St. George’s Plaice, located in the picturesque seaside town of Llandudno, has gained notoriety as the UK’s worst fish and chip shop, according to TripAdvisor. Despite its prime location, the eatery’s online reviews paint a bleak picture—complaints about poor food quality, overpriced menu items, and even instances of food poisoning abound.
Intrigued by these damning reviews, YouTube food critic Gary Hanna, known for his GaryEats channel, decided to investigate firsthand. His goal was to determine if the low rating of 1.6 out of 5 was justified or if perhaps there had been improvements made since the harsh critiques.
Upon arrival, Gary’s initial impressions were cautiously optimistic. The scenery was undeniably beautiful, and the owners had taken steps to protect diners from the town’s notorious seagulls, an appreciated touch. However, the experience quickly took a downward turn.
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The staff quickly reported that several classic chip shop staples were sold out, forcing Gary to settle for pollock and chips, a sausage, and small portions of mushy peas and curry sauce. At first, the food didn’t seem too bad, giving Gary hope that previous reviewers might have been overly harsh.
That hope was short-lived. The pollock he received was shockingly greasy, with the batter more of a hollow shell than a crisp coating. Inside, the fish itself was scant and mushy, leaving a deeply unpleasant impression.
Gary even joked that the waiting seagulls outside would be better off skipping his leftovers. Paying nearly £10 for the pollock, plus nearly £5 for a sausage that felt like a generic, low-quality product, alongside pricey, disappointing sides, Gary started to empathize with the negative TripAdvisor reviews.
He described the peas as sour and the curry sauce as tasteless and watery, finishing what he called a “borderline zero effort” meal. At one point, a bold seagull even swooped in and stole the last of his sausage, a fitting end to the ordeal.
Determined to address the issue, Gary returned to the shop and politely asked for a refund. The staff member offered the money back, acknowledging that customers often returned their meals, highlighting a deeper problem at St. George’s Plaice.
Reflecting on the experience, Gary stressed the urgent need for improvement. With just two young employees on site, the situation seemed tough for both staff and customers. Unless changes are made, it’s clear why this fish and chip shop has earned such a notorious reputation.
St. George’s Plaice has been contacted for comment.