Baileys — Restaurant in London

We visited here about a week ago. One can not visit London without having fish and chips. Given every restaurant, bar and pub serves fish and chips, it became a little defeating to force oneself to eat at 16 pound "traditional" fish and chips knowing full well that you were getting a meal traditional in name only.

Bailey's has a strong internet presence and it deserves it. Everything I read said "this is the place". Definitely off the beaten path and a good 30 minute tube ride out of the London centre, this chip shop is a small neighbourhood restaurant. You could miss it as there are no other shops or restaurants nearby. Do not miss this place.

First: the price point. Everything here is priced in a much more sensible manner. A medium cod will cost you about 5.50 pounds. Then there is the quantity. The medium cod is enough for two to share. You get two generous fillets of cod that are as long as the average fore-arm. Now the quality: I am lucky to live in Vancouver Canada where fish and seafood are both exceptional in quality and taste. This is one of the best cods I have ever had. Without the batter, the cod is light, sweet, and melts in your mouth. I dare say this is fresh fish, but I did not ask. Even the batter is crisp, but not too heavy. Coming here and having the cod alone is a remarkable steal of a deal and worth the visit.

We tried the chips. I have to admit, I found them a tad bland. I am willing to chalk this up to the North American fries vs. British chips phenomenon. These are two different animals. However, the chips were cooked perfectly, crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside and a nice, thick cut. We also had the coleslaw which was delicious. Creamy and the nice tartness of vinegar.

Everything is a la carte here. Unfortunately this includes tartare sauce and ketchup (30p each), but you are served enough to get you through the meal. The sauce list is extensive, so feel free to add mango or guacamole to your meal if you are so inspired. They were out of the curry sauce, which seemed popular, and we had the gravy instead. It was fine, but I really wish the curry sauce was available.

Of note: the service was great and the owner is very hands-on with his operation. He was checking on everyone, knew some of his customers by name and even handled a telephone complaint from a take-out order like pro. He offered his apologies and invited the customer to come in for a reimbursement and a gherkin on the house. It speaks volumes about a place when the owner takes that much care of his brand.

I chatted with him briefly after our meal and he is a very welcoming individual who clearly is humble of his...

This is 5 Star on both quality and value. A rare combination in London. I have missed the retirement of Costa's Fish 'n Chips in Hillgate Village (Notting Hill) where I have gone for 20+ years but in truth, Baileys is better. An incredibly unassuming Shop on the Dawes Road (what isn't?), narrow but functional and efficient because of the agility of the Staff. The first few times I have eaten there the cod was at least 15" long and has to be folded to fit in the bag! They use good quality cooking oil changed daily so there is no batter after-taste that you get with 98% of Chippies. The fish itself was super fresh, shimmering ivory colour, chunky, firm. Just doesn't get better than that and at £ 4.95 is terrific value. The chips though not as good as the fish are still pretty up there. Eating in, the San Pellegrino was 70p whilst my local convenience store charges 99p so again, great value. A terrific neighbourhood Chippie but on my last two visits a romantic couple from Paris and a family from Mexico so it is clearly on some Travel Guide hit-list. Worth a 30 minute trip across Town? Definitely. Most local Restaurants pay Staff the minimum wage, if you are good, not here, they pay what you are worth - admirable in these times. I really should be sampling the rest of their menu but in truth I am struggling to get beyond cod &...

See my previous reviews below. I am pleased to say that on my last visit, Baileys was back to glory.

This was a top quality fish and chips place then with an ownership change the quality dived. I don't know if it now has new owners again but they have rediscovered the magic that made them special in the first place. Good quality tasty fish, full fluffy chips. I am pleased to be able to go back again and to recommend them with confidence.

Well done to the establishment for raising the standard.

Previously:

I have had to, in good conscience, downgrade my review from 5 stars to 3. The quality of the chips took a nosedive, with way too many shavings and wedges. The taste also decreased somewhat, I am not sure why. Possibly the oil? In any case, after struggling to convince ourselves that it was us, not the chips, we finally gave up on Baileys as our Sunday treat.

Bear in mind that, having stopped eating there I will not now know if they return to the previous standard.

"Some of the best fish and chips London has to offer. But don't just take my word for it. See other accolades they have won." That was the...