St. George’s Plaice, nestled in the picturesque seaside town of Llandudno, has gained an infamous reputation as the worst fish and chip shop in the UK according to TripAdvisor. Despite its stunning location, the restaurant’s reviews have been overwhelmingly negative, citing poor food quality, high prices, and even instances of food poisoning.
Curious to uncover the truth behind these harsh critiques, YouTube food reviewer Gary Hanna of GaryEats visited the establishment himself. Hoping for the best, he wondered if the shop might have improved or if the bad reviews were overstated.
Upon arrival, Gary was initially optimistic. The scenic spot was charming, and he noticed the owners had taken steps to protect customers from Llandudno’s notoriously bold seagulls. Unfortunately, his optimism quickly faded as a staff member informed him that several popular menu items were sold out.
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Deciding to make do, Gary ordered pollock and chips, a sausage, as well as mushy peas and curry sauce. At first bite, his hope that the reviews were overly harsh seemed justified. But that initial impression soon crumbled.
Gary described the pollock as excessively greasy, with a batter that was little more than an empty shell. “It’s lacking any significant amount of fish,” he commented. When he finally located some bits of pollock inside, he found them mushy and unappetizing.
Despite a medium portion being charged, Gary was served a large piece, which still failed to impress given its poor quality. The portions weren’t cheap either—£9.95 for the pollock, £3.95 for chips, and £4.45 for the sausage. The mushy peas and curry sauce, each costing £2.25, were labeled “disgraceful.” The peas tasted sour, and the curry sauce was watery and bland.
Gary also took issue with the £4.50 sausage, comparing it to a standard industrial catering product rather than a proper chip shop delicacy. He quipped, “£4.50 for a sausage? You’re having a bubble, mate.”
As a gaggle of hungry seagulls gathered, one cheeky bird even swooped down to grab the remaining sausage from his plate.
Dismayed by the quality and price, Gary returned to St. George’s Plaice to request a refund. The staff member offered his money back after hearing his polite but honest criticism, admitting that many customers often come back dissatisfied.
“They normally have people throwing food back at them, so I appreciated his approach,” she said. Gary reflected, “If refunds are that common, something’s seriously wrong.”
He urged the shop owners to make significant improvements, especially since the young staff seemed to be struggling under the current conditions.
While St. George’s Plaice has yet to respond publicly, Gary’s visit confirms why the chip shop holds its notorious title—an experience best avoided for anyone craving quality fish and chips.