London’s food enthusiasts endure waits of up to two hours for the viral chopped chicken Caesar salad wraps at CZER, a new spot tucked inside a Mayfair convenience store.
From Inspiration to Instant Hit
Mairi Livsey, 28, launched CZER after craving a chicken Caesar wrap she spotted on social media from Los Angeles. The trend exploded online earlier this year, inspiring her to fill the gap in London’s scene.
While unemployed and browsing a cafe menu in January, the idea struck. ‘I suddenly found myself desperate for a chicken Caesar wrap,’ Livsey recalls. She paused amid the cafe buzz, convinced the concept would succeed.
Teaming up with partner Marius Baltatis, they secured a website domain, set up social accounts, and designed branding within 24 hours. CZER opened on May 9 and sold out daily within six days, earning rave reviews as ‘divine’ and ‘perfection’ online.
Simple Menu, Endless Customizations
The menu features two options: the Classic CZER with romaine lettuce, roasted chicken breast, croutons, parmesan shavings, and signature CZER sauce; or the Picante version adding jalapenos and spicy sauce. Diners customize freely, often tossing in crisps from the store like Doritos Chilli Heatwave, McCoys Salt & Vinegar, or even a boiled egg.
At £13 each, the oversized wraps attract long lines despite the price. Social media amplifies the buzz, including a video from influencer Eating with Tod shared with 2.4 million Instagram followers.
Organic Hype and Community Buzz
Livsey credits much of the success to organic growth. ‘We started posting on TikTok before confirming our space, building a beautiful community,’ she says. The fanbase skews toward women, a refreshing shift in the male-dominated food industry. ‘I get messages at 11 p.m. that make me cry.’
She anticipated queues: ‘I could picture people lining up, because I would.’ Yet the scale surprised her. ‘No small business expects 100 people on a Monday morning opening.’
Managing the Madness
Limited counter space allows only three staff to chop and assemble at once, fueling two-hour waits. They sell out daily after fresh morning sauce batches from Good Food Studio and chicken roasted by nearby Oven or Nothing salad bar.
‘We refuse frozen items to maintain quality. If it’s not perfect, we stop serving,’ Livsey insists.
To ease waits, staff provide 30 umbrellas for rain, free sweets, and a dedicated line manager who chats with customers, updates wait times, and warns of low stock.
‘The hype is real, but we’re not encouraging hours-long queues. We’ll be here in a few weeks,’ Livsey advises.
Signature Pairing: Crispiest Diet Coke
Complement your wrap with a £1 ice cup of crushed ice ‘marinated’ in the freezer for 24 hours, poured over a store Diet Coke for ultimate refreshment.
CZER operates daily from 11 a.m. inside The Mayfair Food Fayre.
