Poor Boys — Restaurant in London

I got: Chicken Tenders £9.95 Boo Fries £4.95

My friend got: Fried shrimp £9.95 Ranch & Louisiana Hot £1

We shared: Fried Pickles £4.95 Chicken Cracklins £3 95

Service charge 12.5%

♡ Pros: • Despite not being able to sit down immediately the wait was only 10 or so mins 3pm on a saturday • Interior has a nice ambiance • Very big portions, I legit could just about eat 1 of my tenders and didn't even finish half of my chips, my friend also struggled • Chicken cracklins were nice but my friend found them too dry/powdery which is also true • Chicken tenders had a choice of 2 dipping sauce combos which was good, I got voodoo reaper & cajun mayo which was spicy • The fact fried pickles existed was good • Staff were nice • Voodoo reaper was a nice sauce but pretty damn hot (duh), the flavour was a like very hot Encona.

× Cons: ° The biggest thing was there were short hairs on the chicken cracklins which we were grossed out about. So it was took off our bill ° My friend was very disappointed with it. I agree, the flavours just don't bang. Its just fried chicken and shrimp, it doesn't feel particularly southern. The fried parts of things arent especially flavoured with cajun mixes or have powders or flavouring on the chicken/shrimp itself. They could do a lot more to boost flavour. ° A few things were forgotton and the order food came out wasnt great. Our cracklins came first, it was a good 20mins by the time our food actually came after. Then after that they forgot our pickles so we had to ask for them again. ° Sauces are £1 each which was annoying, from relooking at our reciept it actually looks like they charged us for the louisiana hot sauce that comes with the cracklins, they forgot it so we had to ask for it? Didnt notice it on the day as we were leaving pretty quick but thats really poor service and not happy about that at all. They forgot more than just one sauce too, so keep an eye on what comes with your meal. ° Boo fries did not smell nice at all, reminiscent of school dinners. I love poutine but all the cheese was basically at the bottom and it felt like very little gravy was put on it. Fries themselves were quite sad thin french fries ° Ranch is an insult to ranch, ranch is tangy, sour and slightly sweet. This one just tasted like dill with mayo, don't get it. Its not Ranch. ° Everything is served in boxes/containers, i'm not sure if its cause nobody can ever finish their food but its not really environmentally friendly. Its just odd and kinda awkward to eat with. ° Fried pickles just werent the one, weren't really crispy, just sad.

Overall, Poor boys have a very good PR team, which does make you hungry. I would not revisit, forgetting items, overcharging us, and dodgy looking hairs on the cracklins =...

Loved it. There are no bookings, so you might have to wait to be seated, but we went on a Saturday evening and didn't queue at all. Firstly, let's not pretend this is anywhere near healthy. Its fried food served in bread with sauce, so those complaining that it's unhealthy clearly haven't understood the assignment. You choose you base - bread, fries, mac and cheese or salad, they choose your topping and finish with your sauce- the whole meal us pick and mix. We ordered 2 po boys, which is the bread version, one buttermilk chicken, and one prawn, which we shared with louisianna hot sauce and blue cheese on the side. Also added one portion of cajun fries to share. The portions are huge, so this was more than enough for 2 people - starters definitely not needed. The chicken sandwich had 4 large tenders in it, while the prawn version contained 8 massive sweet prawns. Each came with lettuce, tomato and gherkins (pickles) Both were super crispy, succulent, and truly delicious, served in a pillowy soft bun. The fries were crispy and spicy with a lovely dirty sauce over the top. All the food was fresh and really hot. Also had 2 pints of goose ipa. I wasn't a fan of the disposable food containers or plastic cups and think this needs addressing, but it makes it very easy for takeaway if you've got leftovers as they just bring you bags and lids and you can request a plate it you want to. There is upstairs seating, too, but it is a spiral staircase, so it's not suitable for everyone, but there is an accessible loo downstairs. I'm really not sure how people are spending £100+ for a meal for 2 unless they seriously over order, ours was a very reasonable £48 for the 2 sandwiches, fries and drinks including 12.5% service - mains are between £13 and £21 each depending on the filling/topping (the short rib is the most expensive with cauliflower being the cheapest), sides start at £4 for plain fries and the beers were £7 a pint. The platters easily serve 4 if not 6 people, so per person, it's really good value (less than £10 per person). I'll...

Poor Boys Southern Soul in the Heart of Kingston

Tucked away just off the riverside in Kingston, Poor Boys is the kind of place that knows exactly what it is and absolutely nails it. From the moment you walk in, there’s a laid-back, Louisiana-style swagger to the place exposed brick, neon signs, bluesy tunes humming in the background. But it’s the food that does all the real talking.

Let’s get straight to it: the burnt ends are nothing short of phenomenal.

Rich, smoky, and glazed to sticky perfection, these little hunks of slow-cooked heaven are the crown jewel of the menu. Each bite is the perfect balance of crisp caramelised bark and juicy, melt-in-your-mouth beef. They’re indulgent, bold, and deeply satisfying exactly what burnt ends should be. You’ll find yourself scraping every last trace of sauce from the tray, wondering how soon is too soon to order more.

Then there’s the fried chicken and it’s everything you want it to be. Crispy, golden coating that delivers a proper crunch, wrapped around succulent, perfectly seasoned meat that stays juicy to the last bite. There’s a confidence to it: no gimmicks, no overcomplicated marinades just really well-executed chicken that tastes like it came straight out of a New Orleans backstreet kitchen. Add their hot honey drizzle or house gravy on the side and it’s game over.

Sides are no afterthought, either. The mac and cheese is rich and gooey, the cornbread is sweet and satisfying, and the fries are seasoned just enough to keep your fingers going back for more. Everything on the menu feels generous, soulful, and packed with flavour.

What makes Poor Boys stand out isn’t just the food it’s the vibe. The staff are upbeat and welcoming, there’s a buzz to the place without it ever feeling chaotic, and the atmosphere strikes that perfect balance between casual comfort and cool night out.

If you’re in Kingston and craving something hearty, smoky, and downright delicious, Poor Boys is the spot. Come hungry, leave happy and definitely don’t skip...