December 12th, 2009
Winking Willy’s is a two storey fish and chip restaurant cafe on Sandside in Scarborough. Overlooking the harbour it is in a popular location surrounded by traditional gaming arcades and ice cream parlours. We stopped off for a late lunch last Sunday arriving around 3pm. It was biting cold outside and the welcome as we entered through the wooden door to the left of the picture, was not much warmer. Because most of the restaurant had been closed off for the winter season we took a four seat table near the front window and settled in for some famous Scarborough fayre. Having looked through the large plastic washable (not washed) menu, we ordered up four Large Willy’s that included tea, bread and butter (margarine).
The tea quickly arrived and was served up in a very large pot that was most welcome as we tried to thaw out from the winter weather outside. Along with the warming effect of the tea, the waitress who looked after us, also seemed to warm up in her manner. As she served up the four large plates of freshly cooked fish and chips, I even noticed a smile. After bringing some sachet of ‘cheap’ tomato sauce (not Heinz), we tucked into what turned out to be very good fish and chips. The fish was nicely cooked, moist and covered in a light crisp batter. The chips were just as good and made for a very pleasant seaside meal.
In the interest of research, I paid a visit to the toilet after my meal and like many a seaside establishment like this, they were in very poor order. There was no soap in evidence to wash your hands properly (this is why we always carry hand wash) and the loo seat (not that I would ever use one outside of home) was hanging off the pan.
Anyway, settling up the bill of around £40, we bade farewell to our waitress who by now, seemed much more happy to have customers, than she did when we first arrived.
Pryordurkin rating 2 stars.
Posted in Food and Drink
Being a regular visitor to Scarborough & Winking Willys I dont know what part of the building which incidentey is 354 yrs old the author visited as I have always found the amenities to be spotless, albeit old & tired this is not the same as being poor, the toilets have electric dryers and wall mounted soap dispensers as for a loose toilet seat I would hope that Pryordurkin would have let the staff know of this slight inconvienience. As for the fish & chips they are still the best traditionally cooked in the area being fried in Beef Dripping, I also know that the butter is “lurpack spreadable” as I have been present when the girls have been doing both the Brown & white local made Bread. The staff many being there for at least 12yrs to our knowledge are always efficient, very pleasant even when I have witneesed some very impatient & rude customers who dont comprehend that every thing is fresh & cooked to order they smile through it. We visit Willys on Mothers Day & what an eye opener we got as the whole place is being given a major face lift both inside & out with the paint removed from the outside walls new windows and what looks to be a balcony being installed, among the major works were the laughing smiling Sarah, Maria & Alex who confirmed to us that although the works are taking place the policies and style will remain unchanged, and by the way the Haddock was as fresh and lightly battered as always & the chips to salivate over. You can keep your vegatable oils Fish and Chips in Beef dripping ‘No Contest’ Enjoy