Winking Willy's Famous Fish & Chip Shop & Cafe — Restaurant in England

I visited yesterday with some of my family to celebrate my birthday. Unfortunately we wasn’t quite impressed.

The first issue was that we was never asked about dietary requirements - which is very common now. So to explain further, three of us had a fish and chips option that came with a pot of tea.

When asking the server what milk had been served us he checked and advised it was whole milk. I immediately asked if there was other options as I am allergic (intolerant) to whole milk. I was advised that no other milk was available and he said I don’t know what I can do for you - which essentially is the worst customer service imaginable.

In 2021 the fact that 1) they use whole milk as default and 2) they had no other milk option was beyond belief.

This doesn’t even cover the fact that if I hadn’t checked what milk had been given I would have been very unwell as I am extra sensitive to whole milk.

Secondly the toilet facilities are dreadful. They need completely renovating to be more welcoming. Especially as I would have needed to establish myself in them, for what would have been an extended time should I have consumed the milk.

Thirdly when our food arrived the chips was luke warm. At this point I had just simply given up even bothering about having a decent meal. I didn’t want to become the extremely needy and picky customer especially with it being my birthday.

Things wasn’t all bad: there was a young lady who took our order and brought our food over that was lovely and we was also able to get NHS discount 👍🏼.

But overall, I don’t recommend and...

With my expensive e-bike parked outside on a very busy pavement, I was keen to keep an eye on it. With a table free right by the window, I moved towards it, only to be told somewhat firmly that I couldn't, as it was for four people. That was slightly odd as the place was emptying out after lunch service. Luckily, close by, a couple were about to leave and kindly offered me theirs.

I was planning to go to the highly recommended Lighthouse, but it was closed until Friday. So, as it was Tuesday, Winking Willy's was the next on the list. I opted for 'Willy's Deal', haddock, chips, mushy peas, bread and butter and a pot of tea for £19.10. To be honest I don't think it was much of a deal, when I added everything up and I also question whether the spread on the bread could be described legally as butter! I left the mushy peas which weren't anything to write home about. The haddock was lovely, as fresh as fresh can be, with a nice crispy batter. (Later at the port, I discovered a Willy's Fish Merchant which I guess is linked). One of the waitresses (they call everyone darling round these parts!) brought me, at my request, lots and lots of tartare sauce. Chips were nice, hot and freshly cooked. Venturing upstairs to the nice and clean loo, I realised that the place is absolutely enormous, so Mr. Willy must be doing very nicely thank you at peak season. When I paid, the table for four at the window was...

We've been coming to Scarborough for many years, my parents ran a B&B for 15 years, every time I visited and went down to the front Winking Willy's was my go to fish and chip shop, normally take away.

We as a family of 6 popped in today and decided to eat in, it was 3pm so the mad rush had been through, but the place was clean and tidy. They were only taking cash! Due to WiFi issues on their card machine, there are ATM 🏧 machines in the nearby amusements, some charge a fee (99p) and some are free (pot luck like the slot machines!)

We all had fish and chips, with a round of drinks (3 kids 3 adults) and it came to £66 💷. A bit expensive I felt, but the quality was exactly what I remembered 👍 so I enjoyed, paid and left happy.

I tried the Skate wing - it was really tasty (don't eat the bones!) But not heaps of fish, so if you're after more Fish than your chips try the standard fish, or chunky monk fish 🐟.

Dining in possible downstairs & upstairs. Good views upstairs if you get the window seat. I couldn't see a lift 🛗 for disabled so I assume downstairs for wheelchair users.

Toilets🚽 available within and they were nice and clean.

Staff were friendly, chatty and helpful ❤️🤩😁

We'll be back again for sure!

Thanks for hosting us 🤩

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