Smiley's is a family tradition, as I learned this weekend when we drove all the way out to Westcliff-on-Sea from the West End. Egg and chips. Why didn't I know this before?
The egg and the other fixings were just average, but the chips were fantastic. Super hot and right out of the fryer, they were rather randomly cut skinned potatoes. Like snowflakes, no two were alike. A little salt, a little vinegar (the English way of course), the bowl was empty before I knew what happened. Great coffee too. Very smooth and delicious.
We managed to get a parking space right out front (two hours free!) and then the table right on the pavement ("sidewalk" in American) opened up as we arrived. Front row!
A great place to sit and watch the world go past, maybe watch a ship or two go up the Thames Estuary to London. A fantastic spot! read more