Papas Fish & Chips - Cleethorpes Pier — Restaurant in England

Awful in comparison to what it was like a few years ago. We visited a couple of weeks ago, travelling for hours via train specifically to have fish and chips in Cleethorpes, dedicating the day to a passed loved one who loved fish and chips by the sea here. Prior to visiting, we double checked the allergen list as last year it was all good. Again, like last time, the website clearly stated what food had what allergens present and the member of our group with allergies selected what they could eat ahead of time. Being unusually cautious, they asked at the counter to double check they were safe to eat their chosen items before ordering and lo and behold everything that we thought was safe wasn’t. The fish contains milk, says online it ‘may contain’ traces. No worry, we’ll get something else. Oh the sausage also contains milk, even the plain one, it’s used to ‘bind the pork’ - again should be may contain as per the website. Same for the curry sauce and fish cake. This went on for a while as we queried almost the entire menu, with almost everything containing milk. The only way around it would be to order a gluten free meal which by that point all trust in there being no milk content was lost. Luckily, they weren’t particularly hungry and settled on a small box of chips after being assured they are literally just potato which they quickly discarded when they tried them as, like the rest of us discovered, they are hard and taste undercooked. Now imagine what would happen if somebody with a severe allergy trusted the websites allergen lists, they’d find themselves in a world of trouble. As for the rest of us, we ate less than half of our meals each before throwing them away in disgust and disappointment. The chips as previously stated were practically inedible, the fish was ok-ish once you removed the oil soaked batter, the mushy peas were like salty bullets and the battered sausage was completely inedible and spat out from the first bite. I can appreciate that food quality isn’t going to be as good for takeaway due to the amount of customers but from an award winning chip shop, you’d expect the quality to be miles beyond any of the others on the seafront that cost a fraction of the price. When I compare it to when I first had Papa’s around 5 years ago, it’s hard to imagine how such good food has fallen so far. I’ll be visiting literally any other chippy on my next visit, if I’m getting subpar food I’d rather pay subpar prices. I’d seriously advise anybody with allergies to triple check absolutely everything before eating here, unless you can eat somewhere else, lest you accidentally consume something that can harm...

Think there is mixed reviews on this place, one lot for the takeaway and another for the restaurant. I've used the takeaway a few times over the years and had exceptional food, obviously can get busy at times, so a wait is expected. Tried the restaurant for the first time and everything is horrendous. Seated straight away and ordered straight away. Sat outside and the tables were filthy, food all over the table, chairs covered, floor carpeted in spilt food. Thought it was just our table, but no, it was everywhere. After 65 minutes of waiting a server came to our table with a round of drinks that wasn't ours. After I told him this, instead of sorry, I got a nasty "i wish everyone would stop moving around". Not nice when I'd not moved anywhere and had been waiting for ages in hot sun for our drinks. Time now gets to 75mins and people who came in only 30 mins ago are getting their drinks. Then another couple get their drinks, so I decided to call it a day and get my £81 back. You can't charge that amount for such a rubbish service and expect people to tolerate it by saying "we're busy", obviously you know your busy at this time of year. I'm glad they have put me off going now, because it was getting way to expensive for a family of 4 for some junk food anyway. The standards have fallen, I hope everyone else sees sense and stays away. Go to one of the other 100 chippies in the area, save some money and time to enjoy in slots or on...

Have been here quite a few previous occasions and after this last visit, will NEVER return.

Table was booked for 15:30 and had to wait because "we've accepted a lot of walk ins"....well you should have told them you have tables reserved and couldn't accommodate them, otherwise what's the point in making a reservation? Might as well be a free for all.

We then waited nearly an hour for two scampi starters to appear (I didn't have anything as you were sold out of what I had chosen) and they were both overcooked and unpleasant. Having waited so long, we had to also request the mains be served during the starters as well.

Half my fish was beautiful but the other half was dry and overcooked....I don't even know how that's possible. Chips were very below par and nearly cold but again, didn't have any time to complain as we were going to the theatre.

Sadly had to use the toilet during our visit and they were absolutely VILE. Disgusting. Paper all over the floor, multiple blocked cubicles and urine all over the floor as well. Busy or not, that is shocking and there is no excuse. Restaurant was also filthy, food on the floor and staff not paying attention.

The only saving grace was our server Lauren, who is a credit to your business. She is the only reason I paid the bill as I didn't want to make things uncomfortable for her, so think yourselves very lucky. Whole experience was horrendous and have gone from regular family visitors to...