Chickaros West Bromwich — Restaurant in Sandwell

I visited the restaurant with my family. This is a new restaurant in West Bromwich part of a franchise. This is my first experience of Chickaros. The restaurant has been open for almost a week now. Initially, you are welcomed by the inviting atmosphere. The decor is very nice and the staff are all friendly and welcoming including the manager who was respectful and welcoming to us throughout our experience. The music in the restaurant is too loud and needs to be quieter to allow for a pleasant dining experience - waiters are having to shout and we as customers have to shout in order to communicate. The restaurant is small with overall limited seating and I believe this will be a limiting factor for the restaurant moving forward. I ordered the blue lagoon mocktail and the loaded chicken parmesan. The parmesan cost £20 for a half parmesan which I thought was quite expensive overall for what it is - a larger portion size would compensate for this - I have seen chicken parmesan much larger than what was served here. They also forgot to add my coleslaw to the dish which comes as standard but was quickly rectified upon request. None the less, the food was serviceable and pleasant to eat, the chicken was moist and succulent. The Chickaros rice was nice to eat but again I would say it is only average. The mocktails were good. Overall, I thought the food was average but serviceable. My mother got the El Dorado steak and asked for medium rare. Initially the steak arrived overcooked (well done) and chewy. This was sent back swiftly with no issues and a replacement dish arrived but they forgot the sauce that was meant to go on the plate but was quickly rectified. When tasting the steak again, despite it being medium rare the quality of the steak we found was incredibly poor. It was gristly and still chewy despite being more tender and I doubt this was a 28 day aged steak as declared on the menu. It was still dry. This was unlike any steak we have had in comparison to multiple steak restaurants we have visited before. We spoke to a staff member and gave our feedback and recommended they look into changing supplier and they were happy to hear what we had to say. Overall, there is not a bad word to say about any of the staff. They were responsive to criticism and accepted faults were made. The main manager was very friendly to us and made us feel welcome; this is rare these days. It would have been a nice touch if they gave a discount for the steak that was sent back or at least took it off the final bill as a good will gesture. Unfortunately this was not the case. Overall, as this is a new restaurant, I will visit again in the future to see if improvements have been made, I will update this review accordingly.

Pros Welcoming, friendly staff and a very friendly manager. Modern decor Good mocktails. Overall serviceable food.

Cons The prices are not worth the food in terms of portion size and quality. The steak quality was poor in taste despite being medium rare. Portion sizes could be improved and more attention to food control is needed (forgetting to put items on plate before serving). Music needs to be quieter and family friendly (some of the song choices were not so...

AVOID if you have allergies!

We visited this restaurant over the weekend, and I had a concerning experience regarding food allergies. Before ordering, I spoke to the manager on duty about my nephew's allergies. He made a note of them and assured me that the grilled chicken would be a safe option, free of nuts and eggs.

When the food was brought out, it came with coleslaw. I immediately asked the waiter if there were any eggs or nuts in the coleslaw. He assured me there was nothing to be worried about. However, I pointed out that the coleslaw contained mayonnaise, which does have eggs in it.

The waiter went to the kitchen to check and returned, saying it was fine because the coleslaw was served separately on the plate. But initially, the coleslaw was actually touching the chicken, which my nephew was going to eat.

At the end of the meal, when I spoke to the manager again, he didn't offer an apology until I specifically mentioned it. I told him that my nephew could have had an anaphylactic reaction and that the staff needed proper training on how to handle allergies. His response was disappointing.

I would not recommend eating here if you have allergies, as I do not feel it is safe. Chikaro's in West Bromwich really needs to take food allergies seriously and train their staff, including the management, on how to handle such situations properly.

*Edit added more information after comment:

Yes, I didn’t go into full detail earlier.

When the food was served, no alternative option was offered despite the issue. Once the rest of our group had finished eating, I approached the waiter to pay the bill and requested to speak with the manager. Initially, the waiter hesitated and said it wasn’t possible.

However, after I insisted—explaining that I would not be paying the full amount under the circumstances—he eventually called the manager over. Following a discussion, the manager agreed to...

Chikaros, nestled in the heart of West Bromwich offers a tantalizing fusion of flavors that cater to diverse palates. During my recent visit, I embarked on a culinary journey that left me both satisfied and impressed.

Upon entering the cozy ambiance of Chikaros, I was greeted by the aroma of spices and the welcoming smiles of the staff. The menu, boasting an array of enticing options, immediately caught my attention. From traditional classics to innovative creations, there was something to please every taste bud.

I opted for the Chef's Kebabish, a delightful combination of succulent meats grilled to perfection and infused with aromatic spices. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, showcasing the culinary expertise of the chefs. The tender meat paired beautifully with the accompanying sauces, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and savory notes.

Equally impressive was the Classic Parmesan, a timeless favorite elevated to new heights at Chikaros. The crispy coating gave way to a tender chicken breast, smothered in rich marinara sauce and gooey melted cheese. It was a comforting indulgence that left me craving more.

However, despite the culinary delights, I was disappointed to discover that Chikaros does not accept card payments. While this may not deter cash-carrying patrons, it poses an inconvenience for those accustomed to the convenience of card transactions. It's a small hiccup in an otherwise stellar dining experience but one worth noting nonetheless.

Overall, my experience at Chikaros was nothing short of exceptional. From the delectable dishes to the warm hospitality, it's clear that this establishment takes pride in delivering memorable dining experiences. Whether you're craving traditional favorites or eager to explore new culinary horizons, Chikaros is sure to delight your senses and leave you coming...