish and a Chicken Tikka Kebab. The total came to just under £20, which felt fair for the amount of food we walked out with. We waited about ten minutes, which is quick for anywhere making kebabs properly rather than reheating.
Back at the van
The walk back to the van was short, and the smell coming out of the bag made it feel shorter. When we opened everything up, the portions were more generous than expected. Both kebabs were heavy with meat rather than padded out with salad to make the weight look right. The chicken was tender, the mixed shish was properly seasoned, and the salad was fresh and still had some crunch, which matters once everything has been sitting in a bag for a few minutes.
The one disappointment was the Cheesy Chips. By the time we opened the box, the cheese had firmed up into a slightly rubbery layer, most likely because it had travelled. That is a fairly normal takeaway issue rather than a reflection of the kitchen, but it is worth noting if you plan to walk any distance before eating. Chips travel well. Melted cheese on chips does not.
The verdict
We did not take any photographs. We had not planned to review it, and we were too hungry to remember until the food was gone. But both of us agreed, without really needing to discuss it, that these were some of the best kebabs we had eaten, and that alone felt worth writing down.
Pomodoro’s menu goes beyond kebabs. They also do pizzas, burgers and wraps, which gives you some flexibility if you are travelling as a group with different appetites. Based on our single visit, the meat and the preparation are the things to lean on.
If you are passing through Southport
Pomodoro sits centrally on Union Street, so it is walkable from most places you might park near the town centre. It works well as an end-of-day stop: order, walk back, eat in the van. If you want to enjoy the chips at their best, eat them first and the kebab second. Or skip the Cheesy Chips and put that £ into more meat.
Address: 12 Union Street, Southport PR9 0QE
Phone: 01704 500822
Website: pomodorosouthport.co.uk