Fresco, Fitzrovia, London

Its a real shame when one of your favorite local take away place is taken over people who have no clue in selling food. I walked into Fresco this afternoon looking forward to my usual falafel sandwich (its actually called a wrap) with hummus and taboleh. To my surprise I saw (for the first time) Fresco selling Indian food...mostly fried or soaked in oil placed amongst the Turkish food. There was certainly nothing fresh or healthy about these dishes!

So I ordered my wrap, sorry sandwich, and ordered my usual carrot juice which by the way for a small it now costs £2.50 (as oppose to the usual £1.50) and large is £3.50.

When I opened my sandwich wrap I was bemused to find lettuce mixed in with the tabouleh, in fact there isn't much tabouleh at all, it has mostly been replaced with watery lettuce. How annoying I thought, I certainly didn't order this and it wasn't listed on the board when I ordered it either. The falafel was totally greasy too.

I was left disappointed and sad because Fresco has always provided not only friendly service (this branch had the usual friendly service) but delicious food that is great value of money. I was clear on what I was getting each time I walk through a fresco branch and sadly at this particular branch I wasn't quiet sure what they were doing - are they now an Indian, Turkish and juice bar? And has the value of money been replaced with watery bland lettuce?

I certainly won't be coming back :-(

As someone “enjoying” a current health kick - the original plan of eat, drink, be happy, 12 month detox in 2011 proved unfeasible - Fresco is a bit of a life saver.

First it’s extremely good value and offers a better, more interesting range than the standard smoothie / juice places. Secondly, by adding the hated but ever so good for you celery to a fruit juice gets me closer to my five-a-day without me having to eat my crispy, earthy nemesis. Thirdly, it’s on my way back to the tube from the personal trainer who’s getting me into shape. Well, a different shape from “round” I mean.

Yes, as below, they could make 'em a little colder but I was at least offered ice the other day. Haven’t experienced the “carrot sludge” problem yet but will keep an eye out. So far it’s been decent, good value juices - and the odd healthy-ish wrap for later - that’s enabled me to maintain that smug post-workout feeling for a few minutes longer…

Fresco (just off of Regent street) have some delicious wraps. I’ve just this minuted wolfed down a chicken, garlic and hummous wrap which really hit the spot and at £3.50 that’s quite a bargain. “Mental” is a bit of a strong word for the guys that work here, but they are certainly full of character :)

The juices at Fresco are also supposed to be very good but i didn’t try one on this occasion. I’ll definitely be back though!

Great value on uber fresh fruit juices available here, as well as things like falafal wraps and baklava. The juices are a pretty decent price at just £1.50 for a small and £2.50 for a large. They also have some radical combos I’m too boring to try - I can’t think of anything less appealing than a broccoli and cabbage 'juice’ but different strokes…

As usual, a few little gripes; Refridgerate the fruit or throw in some ice - it’s way too hot to be sipping warm fruity liquids. And please wear gloves and rinse out the jugs - I got a pear juice and winced to see the carrot sludge round the top of the jug. Otherwise staff are genuinely friendly (probably earned them an extra star) and juices are speedily made in front of your eyes.