A Birmingham chip shop caused a sensation by selling cones of chips for just 20 pence, drawing a huge queue of customers eager to taste a slice of the past.
Viral Offer Brings Back the 'Good Old Days'
On January 14, 2026, a long line formed outside Hot Spot on Yardley Wood Road in Billesley. People had travelled from across the region to get their hands on a plain portion of chips, loaded with salt and vinegar, for a mere 20p.
The initiative was the brainchild of the shop's owner, Nassar 'Uncle Nas' Iqbal. He designed the deal to show younger generations and the wider community what lunchtime treats were like in the 1980s. "I'm not making money today, I'm just bringing memories back," Uncle Nas told BirminghamLive.
Hanifa Rice, 18, was at the front of the queue after seeing the promotion on TikTok. She arrived with a friend over an hour before the sale started. "I saw it on TikTok and when I saw it was nearby I thought it'd just be funny to come around!" she said.
TikTok Fame and High-Tech Chippy
The restaurant, which opened in 2004, has experienced a recent surge in popularity on the social media platform TikTok. Uncle Nas, who has embraced his new-found online fame, greeted customers by saying, "I'm just like you, I just got on TikTok!"
Despite the nostalgic offer, Hot Spot is a modern operation. BirminghamLive's tour revealed a high-tech shop featuring a self-service ordering machine, a counter stocked with colourful milkshake ingredients, and an ice cream machine from another famous TikTok creator, Mr Tee.
Uncle Nas explained his motivation, stating, "I'm just teaching the kids what it was like when we didn't have none of these fancy things. Back then fish was a very big luxury. But at lunchtimes, we would sneak out, go to the local, get some chips loaded with extra salt and vinegar."
Community Spirit and Supply Chain Support
To prepare for the anticipated rush, the shop ordered extra potatoes from their trusted supplier, Copes Potatoes. "Our supplier is a good lad," said Uncle Nas. "He's been supplying me for a couple of years and he does the best potatoes."
The event successfully blended community spirit with viral marketing, creating a memorable day for Birmingham residents. It posed a playful challenge to modern fast-food trends, asking whether simple chips could still compete with options like peri peri chicken or smashed burgers.
