Jason Donervan celebrates 25 years in Bristol

It’s 3am. You’re walking out of a club on the Triangle after one too many Jägerbombs. You feel slightly unsteady on your feet and hungry.

From a distance you catch a glimpse of the red and blue lights of Jason Donervan. The natural order has been restored.

For a remarkable span of 25 years, Jason Donervan has been an indispensable fixture in the vibrant nightlife landscape of this corner of Clifton.

Strategically located close to where Queen’s Road becomes Whiteladies Road, this culinary gem has garnered a loyal following and entrenched itself as a quintessential element of our city’s after-hours allure.

With its name a homage to Australian superstar Jason Donovan, the mobile food van has become synonymous with late-night cravings and post-party delights.

Jason Donervan has been an unmistakable presence in Bristol night economy for the last 25 years – photo: Milan Perera

Offering an array of kebabs, wraps and other quick bites, Jason Donervan has not only satisfied hunger pangs but also woven itself into the fabric of Bristol folklore.

Turkish-born founder, Mustapha Durdu, better known as Jason to his loyal clientele, said he is delighted and full of gratitude for Jason Donervan’s loyal following.

“We’ve been here for 25 years and we’re so happy with the love and loyalty we’ve received from our lovely customers,” Mustapha told Bristol24/7 on a recent evening soon after service began for another night.

“What’s not to like? As you can see, everything is fresh. Everything is prepared on site. We always get a five-star hygiene rating. The food is tasty and cheap.”

The mobile food van, with its distinctive branding and mouth-watering menu, has become a fixture among late night revellers – photo: Milan Perera

Current prices at Jason Donervan include £3.50 for small cheesy chips or £4 for large cheesy chips: the most popular item over the last quarter of a century.

There are also doner wraps for £6.50, mixed kebab for £7.50, a chicken and beef ‘Jason burger’ for £6, and a hot dog for £4.

Beyond its culinary offerings, the van has cultivated a sense of community among locals and visitors alike. It has become a cornerstone of late-night social interaction in Bristol.

Open every evening from 8pm to 5am, it flashes its red and blue lights like a beacon next to the aptly named Beacon House owned by the University of Bristol, whose students form the bulk of the van’s clientele.

Jason Donervan has become a place of pilgrimage for late-night revellers leaving venues such as Gravity, Pam Pam, and Lizard Lounge who are in need of greasy sustenance.

“Sometimes they have one too many but never rude to us,” said Mustapha. “We don’t sell any alcohol here. They come here just for food.”

Mustapha, who runs the food van with the help of his sons, sees many of the students through almost a paternal gaze. Mobile phones and wallets that have been left behind are swiftly returned to the rightful owners.

Mustapha may have sold the business in 2018 but he still works every night in the food truck that he founded.

Something that thousands of people have wanted to happen also finally took place in 2022 when Jason Donovan himself visited Jason Donervan as part of ITV’s Ant and Decs’ Saturday Night Takeaway.

Watched by millions of viewers on television, Jason Donovan ordered a doner kebab with garlic mayo and chilli.

The long-awaited meeting of Jason Donovan and his namesake – photo : ITV

Students in particular have embraced Jason Donervan as an integral part of their experiences in Bristol. Countless graduates fondly recall the van’s late-night sustenance, marking it as an essential chapter of their university life.

As Bristol’s nightlife continues to evolve, Jason Donervan remains a constant.

Its presence is not solely about food; it enshrines memories, friendships and a shared love for Bristol.

Main photo: Milan Perera

Read next:

• Jason Donovan finally gets a kebab from Jason Donervan
• Two Bristol bakeries join forces in tasty new collaboration
• What are Bristol’s best street food stalls?

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: