The Burger Mechanic - The English Fish and Chips Shop — Restaurant in Calgary

This review will be based solely on the service and atmosphere as we were unable to eat the food at this restaurant. We visited this location yesterday (11/18/2024).

Both my partner and I have dairy allergies. Typically, fish and chips is a safe option as long as dairy isn't used in the batter. We called ahead and asked to verify their fish and chips were dairy-free. The woman answering the phone answered with a simple "hello" and responded that their fish and chips were indeed dairy-free.

When we walked in, there was nobody in the store and all the staff were standing behind the counter appearing to be doing nothing. We placed an order for 2 plates of fish and chips and 2 beverages. When we tried to find a place to sit, every table was dirty or had garbage on it. We ended up sitting at the bar by the window as it was the only clean surface to eat at.

The cashier brought over some chowder for us while we waited. We informed her we could not have this as it was dairy-based. She seemed concerned about that and took it to a different customer who had since arrived. She returned to our table 5 minutes later to tell us there is dairy in their tartar sauce and coleslaw... Apparently they make their own version of "tartar sauce" which is not mayo-based (like everywhere else) and is instead cream-based. The same is true for their coleslaw dressing.

We told the cashier we would not be eating then and that we had called to specifically ask about this. We asked for a refund and she was completely unable to provide one. The cashier has no idea how to do a refund and instead had to get cash from one of the cooks to give us our money back when we pressed her on the matter.

Atmosphere-wise, this place is gross. As I said, nearly all the tables were dirty or had garbage on them despite no customers being present. The floor had debris all over, especially in the corners. Finally, the garbage bin located near the front door was overflowing with garbage. All this despite there being no customers in the store when we arrived and staff all standing around.

Clean. Learn your menu....

A big letdown was that my Poutine Burger didn't live up to the "Poutine" part of it. It amounted to being your standard burger toppings with the addition of two or three French fries on it. The server did eventually bring out some gravy, so I guess that was supposed to be part of the burger, but this was several minutes after we were served and had already begun eating. The gravy itself was also very thin and runny and overseasoned with something - definitely not the kind of gravy you'd serve with poutine at the very least so I didn't miss out on much.

The burger was not bad - it's a solid burger, you'll get your money's worth - but it definitely didn't feel like what was described on the menu board, which can be potentially problematic if you're allergic to anything because I don't recall seeing those toppings (mayonnaise for instance) were not mentioned anywhere on the board.

Customer service was a little lacking. When we made our order I didn't clarify what protein I wanted - my fault - and the server just assumed I wanted the chicken version and not the beef version without asking. Thankfully they had a screen which showed our order which helped us catch the mistake before it was too late. Otherwise, food was served quickly and without much of a wait besides the previously mentioned matter about the gravy.

Don't reccomend dining in as their dining area is furnished with very cheap Ikea furniture and a mishmash of decoration that doesn't match up with anything.

The locks on the bathrooms are also not the easiest to locate, which may make it difficult to use for those who are blind/visually impaired. The restaurant also had left their roomba in the bathroom I had used as well.

The food is good, but the overall experience leaves much to be desired and you're better off ordering online than planning your day around going...

I recently visited The Burger Mechanic and I had an amazing experience! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by a very friendly and attentive lady who made me feel right at home. The restaurant was clean and well-organized, which added to the overall sense of professionalism and attention to details.

The burger with a free side was amazing. It was cooked to perfection and had a delicious combination of flavors that left me all feeling completely satisfied. I also appreciated the variety of options on the menu, which allowed me to choose burger that was tailored to my individual preferences.

What really stood out to me, though, was the service. The staff went above and beyond to make sure I had everything I needed, and their friendly and accommodating demeanor made my experience even more enjoyable. They were patient with my questions and requests and made me feel like valued guests.

Overall, I couldn't be happier with my experience at The Burger Mechanic. The quality of the food, the variety of options on the menu, and the outstanding service I received all made for an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend The Burger Mechanic to anyone in search of a great and halal burgers and a fantastic dining experience. Five...