BBQ Express, London E10

Address: 826 High Road Leyton London E10 6AE

Halal credentials: HMC Certified

Three TT Guide Reviewers visited this establishment on Thursday 15th April 2010, review by Brother I:

We had been to this place once before, and it was Brother Ds day to choose the eating venue (otherwise known as 'D-Day'). He was in a carnivorous mood, and fancied a mix-grill. After some deep personal soul-searching, he chose BBQ Express.

We arrived at approximately 8.30pm to a busy restaurant, which is half-way between a restaurant and a takeaway - though very thoughfully decorated with professional signage and finishes (BBQ Express now have several branches across London).

True to his original form, brother D chose a meat-filled menu, and we shared the Grilled Chicken Meal (8 pieces chicken, 6 wings, coleslaw, 4 other sides and 1.5 litre bottle drink all for £13.99) and a large Mixed Grill (£14.99 including 2 side). For the 6 sides we ordered 2 chips, 2 naans, 1 salad and 1 rice.

We originally had to sit close to the door in the only spare table, so the breeze from the door directly fell on us. However, by the time the salads started to arrive another table was available and we moved close to the serving counter. The waiter, an attentive and helpful young brother that spoke little, brought place settings for four and had obviously underestimated the eating prowess of TT Guide Reviewers. He quickly cleaned the table and the mains arrived approx 15 minutes later.

The food was ample, and on this occasion we had clearly over-ordered. We could not fault the portions, the large chicken platter arrived first and looked very appetising covered in a thick marinade with several started such as a large plate of chips and the naan bread. With the coleslaw and salad, our table was already quite full when the mixed-grill platter arrived. The waiter also put an assortmant of sauces on our table, and asked if he missed anything (was reminded about the rice, and again a nice large plate arrived). The chicken was very well cooked, still moist but not underdone. However, we all felt that it was overflavoured and a bit sour, probably because they had put too much lemon juice on it while cooking. Parts of the mixed grill such as the chops were overcooked, and similarly the meat was over-marinated with a strong sour flavour. The sides were all find, average chips, well-flavoured rice, fresh naans and a good salad with pineapple, jalapeno, olives over the normal lettuce, onions, tomatoe and cucumber.

Overall, we had a mixed experience at BBQ Express. On the previous occasion we had been the mixed grill was definitely better and it may just have been an off day. However, the service and portions as well as value were well above average. At £29 for the meal we came under our £10 budget, and had so much food left over that we each made a box to take back (unheard of for TT Reviewers to leave food on the table unless inedible). On our previous visit we had sampled the steak meal and this was well cooked and flavoursome. They also do burger meals at around £3.99 which good value and decent portions. From personal experience their pizzas (2 x 15" for £16.99) delivered are also well recommended).

DECOR/ENVIRONMENT: Good

PRICE: Moderate to Low, just below £10 per person

FOOD: Good

SCORE: 7.5 out of 10

RECOMMENDED:Yes, very good food on a good day, unfortunately average on this visit

Sahara Grill, London E15

Address: 86 High Road, Leyton, London E15 2BP

Halal credentials: Claim to only purchase meat and poultry from HMC (Halal Monitoring Committee) sources, though not HMC certified as a restaurant.

Two TT Guide Reviewers visited this establishment on Thursday 8th April 2010, review by Brother I:

When a fried egg on top of your 'gourmet' burger costs you £1.50 extra, you know your wallet is going to hurt after you finish your meal ...!

We arrived at approximately 8.30pm. Sahara Grill is well known for its exhorbitant pricing policy, so we expected to pay higher than average prices for our meal, but as we hadn't visited for some time, we thought we would give it another shot.

The waiter first tried to sit us on a small table for two next to two young sisters who were enjoying there meal. We didn't like to disturb them by sitting so close, so managed to persuade the waiter to seat us on the more comfortable table for four. The tables/chairs were tired, but the restuarant overall was well decorated. The venue itself is narrow with two rows of seating behind the ground floor cooking area, but they do have space in the basement for larger groups and also have private rooms.

The menu arrived promptly, and sure enough the prices were as expected, if not a little higher. We try to stick to £10 a head for our regular weekly eating sessions, so T-Bone Steak (£16.95) and similar such fare was off the menu (and overpriced as compared to Jungle Brai and BBQ Express where T-Bone is around £9 to £10). Brother A was tempted by the grilled swordfish (£9.95), but on seeing the portion of fish (a round fillet the size of a normal burger) he was put off.

In the end, we opted for one of Sahara Grill's specialities, 'gourmet burgers'. We had olives (£2.95 approx) and chicken tenders (£5.95 approx) for starters, and shared a small chips (£1.75) with a mex burger for me (£4.45) and Sahara special burger for A (£4.95) for mains. For drinks we had a class of 7up each, and at £1.50p each this was steeper than average as expected (rating this high on the Coke test, i.e. judging the prices at an outlet based on the price of a can of Coke, which on average is 60p-75p). Please note, you have to go to the till and order your food/pay, but at these prices you would hope for a full waiter service.

The starters arrived promptly; the olives disappointed and were your normal jar variety with a mild watery marinade served in a small bowl floating on a lettuce leaf, but the chicken tenders were very tasty - well seasoned and coated, and tender pieces of chicken - though again a small portion. This was served with your standard bbq sauce.

The mains were heartier, each burger was large and well cooked in a toasted sesame bun. The chips too were well cooked and flavoursome, though we believe they were your standard frozen chips. The mex burger is served with a guacomole and salsa sauce, and the meat was well cooked but still moist. The chicken burger was also enjoyed by my eating partner, though he found parts of it too spicy and hot. The burgers were overall very good, but not outstanding.

Overall Sahara Grill was good, better than my last experience there. The prices mean that this place will remain a special occasions place rather than regular eatery for most diners - but it isn't quite a 'special occasions' type venue. We would have liked to sample more from the menu, but sticking to our self-imposed £10 a head we couldn't, and even eating burger and chips we didn't manage to remain with the limit.

QUOTES OF THE DAY:

Brother A: "I think I'll get the fried egg for £1.50, but ask for it be grilled"

Brother A to the waiter (in jest): "I could get a box of fish from Billingsgate at that price"

DECOR/ENVIRONMENT: Very good, above average, though tables/chairs were a bit tired and worn.

PRICE: High, easily £20 per person  for a decent meal (the Coke test, high at 1.50p a can)

FOOD: Very good, but not excellent

SCORE: 7.5 out of 10, good food but overpriced

RECOMMENDED: Yes, but be ready to pay

Coffee Inn, London E10

Address: 625 Lea Bridge Road, London, E10 6AJ

Halal credentials: Claim to only purchase meat and poultry from Dial-Halal (HMC), but on the day one of the brothers also told us they use another halal butcher. We didn't quite catch the name.

Three TT Guide Reviewers visited this establishment on Thursday 1st April 2010 on a recommendation of a friend, review by Brother I:

We arrived at approximately 8.15pm to a friendly and warm looking restuarant, though it is darkly lit from the main road hence difficult to spot. Having driven past the place very regularly, we were suprised not to have noticed it before.

The waiter arrived after around 10 minutes to take our order. We ordered grilled chicken wings for starters (approx £2.50), and four mains: a mixed grill with rice, chops with mash, mediterranean chicken steak with chips and an Italian mozerella burger with chips. The burger was around £4.00, the steak around £5.00 and the rest approx £6.50-£7.00. For drinks we stuck to cokes at 90p each (rating this moderate to high on the Coke test, i.e. judging the prices at an outlet based on the price of a can of Coke).

The wings arrived fairly quickly in around 15 minutes, but we all agreed that they were sub-standard. I am particularly careful with my poultry, and I could tell that these wings were not fresh so I ate only half of one and was very disappointed.

The mains arrived slightly later than acceptable around 20 minutes after the small starter. Of the four dishes the chops with mash and gravy was delicious. The meat was moist covered in the gravy, and the mash too was tasty - though the chops themselves were very small. The chips were okay too, home-made with a little cajun spice. However, all other dishes were below par. The burger was passable, chunky though dry. The chicken steak was extremely dry, rigid and with very little flavour - we did not finish this. The rice was unfresh and clumpy with a lemon dressing that didn't quite work. The mixed grill was dry too and quite a small portion as compared to other outlets. Overall, we were disappointed and wouldn't return. If we did, we would stick to the chops only for a starter.

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

Brother I to Brother A: "What do you think of the food?"

Brother A replies: "The decor is good!"

DECOR/ENVIRONMENT: Very good, above average

PRICE: Moderate, approx £10 per person (the Coke test, moderate to high at 90p a can)

FOOD: One dish very good, but overall poor

SCORE: All 3 agreed on 6.5 out of 10

RECOMMENDED: No