"London's Forgotten Fast Food Revolution"
Eel pies have been a staple of London's food scene for centuries, with eel-filled pastries once being a popular fast food option. M. Manze, London's oldest surviving eel and pie house, has been serving customers since 1902. However, the tradition is slowly dying out as eel sales decline and London gentrifies. The European eel, once abundant in the Thames River Basin, is now critically endangered due to factors such as habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing. Conservation efforts are underway to protect the species and improve its migration routes. Despite the challenges, the proprietor of M. Manze remains hopeful that eel pies will continue to be part of London's culinary heritage.