Fancy somewhere new for dinner tonight? A spot of chicken? A Chinese? Maybe even a kebab after a couple of pints?
If so you may want to read this before making your choice - for these are the restaurants with the lowest hygiene ratings in Walthamstow.
These nine restaurants have, according to the Food Standards Agency website, been awarded either zero or one star out of a possible five in their latest inspections - meaning the restaurants are either in urgent or major need of improvement.
Natalie Glanvill takes a look at the list of shame.
Eddie's Lunch Box, in Uplands Business Park, Blackhorse Road, currently has a rating of zero - requiring urgent improvement. The cafe was last inspected in July last year. When the Guardian visited, but no-one was available for comment.
QFC - Inspectors obviously didn't agree that Quality Fried Chicken was what customers always got from this takeaway - the second in Walthamstow to have a zero rating. The bad news was broken to managers in November, with inspectors finding a mice infestation at the joint in Wood Street, Walthamstow. An employee, who did not want to be named, told the Guardian the business had been re-inspected and staff had received the necessary training.
Barkat's Grill and Kebabish, in Palmerston Road, Walthamstow, is an Indian takeaway, grill and kebab house. It was last inspected on February 5 and has a hygiene rating of just one. Worker Mohammed Ali said: "There was a problem with the extractor fan as it was not working and the walls were a bit dirty, but we have since made improvements."
Kebabish Original, in St James Street, Walthamstow is a kebab restaurant and takeaway. The premises were also recently inspected on February 5 and also has a food hygiene rating of one. Owner Syed Ali-Shah said the problem was that he simply wasn't there that much. He said: "I hadn't spent enough time there as I was abroad quite a bit," he added. "We have made the necessary improvements and will be asking for a re-inspection in two months." But the business is now in the process of changing owners.
Shere Khan's Chilli and Spice, in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, sells traditional Indian-style cuisine. It has a hygiene rating of one and was last inspected on July 4 2013. Owner Ahmad Rahan admitted there had been problems. He said: "We had some problems in the kitchen with our staff but everyone has now had the latest hygiene training."
Village Food Court of Hoe Street in Walthamstow is a cafe that sells Indian food. It was closed down in August last year after inspectors found cockroaches and mice. Nice. It was recently inspected on January 7. The Guardian was unable to contact the owner. It has one star.
Ming Chinese Restaurant, in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, offers Oriental food. It has a hygiene rating of one and was last inspected on October 9, 2013. The Guardian was unable to contact the owner.
Miod Malina, in High Street, Walthamstow, is a Polish restaurant. It opened two years ago and has a hygiene rating of one. It was last inspected on May 28, 2013. Owner Gosia Eicholc disagrees with the rating. She said: "I disagree - it is higher than one. We don't need major improvements. Everything is clean and our staff have been trained in health and safety and food hygiene."
Spring Cafe, in Forest Road, Walthamstow, offers hot and cold food and traditional English breakfasts. It has a hygiene rating of one and was last inspected on September 25 2013. Owner Yasar Coskuner said his business does not require any improvement to its cleanliness.He said: "It's clean. I have two people that clean all the time, not including myself. It's not busy all the time so we are always cleaning. Anyone can come and check it if they want."
Hygiene ratings are ranked 0 to 5.
0 - Urgent improvement necessary
1 - Major improvement necessary
2 - Improvement necessary
3 - Generally satisfactory
4 - Good
5 - Very good
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