Poppies Fish & Chips — Restaurant in London

First of all, they made you wait for about 10 minutes in front of the restaurant and when I entered, I noticed that half of the restaurant was empty. So I didn't understand why we should wait. Anyway....at 25 degrees in summer they don't have air conditioning ON. When I asked for another table, Aycha Akar told me that there were no seats:)). I show her a free table where I'd like to sit and she says it's not possible 🤷🏼‍♀️. Well, when we were ready to order, Ozlem, the waitress said they only had the regular size available. That's good because the food was huge anyway. I asked for Code and they don't have. I asked for a Mojito and unfortunately they don't have that either. Later, I want to charge my phone and I asked Ozlem if I can use their extension socket (which was near to my table) or another socket which is near to a table far away. Ozlem was a nice girl and told me she could put my phone in the back where it would be safer. I didn't have time to say anything because Aycha Akar disturbed us and told me in a very rude way that they are not allowed to charge my phone inside so I should use the plug near the table which was away from me . It's ok Aycha, anyway I didn't want to keep my phone behind :)) but you didn't give me a chance to say it :). Overall the food was good and huge, the atmosphere is hot:)) because of the AC and the customer service....not sure :)). As I said we had to wait when the restaurant was half empty, the toilets were dirty and most of the staff were nice, only Aycha is very rude, unfriendly and not welcoming. I understand that Aycha and Ozlem are sisters. I think you should learn customer service from your sister because Ozlem is very good at customer service, she seems to do it naturally. I hope I didn't create any confusion and Aycha is the shorter girl...

We went here last night. We got greeted and seated fast and the gentleman was friendly. He took our order fast too, which was great. In less then 5 minutes one of our meals arrived (very fast). Turned out that he forgot my meal, which was the vegetarian pie. We didn’t mind, as that can happen to everyone one little mistake. We have asked twice for shared plates, but they didn’t come so we just left it there. The food was ok, but on the expensive side.

Now, on to the not so nice experience. We asked the bill and paid. Our fault is to not clarify the bill and to pay straight away. There are three numbers written on the bill: Subtotal, Optional service charge and Total. After we paid Ive asked the same waiter who set us down what is the optional service charge. He said it is a tip. In my eyes (and I work as a manager in a restaurant myself). A tip is optional, like it is even written on the receipt. The waiter who took our payment did not specify the numbers or ask and automatically took the ‘tip’. When I asked them why do you not ask, his answer was ‘if it’s busy, we don’t have the time to ask every table’. This is unacceptable, as it only takes you ten second to clarify the numbers on the receipt and let the customer choose if they want to tip or not. Especially for tourist, like ourselves. On top of that: their ‘Optional Service Charge’ (which is not optional) is 12% which is ridiculous. As a restaurant manager myself, this is unacceptable to pick a percentage yourself and to not let the customer choose.

The gentleman did not wanted to hear any of this and kept saying ‘we cannot ask every table because it is to busy’. The food and service wasn’t worth the 12% and that’s coming from a couple that mostly tips.

Be careful when...

Having been told of the Amazing Poppies Fish and chips. Let me just tell you the TRUTH...

It was the worst overpriced fish and chips on the planet or should l say, ina Galaxy Far Far away on the dark side of reality. I have no doubt the previous owners are turning in their graves, but in order for the current owners to get their house in order, l suggest a few options.

The Fish should be cooked on order, not left wilting til the next unsuspecting customer believes it to be fresh. It is far from the the the truth. We sat down to what was supposed to be the best Fish and chips in London, Yet our best fish arrived within less than a minute which clearly shows it was flash fried, put in an inquebator for the next unsuspecting customer.

If you pretend to be The Best Fish and Chips, at least cook yer fish Fresh!!!! You were established in 1942!!!!! The original owners must be turning in their graves. I can categorically advise people thinking of going to this place, to think again.

We ordered the fish and chips, and it too was flash fried.

This establishment it the poor broke cousin..

In order for you all to grow, go back to the 1940's where Pat Newland started in the East End..

We paid 58 quid for two pieces of fish that was dry, and chips tepid and incredibly unwhelming!

We will never darken this door again! And will advise countless others with this post...

Til you get yer HOUSE IN ORDER

You should be ashamed...