Sussex Fish Bar - A Disappointing Dive Near Paddington Station…read more
When in England, indulging in fish and chips is a must, and we were excited to finally try this iconic dish. Unfortunately, our visit to Sussex Fish Bar turned into an experience we'd rather forget.
We arrived around 9:30 PM, tired and starving after a long day of sightseeing. The restaurant wasn't crowded, and we were seated promptly. The menu is quite limited, which we initially took as a positive sign, assuming the kitchen focused on quality rather than quantity. However, this assumption was quickly dashed.
Our group of five ordered two portions of fish and chips, two mixed platters, and a two-piece fried chicken. The fish and chips and mixed platters came out quickly and were decent--nothing extraordinary but satisfying enough for our hunger. However, the fried chicken became the source of frustration.
Over 15 minutes passed, and there was still no sign of the chicken. We followed up with the waiter, who admitted he had forgotten the order. Despite repeated reminders and visible tension between the waiter and the kitchen staff, it took another five minutes for the chicken to arrive. By then, the person who ordered it had completely lost their appetite.
What made the situation worse was the lack of an apology or any effort to make amends. Not only was there no acknowledgment of their mistake, but they also had the audacity to insist on charging us for the untouched chicken that remained on the table.
To add insult to injury, the restaurant's front door wouldn't close properly, letting in an icy draft on a cold and windy night. When we attempted to adjust the door, we were scolded by the staff--adding to an already miserable dining experience.
In summary:
* Service was disorganized and inattentive.
* No accountability or courtesy shown for mistakes.
* Ambience was uncomfortable, with a freezing draft and unwelcoming staff behavior.
This place doesn't even deserve a single star. If you're in the Paddington area and craving fish and chips, do yourself a favor and avoid Sussex Fish Bar. Save your time, money, and mood by dining elsewhere. The lack of pictures to post with this review is a classic proof that we were famish and devoured our food the moment it was served on our table, but also good since we had no desire to recommend this place anyway, a tourist trap!