Chaiiwala — Restaurant in Birmingham

I am a regular Chaiiwala goer and I usually frequent other branches in Birmingham. I decided today to go to the Alum Rock branch as its closest to my house and I was expecting the same fantastic service and food quality as the other branches. Little did I know...

On entering, I was served pretty quickly. I placed an order for 5 kebab rolls, 1 mogo chips, 1 samosa chaat and 2 chai. While waiting for my food, about 15 people came in after me, all got their orders and left. I kept getting told that my order would be "a few more minutes". In the end, I waited 30 minutes before I actually got my food. Probably would've been faster to cancel the order and drive to another branch (God I wish I had..)

The saga continues..

So I get home (a 3 minute drive away) and my karak chai is already lukewarm... I was disappointed but thought 'meh, at least the food is here!' Warmed up the chai and opened the food. To my disappointment, the mogo chips looked like 6 or 7 pieces of dry cardboard in a cone. And no sight of the sauce that they usually come with, which makes them taste so good! They were so dry I could barely eat one without feeling like my throat was being sandpapered.

I phoned the branch and was told that you have to ask for the sauce as an extra. I was pretty sure this wasn't the case, as I've ordered mogo chips many times from other branches and never had this issue. So I proceeded to look up the menu online. Lo and behold! The sauce IS supposed to come with the chips. Who would've guessed eh... So I then called the store AGAIN telling them what THEIR OWN MENU says and the guy finally agreed that I should've gotten a sauce with the chips. He offered his apologies and told me to come back tomorrow for another fresh mogo chips WITH sauce, free of charge. How generous.. I entertained the idea for about 0.00001 seconds but then figured it wasn't worth the risk of having to wait another 30 mins for substandard food. The kebab rolls were also dry, with the paratha wrap half burnt.

I can't say I'll be returning to this branch again any time soon. Massive disappointment. Save yourself the heartbreak and go to any other Chaiiwala...

I made two visits on the same day and both times I was served by a different member of staff. My morning visit I was greeted by Alisha. She was very helpful and recommended the desi breakfast, it was PEAK 👌🏽. I had ordered a chai already but Alisha said the breakfast comes with one so I saved my money. Overall it was a great experience I even had a second chai whilst there and Alisha brought it over to me.5/5! Food is bang on and yes it can get busy but worth the wait!

Unfortunately my afternoon visit was nowhere near the standards set earlier on in day. I was served by Soneela, she didn’t seem bothered to serve and was more interested in chatting away. She looked half asleep and really no positive energy. I’ve come in as the consumer the basics should be to provide a decent level of service. She rushed to give my chai so could get back to her convo. The lid was broken to which I had to interrupt her conversation and ask for a replacement lid. No apology nothing she just cut her eyes! The guy behind counter provided me a replacement lid but I think it was wrong size. I got halfway down alum rock and found most of the tea all over my jacket! I called up and complained, I was assured to a replacement on my next visit. I turned up couple days later and the guy actually offered two drinks I said no the ones fine. But!!!! That’s soneela was there again. Again negativity at its best, it’s like she pulled a night shift at the sweet centre opposite filling samosas then turned up to work!!! Everyone par her was great. Hence the 4 stars...

If Chaiwala advertised they were firstly giving frozen parathas with their breakfast, I wouldn't have bothered paying £3.55 for an Aloo paratha as I have frozen parathas in my freezer.

Putting the price to one side, I received 3 uncooked and stale parathas which were tough to even break apart, which is appalling and frankly unacceptable. There was barely any aloo in the aloo paratha, which was also burnt.

Given that your chefs do not make fresh parathas, and failed to heat up frozen ones, it's shocking that they couldn't even get that right.

Your extortionate prices do not match the quality of the food you offer your customers, therefore you really need reconsider what you sell as we work hard for our money.

We are outraged as parathas were the essential food item which complimented the curries and shakshuka for our breakfast. It was a waste of time and money ordering from your Alum Rock Branch this morning via JustEat. After spending over £30, I had to resort to cooking breakfast myself and throwing away your food as it wasn't edible. Furthermore we have ended up with upset stomachs.

A kind reminder, if you're charging £1.95 to add a falooda to your Desi breakfast, the least you can do is add the straw in or make it clear the straw is not supplied so an alternative drink can be selected.

1* is not a true reflection of the food and service I received today and I wish I could offer a...