Hobson's Fish & Chips Charing Cross — Restaurant in London

I brought my friends who were visiting from overseas here as I'm coeliac and they do gf fish and chips. I've been to the Porchester Rd location before and had a good experience. This time this was the best location for us... but unfortunately the service was teribble.

I'm not sure if it's a symptom of the location and perhaps they treat everyone (especially those with an accent - even if we are Londoners now) like a tourist and therefore a bit rudely, but here are the things that went wrong:

lost our order and had to retake it. In total, they needed to reconfirm our order to us 3 times

the kids wanted to keep the menu, and the server was not having it. When one kid tried to keep the menu, the server grabed onto the other side and said "I want it" as if she was a child herself. Very strange behaviour. Just let the kid keep the menu!

did not have cider so we needed to select a different option but they didn't advise this when we ordered... they came back to tell us

they leant in very close to my face when taking the order or explaining things

they pointed very closely to my food when I asked for confirmation that mine was in fact gluten-free since it didn't look any different to the non-gluten-free dish of the same order, and was not marked by any flags or anything to indicate otherwise

they tried to take my plate away (as I was finished) twice while others were still eating and both times I asked them to wait until the entire table was done. First time fine, but second time was just annoying to have to repeat myself. Firstly, it's polite to not remove empty plates from a table whilst others are still eating. But secondly, we had 2 kids we were trying to get to finish their meals and disriptions like this do not help.

were agressively told twice that service was not included - and it was also mentioned on the bill tray to remind people to tip. Very pushy and condescending in my opnion, as a) I can read the bill myself and b) I do live in London and know how it works. Furthermore, the full amount of service in my view (as a Canadian) should be given when the service is good, and when it is not this should be reflected in the amount of tip given. Just because I have an accent doesn't mean I don't understand the food and beverage industry in the UK!) to the point where frankly, I was motivated to leave less than 12.5% which we did (we left £10.90 which was about 10.5%) but I wish we left less.

Overall, poor expereince and not quite the traditional fish and chips expereince I had in mind. It's a shame given I'm coeliac to have experienced this since I'm already limited as it is as to where I can go for fish and chips. Won't be rushing back to this location anytime soon...

A Memorable Dining Experience Thanks to Layla Khan – The Heart of Hobson’s Fish & Chips

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Hobson’s Fish & Chips near Charing Cross, and I can confidently say that it wasn’t just the food that made the experience unforgettable—it was the exceptional service we received from Layla Khan, a waitress originally from Bangladesh.

From the moment we walked in, Layla greeted us with a warm and genuine smile that immediately made us feel welcome. Her kindness, patience, and gentle demeanor stood out from the start. She wasn’t just doing her job—she was making sure we felt completely at ease, like we were being looked after by a friend rather than just being served.

What truly impressed me was how gracefully and professionally she handled every situation, especially considering that one of my friends was quite picky—asking for multiple changes, extra things, and different requests throughout the meal. Not once did Layla show any sign of frustration or impatience. Instead, she managed everything with a smile, complete calmness, and an incredibly polite attitude. It takes a special kind of person to handle that with such elegance.

She was attentive without being intrusive, always anticipating what we might need next. Her communication skills were excellent, making sure we understood our options, and her recommendations were spot on. She had a genuine passion for hospitality, and it showed in every small gesture—from how she placed the dishes, to checking in at the right times, to making sure we were comfortable and happy throughout our meal.

Layla has that rare ability to turn a simple dinner into a beautiful memory. Her professionalism, sincerity, and heartwarming service elevated our experience to a level beyond just food. It's people like her who make you want to return—not just for the menu, but for the experience.

Thank you, Layla Khan, for being an absolute star and a shining example of what outstanding service looks like. You truly made our day special. We are so sorry we didn’t have any cash tips with us at the time—please know that your kindness did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. We’ll definitely be coming back, and next time, we’ll make sure we come prepared to show our appreciation properly!

To anyone visiting Hobson’s Fish & Chips: if you get the chance to be served by Layla, consider yourself lucky. You're in...

Saph. Where do I begin. What I thought would be a normal night eating fish and chips, has turned into a celebration of hospitality.

There I was. I was looking at the ketchup. The ketchup was looking at me. How could I get it onto my plate? Ah - yes - lid off. Got that right. Now, turned upside down. Ok, good. But then what? Nothing came out. "I swear this doesn't normally happen" I told my partner sitting opposite, as she looked at me with pitying disappointment.

I juggled it around a bit. Nothing. With increased desperation, I swung harder and harder. I was working up a sweat. Come on Ollie, sort it out man. My partner looked longingly at the couple next door. The battered haddock on my plate did the same. I was beginning to lose oxygen, drowning in my private sea of impotence, when out of nowhere a firm hand came out of nowhere - grabbed the bottle - smacked it not unlike you would for a Heimlich manoeuvre - once, twice, thrice - and out it came! Ketchup flowing like the cold magma it was. Gloriously. The haddock smile up at the body attached to this hand. My partner's eyes sparkles with delight. The hand, attached to an arm, attached to a body, attached to the face of Saph. Saph continued her manoeuvre - let it be called the Saph manoeuvre from now on - and I could feel myself being dragged dragged back to the light. Oh Saph, beautiful Saph. Thank you. I can honestly say our meal was improved via your presence.

The fish was good. Portion size good. Service fast, and personal. Mushy peas were fine. Onion rings were also surprisingly crunchy and made me fall in love with them again after so many rubbish ones...