Augustine31's Qype profile

We live in Whitby (on the West Side), and used to regularly cross the bridge to visit Mr Chips when we fancied a Fish & Chip Supper. We have not had any reason to complain about the food and, the portion sizes are just right for us – we realise that Whitby portions are small compared with ‘Estate’ Chip Shop portions in many Towns and Cities.

However, as of late the attitude of the staff stinks.

I do not wish to be served by a surly teenager(?) with a face like a slapped a*se, so I have taken my custom elsewhere.

Mr Chips, Good Food – But the attitude of your staff should embarrass you.

We will not use you again.

We live in Whitby and have sampled most of the restaurants in the town. Like the previous review, it is very difficult to get a decent Indian meal in Whitby, in fact in our opinion – downright impossible. We have tried the Cafe Masala and their parent company the Whitby Tandoori on several occasions, hoping that they will improve, but we are always disappointed.

Recently (the last and probably the final time) we ordered a take away from the Whitby Cafe Masala.

We ordered a Chingra Masala (Giant King Prawns in a red masala sauce), Chicken Tikka Dupiaza and a Mixed Kebab Starter. We asked for the Chingri Masala with extra Garlic and Chilli. What we got was absolute bland rubbish.

The Mixed Kebab Starter Comprised (Sweet) Chicken Tikka, which tasted sweet not spicy, Lamb Tikka which looked like offcuts; slivers of extremely well cooked lamb (mutton?). A small Shish Kebab which was absolutely fine and, a inedible rubbery onion bhajee.

The Chicken Tikka Dupiaza would have had more taste if my late maternal grandmother would have prepared it. It reminded me of that comedy show where the Indian actors go out for an ‘English’ and then request a meal more bland than their friend. Should you have the good fortune to dine with your maternal grandmother, you will be rest assured that if you order Chicken Tikka Dupiaza, she will not find the dish too spicy.

The Chingri Masala, ordered with extra garlic and chilli, came in a sauce so sweet, I found it unpalatable. When I complained, I was told that the dish was prepared with Coconut and Almond, so therefore it would be sweet. I pointed out that it did not state Coconut or Almond on the menu and, if I had known that this was a sweet dish, I would have ordered something else. I would have thought; hmm – customer orders extra garlic and chilli (obviously likes hot and spicy food) – lets give him sickly sweet meal (without extra garlic and chilli) – not excellent customer service.

In conclusion, if you want a bland, sugary meal that your maternal grandmother would like – then this is the place for you. On the other hand, if you want an authentic meal from the Indian subcontinent, then do what I believe (anecdotal evidence only), the majority of Whitby Residents do – give the Whitby Cafe Masala a very wide berth.