Hi Lee. I had a 5 rating on my pub restaurant and never had a complaint from a customer in the 2 years i had the franchise. You can still operate with a 0 rating but you're given advisories on what needs doing. Then the local EHO will come back and check again after 28 days, if you're actively improving and certain issues are being dealt with, you'll get more time to fix issues and recieve further visits. If you don't improve the cleanliness and storage, prep etc then you will recieve notice of closure. I think that's how it goes. I've eaten at places where the 3R was cleaner than a 5R and judging by the video, this place looks tired and outdated, but reasonably clean. But obviously we can't see inside the kitchen, and that's the most important part. Keep an eye out for the rating going back up over the next couple of months. 👍
As a restaurant owner the good hygiene rating is largely based how food is stored , the positions of food to other foods , correct temperatures in fridges , &!the correct kitchen set up
As a former restaurant owner, I can assure you that obtaining a zero rating is a thousand times harder than obtaining a 5 star rating. Any establishment that has a score of 3 or below should be avoided. This is why most online food ordering companies require a minimum rating of 3 for takeaways. In most cases 4 isn't a great score either (I got a 4 twice during a visits at peak weekend times, and I wouldn't have eaten the stuff the inspector found out that my staff were doing!). Inspectors very rarely inspect 'customer' zones, because these areas are kept clean for obvious reasons.
Hi Lee. I was at that restaurant on Thursday the 20, two days after you, I was also there about the time of day as you were. I gave it a one star rating on google maps. As the choice of dishes was the worst for a buffet restaurant. It cost me £17.78 for the buffet and a bottomless drink. For the £13.99 for the buffet, I thought that it was far too expensive for the choice of food that was available at the time. There’s no way in hell that I would ever go there again
I like that kind of place to be busy, lord knows how long that stuff has been sitting there or how many times it's been reheated. Think you had a lucky escape there.
Having had some experience of food hygiene enforcement, I can say quite confidently that you do not get a 0 rating for a few admin issues with record keeping or such like. The report stated that there were major improvements needed in all categories, and it was a recent report that gave it the 0. Normally Environmental Health Officers would be returning quite soon after such a damning inspection and do a reassessment with a new rating. There were a few alarm bells on your visit. The main issue is that there were literally dozens of hot food containers full of many dishes, probably enough food to feed hundreds of people. Yet there were very few people in there eating. So who was going to eat all that food? And how long had they been sat there? They wouldn't want to waste the food so the equation makes no sense. Much of the food was high risk, notably cooked rice and salad items. I think it is a disgrace that premises in England don't have to display their ratings, but they can be found easily enough online. Like some others, I would never chance a place rated less than 3, and would never go near a 0 until it had got a new improved rating. You and Geoff may have dodged a bullet there!
Interesting that in England restaurants takeaways don't have to display the rating as it would help the public decide if they want to eat there. In Wales it's an offence to... 'Fail to display a valid food hygiene rating sticker in the location and manner prescribed'
I walked past here on Saturday and there is no food rating sticker.However,food premises in England do not need to display a food hygiene rating sticker, although they are encouraged to do so.
Surely if a restaurant got 0 ratings I would presume the place should be closed down until any improvements are made and rechecked by food standards officer
Hi Lee, Geoff, there wasn't any sanitised stations, even though we are supposed to be out of the pandemic. All those hands with people who don't really care!. Pleased your both ok. Love Bev and Will. Cleethorpes.❤
I actually prefer restaurants with a negative hygiene rating because it boosts your immunity if you survive after eating there. I'd eat there every day if I lived in Blackpool and gain a minimum of 25 pounds.
My hubby was really poorly after staying twice in the same Blackpool Hotel within 4 months.If I could of put a bet on him being ill within 24 hours of staying there 4 months later I'd be a millionaire! The first time just passed it off with something he ate outside the Hotel but to go down with the same symptoms within the same time period 4 months later it had to be the Hotel I won't say which one but they had to address the problem that was causing so many Guests on each occasion to be so ill.
I’m not sure why they’re still allowed to trade, unless of course they get a free pass for the sake of ‘diversity’. No way would I eat in there, behind the scenes must be horrendous.
To answer your question in the uk it is legal not to display a hygiene rating sticker most likely because they didn’t want to show their 0 hygiene rating as it would probably lose them customers in wales, scotland and Northern Ireland it is illegal not to display a sticker even with a 0 hygiene rating
I refuse to eat anywhere below at least a 3 rating and once stopped the missus from ordering from her favourite takeaway as the hygiene rating was either a 0 or 1. A good thing that you and Geoff didn't get ill afterwards.
In England Food Hygiene Ratings are not legally obliged to display their food hygiene rating. In Wales and Scotland they have to. There is a huge difference between a food establishment that you would see in the news with cockroaches and chicken on the floor and one that needs improvement. This can range from lack of up to date documentation, poor labelling of dates, staff not having the relevant certification, food not properly separated or stored, building problems such as holes rodents can more easily get in. A mouse can get through a hole the diameter of a ball point pen.
I think that a customer has set about destroying this establishment. If that restaurant is dirty then half of the dinner dives in london should be closed
I don’t know how they’re getting such terrible hygiene ratings? You wouldn’t expect a place like this which has good reviews and is a pretty decent size to be one of the worst in the country for hygiene
Only today I've had an inspection in my school kitchen and retained our 5 star rating , although front of house looked clean there must be some serious issues behind the scenes there 😮
Displaying the rating isn’t mandatory but I personally think it should be. Depending on how the inspection went they’ll be having a revisit anything from a week to a month after the first inspection. It will be interesting to keep a eye on the rating to see if it changes after any revisits.
0 is at the bottom of the scale, this means urgent improvement is necessary. It's probably followed up by another visit to check the improvements have been carried out.
Mr Mac, my mate and I ate there last August, and it was disgusting, now you don't expect 5* food at a buffet, but most of what they offered apart from the desserts, was inedible. Sadly you have to pay for the food and drinks upfront, because after a couple of half eaten small plates we left and went round the corner to Yorkshire Fisheries, leaving us £40 out of pocket at Mr Basrai's. P.S. If you want to review a great cafe you should give the Lindale Cafe a go. It is on the corner of Dale Street (the other end to £1 burger) and for about a fiver they do a great roast everyday, Beef, Pork & Chicken, with the Pork being especially good. P.P.S, in answer to your question. No, the hygiene sticker does not have to be displayed, which makes the rating system a bit of a mockery.
I thought it looked very clean and food looked lovely too. Maybe they've upset the inspector as I think it's an unfair assessment. Thanks Lee, I may try this out myself as I love the variety of the food 😊
Regarding hand washing facilities, it would be for the staff in the kitchens. You need a seperate sink for hand washing, you cant use the regular kitchen sink.
I know it’s sometime since you did your review about Mr Basrai World Cuisine in Blackpool but an update from yesterday 24th June they have 5 stars food hygiene rating on the front door
I have been eating at this restaurant for a few years now , I have always found the food excellent and a very clean restaurant. Tonight I took them up on their offer to inspect their kitchens , they are spotless and gleaming. I have seen in part of the kitchen before and they looked the same 6 months ago. This restaurant has never been dirty, they may have messed up with paper work and odd things but I don't think a zero rating is fair.
You don't get a 0 for just messing up on paperwork. No doubt they have done as instructed by the EHO to rectify the defects. They wouldn't invite customers to look round if they hadn't. The rating is based on an unannounced spot inspection and reflects conditions found at that time. The food might be the tastiest you have ever had, it's a hygiene inspection, not the food critic from the Michelin guide.
Good point! I suppose they give them a time-frame in which to make the required changes (which, to be fair, it seems this establishment has done). Shutting them down would harm them financially, and could force them to close for good (which some may argue is a good thing). In the meantime, the punter is running the potential gauntlet of salmonella, botulism, etc.
most times ratings are also down to paperwork not being done (temps) and food checks. also loses rating if food is stored on the floor or not stored right. they would need to record their food temps. can lose 2 stars if you do not have a hand wash area in the cooking area
Apart from the staff member at time 15:25 wiping his nose and rubbing the result down his left trouser’s leg whilst playing pocket marbles with his other hand it looked ok . There’s no way I would have walked through the door . Out of sight out of mind is always the rule in these places. .
Imagine if food hygiene inspectors came to review every home kitchen in the country - I bet shed loads would get low scores. The MacMaster in Thailand with Geoff would be interesting. Looked okay to me. A 0 rating hmmm. On appearances I’d give it 7/8 out of 10 - but tbh I’m not overly keen on these world buffet places as none of the food really reflects the actual food of their host countries and are just a pastiche of food available. Been a bit spoiled by going to a lot of these countries in the past to experience the real thing.
Outstanding Lee & Geoff, u guys make a great team!! Loved the buffet with a large variety of foods & the sweet tooth in me great mix of desserts- Geoff I can see is no stranger to the buffets of Blackpool inside & out!! Cheers, 😎👍🪇👍🇨🇦
Went a couple of years ago, quality then and still looks it now, by sight 9/10. Don’t go much by quality ratings, if it really was a bad 0 rating they’d have shut it down, so is there below 0🤔. Anyway class review Sir👍🏻
To all those wondering, Lancashire Live has some info on what the inspectors found. If they have upped their game and dealt with the issues, then all to the good! Any eatery can have issues, no matter how popular, cheap or expensive they may be. Most food stored in Bain Maries can be stored for up to two hours, especially rice as it can harbour some nasty surprises. One has no idea how long the food is stored in these containers or if they are swapped out or just topped up! A lot of reviews have said the meat is tough and dried out. I for one won't eat in places like this. If I wish to eat a particular food, I will visit a restaurant that specialises in that food. Jack of all trades, master of none springs to mind. Anyway, for those that go and enjoy it, glad you may continue to do so!
We have been eating here for quite a few years and it has always been very clean just as you saw. That was not just the result of the review. We love Mr Basrais and the food has always been really good. I am glad that you gave them a good score and hope that they can recover from this.
In Wales it's an offence for an operator (restaurant) "Fails to display a valid food hygiene rating sticker in the location and manner prescribed" Not sure about England
In Wales and Northern Ireland it's compulsory to display... in England it isn't. Doesn't given an indication on their web site about Scotland, so I'd assume voluntary too. That said, if they aren't displaying the sticker in a place of prominence (such as their front window), that's all the indication that you need that the hygiene standards aren't up to scratch. This is where social media, and platforms such as YT, are good outlets to bring shady business practices to light.
During my past life in the UK, I had occasional access to Indian restaurants and takeaways. I was often shocked at the state of these places. Behind the shiny facade was a world of filth. In one place, poppadoms were stored and piled high inside what once would have been an outside toilet. The poppadums were left uncovered and exposed. Staff toilets were disgusting, with no toilet roll or hand soap. It's incredible how these places were not closed down. Sometimes, I did report my concerns, but I am not confident any action was taken.
Major improvement needed in every category. The Authority may well have taken formal enforcement action against the business in the form of improvement notice(s). Failure to comply with the notices is a criminal offence and the business would most likely be prosecuted. They have had a month to make improvements and it looks like they have pulled their socks up and improved which is a good result for everyone. It is how the system works.
Hi there, another great video like always just to say we was going to do a video here. I was discussing this the other day when we’re gonna come back to Blackpool because when we done the last lot of videos in Blackpool last year before we was going to go there, but I missed it off But now I am very glad we never done it and I’m glad I’m not going to do it this video now proves that I should know I thought about doing it now though. Keep up the good work a very interesting video like I said I cannot wait to be back in Blackpool later on in the year another great video again
Some of these ratings can be a dispute between the person handing out the rating and the management, If the food tastes good and the place looks clean and tidy, Make up you're own mind about the place.
Food hygiene rating does not need to be displayed, as a chef this does not have anything to with quality of the food, only the EHO have control of the temperature and quality
Zero star ,oh my gosh. The importance of food safety is a must . I love tgat England has stickers on the buildings to keep ppl honest. I belive if you get a pore hygiene rating you close as a penalty to rectify it.or next time you close . I get annoyed i done all my certificates and worked in hospitality and business thats scams ppl i get mad.
That's correct (for England). Required to do so in Wales and NI though. Not sure about Scotland, as it doesn't appear to have the information for Scotland on the food hygiene web site.
Hi Lee rhe 2 of you should be on the telly ,you just work so well ,together ,looking at the place ,looked fab ,me and Jayne will have a go when we are in blackpool, and send you a video ,all the best Keith and Jayne ,Liverpool 😂😂😂
I vaguely remember Wildside Stephen going in here last year. I cannot recall what he had or what he said but I believe he was pleased with his meal. Looks ok for the price however to be given a zero rating for hygiene is not good. Perhaps that’s why it was almost empty of customers. Good vlog with Geoff😉👍
It must be REALLLLY bad back in the kitchen to score a 0 rating! As someone who worked in kitchens with 5* ratings I dread to think how they store food etc yuck
It must be way harder to get higher scores in comunual help yourself restaurants, think of all the customers who don't even wash their hands putting them all over those serving spoons, people coughing over it all etc 😮
I think the bad hygiene mark was probably due to the way food was stored. Also all that prepared food has to get heated up again as they couldn't possibly sell all that in one day Lee..,..❤💎😊xx
Price ok for the variety of foods on display. The food displayed looked ok and appeared to taste ok frm Lee and Geoff. However I worry about the buffets, i.e. turnover of food, bet the lunch time offerings stay in the bain maries for the dinner service. Kitchen and refrigeration hygiene is probably not good and that is why they got a 0. They are probably not happy with that. Overall an average Asian buffet, I score it a 6/10.
From food standards agency website: In England they are encouraged to display food hygiene rating in a prominent place it is not against law if they don't display it. However, in Northern Ireland and Scotland it is against the law if they don't display it in a prominent place.
checkout Blackpool Gazette they requested a Freedom of Information and it was 51 Failings! They should be shut down imo. I've Chef's in my Family and when I discussed your video and the place they were horrified but not surprised as they come across Chef's who have no idea of Food Hygiene Standards etc! in the private sector and the NHS!
I was in Blackpool in November 2022, dined here twice both times were at lunchtime. Food was ok, nothing special, just your usual buffet fare, but tasty enough. It seemed clean enough and I recall that I only paid £12.99 for the buffet, so value for money was 10/10. I would go back again, no problem
Looked at the windows and didn't see any sign of the food rating signs for the restaurant. The food looked good too. Just looked like someone needed to come out once in awhile wipe down the counters.
They are obviously not going to display a 0 food hygiene sticker. A very 60's looking vibe and very empty. Would be interesting to have a food temperature probe to see just how hot the food is being kept. A staff member should be cleaning around the containers regularly as I noticed spillages which were unappealing. Not for me thanks. 4/10
"No Waste -£3 Charge Per Plates" How can you get round this if you don't like it? Also, can you get a clean plate every time you go up? What do you do with your old mucky plate?
Most buffet in England has that sign about food waste - ignore it, when you finish with your plate with leftover or not - get up and pick a new plate while you are filling your new plate a staff will walk over and take it from you.
Hi Lee. I have never been there, but. Regardless of the hygiene rating. When it comes to international cuisine. It has never failed me to live by the old adage. "Jack of all trades, master of none" one of my local restaurants is Italian & Mexican. How do you mix these two cuisines, in one atmosphere or ambience? I don't know, and. Quite frankly. I don't wish to find out. Love the Chanelle, keep up the great work. Best regards from the Republic of Ireland. 🇮🇪
I don’t mind too much about the rating as long as people don’t come down with food poisoning. My local Chinese takeaway had a zero for many years but it was always great food and no side affects. This place looked amazing and I would go if I was closer. Like others said though, it’s probably a 4 or 5 by now.
My Sister is fussy and swears by M&S lol but loved her chinese takeaway which on inspection was given a 0 rating she was never ill etc but was so forgiving that she still bought from there! now it's closed down!
Me and my dad passed this place on our way back from the football in the evening and I admit it was packed and look amazing unfortunately eateries don’t have to display there hygiene raiting in their windows which drives me insane I just avoid most places that don’t display it the only place is my Chinese around the corner as I saw online it has a 3 in hygiene raiting
I have the "Scores on the Doors" app on my phone and always check it before entering an unfamiliar restaurant. This zero rating could simply be that the management refused to engage with the inspector. They used to share a lot more information as to the reasons why, but unfortunately that now seems to have stopped.
When I'm abroad and it's usually a buffet for the meals.I go to eat as soon as the dining room is opened that way no one hovering or handling the food. I eat at Lunchtime as come evening some foods are created into other dishes!
I wouldn't eat anywhere with a low hygiene score, surprised they weren't closed down with that score. However, place did look immaculate and the food looked great.
For you and me food poisoning would mean being unwell for a day or so..... However Elderly, children and those with allergies it could be fatal. So it needs to be taken seriously.
The hygiene things seem a little unfair sometimes but, keeping all that food warmed up for ages could be a problem perhaps. There was a Chinese buffet near here which got raided for 'staffing' purposes. The food was in the window for hours on end. I was told It was cheap but tummy problems happened afterwards.
Me and my family always visit mr basrai when we’re in Blackpool we absolutely love it food always piping hot and very tasty and a brilliant variety of food on offer couldn’t fault it
Can't believe that has a zero rating. The place looked tidy and clean, food well presented and it genuinely looked very good. Personally I don't like eating anywhere unless a 5 star rating. If no rating visible would not entertain it 😊
It would have been inspected by an Environmental Health Officer from the local authority, not the Food Standards Agency. Businesses usually make an effort to make the public areas where customers go, clean and tidy. The EHO would not usually look in detail at these areas (unless it is a buffet type restaurant or the public areas are obviously unhygienic), they concentrate on the kitchen, service, preparation and storage areas, the food used in/by the business and what the staff are actually doing in terms of handling the food. In England, businesses do not have to display their rating sticker. They do in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For some reason successive Conservative governments are against the compulsory display of hygiene ratings. You can make your own mind up on why that is the case.
Hi Lee. I had a 5 rating on my pub restaurant and never had a complaint from a customer in the 2 years i had the franchise. You can still operate with a 0 rating but you're given advisories on what needs doing. Then the local EHO will come back and check again after 28 days, if you're actively improving and certain issues are being dealt with, you'll get more time to fix issues and recieve further visits.
If you don't improve the cleanliness and storage, prep etc then you will recieve notice of closure.
I think that's how it goes.
I've eaten at places where the 3R was cleaner than a 5R and judging by the video, this place looks tired and outdated, but reasonably clean.
But obviously we can't see inside the kitchen, and that's the most important part.
Keep an eye out for the rating going back up over the next couple of months. 👍
As a restaurant owner the good hygiene rating is largely based how food is stored , the positions of food to other foods , correct temperatures in fridges , &!the correct kitchen set up
51 failings found.
As a former restaurant owner, I can assure you that obtaining a zero rating is a thousand times harder than obtaining a 5 star rating. Any establishment that has a score of 3 or below should be avoided. This is why most online food ordering companies require a minimum rating of 3 for takeaways. In most cases 4 isn't a great score either (I got a 4 twice during a visits at peak weekend times, and I wouldn't have eaten the stuff the inspector found out that my staff were doing!). Inspectors very rarely inspect 'customer' zones, because these areas are kept clean for obvious reasons.
Perhaps it’s just because of health and safety and PC madness. One star review would have been 5 star in the 80s?
I see plenty of papa johns with two stars
What were your staff doing.
This place looks pretty clean from what I see on here surely a zero it would be shut down straight away how is it still open?
Hi Lee. I was at that restaurant on Thursday the 20, two days after you, I was also there about the time of day as you were. I gave it a one star rating on google maps. As the choice of dishes was the worst for a buffet restaurant. It cost me £17.78 for the buffet and a bottomless drink. For the £13.99 for the buffet, I thought that it was far too expensive for the choice of food that was available at the time. There’s no way in hell that I would ever go there again
Any restaurant café takeaway which gets a zero hygiene rating should be closed and not allowed to serve the public
I like that kind of place to be busy, lord knows how long that stuff has been sitting there or how many times it's been reheated. Think you had a lucky escape there.
Having had some experience of food hygiene enforcement, I can say quite confidently that you do not get a 0 rating for a few admin issues with record keeping or such like. The report stated that there were major improvements needed in all categories, and it was a recent report that gave it the 0. Normally Environmental Health Officers would be returning quite soon after such a damning inspection and do a reassessment with a new rating.
There were a few alarm bells on your visit. The main issue is that there were literally dozens of hot food containers full of many dishes, probably enough food to feed hundreds of people. Yet there were very few people in there eating. So who was going to eat all that food? And how long had they been sat there? They wouldn't want to waste the food so the equation makes no sense. Much of the food was high risk, notably cooked rice and salad items.
I think it is a disgrace that premises in England don't have to display their ratings, but they can be found easily enough online. Like some others, I would never chance a place rated less than 3, and would never go near a 0 until it had got a new improved rating. You and Geoff may have dodged a bullet there!
Interesting that in England restaurants takeaways don't have to display the rating as it would help the public decide if they want to eat there.
In Wales it's an offence to... 'Fail to display a valid food hygiene rating sticker in the location and manner prescribed'
I walked past here on Saturday and there is no food rating sticker.However,food premises in England do not need to display a food hygiene rating sticker, although they are encouraged to do so.
Surely if a restaurant got 0 ratings I would presume the place should be closed down until any improvements are made and rechecked by food standards officer
Hi Lee, Geoff, there wasn't any sanitised stations, even though we are supposed to be out of the pandemic. All those hands with people who don't really care!. Pleased your both ok. Love Bev and Will. Cleethorpes.❤
I actually prefer restaurants with a negative hygiene rating because it boosts your immunity if you survive after eating there. I'd eat there every day if I lived in Blackpool and gain a minimum of 25 pounds.
The restaurant was rated as requiring improvement in hygienic handling of food including preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage.
@@iamtheeggman1986 That's fine, if you don't want to eat there that would leave more food for me. Lol
Or you can eat as much as you want and loose weight???
@@jessicapayne8622 That would be a dream come true, wouldn't it Jessica? Have my cake 🍰🍰🍰 and eat it too.
My hubby was really poorly after staying twice in the same Blackpool Hotel within 4 months.If I could of put a bet on him being ill within 24 hours of staying there 4 months later I'd be a millionaire! The first time just passed it off with something he ate outside the Hotel but to go down with the same symptoms within the same time period 4 months later it had to be the Hotel I won't say which one but they had to address the problem that was causing so many Guests on each occasion to be so ill.
I’m not sure why they’re still allowed to trade, unless of course they get a free pass for the sake of ‘diversity’.
No way would I eat in there, behind the scenes must be horrendous.
To answer your question in the uk it is legal not to display a hygiene rating sticker most likely because they didn’t want to show their 0 hygiene rating as it would probably lose them customers in wales, scotland and Northern Ireland it is illegal not to display a sticker even with a 0 hygiene rating
I refuse to eat anywhere below at least a 3 rating and once stopped the missus from ordering from her favourite takeaway as the hygiene rating was either a 0 or 1.
A good thing that you and Geoff didn't get ill afterwards.
In England Food Hygiene Ratings are not legally obliged to display their food hygiene rating. In Wales and Scotland they have to. There is a huge difference between a food establishment that you would see in the news with cockroaches and chicken on the floor and one that needs improvement. This can range from lack of up to date documentation, poor labelling of dates, staff not having the relevant certification, food not properly separated or stored, building problems such as holes rodents can more easily get in. A mouse can get through a hole the diameter of a ball point pen.
In Scotland it’s different, it’s just a pass certificate
I think that a customer has set about destroying this establishment. If that restaurant is dirty then half of the dinner dives in london should be closed
I don’t know how they’re getting such terrible hygiene ratings? You wouldn’t expect a place like this which has good reviews and is a pretty decent size to be one of the worst in the country for hygiene
Only today I've had an inspection in my school kitchen and retained our 5 star rating , although front of house looked clean there must be some serious issues behind the scenes there 😮
What gets me why haven’t they closed the restaurant down for 0 hygiene
Aneka’s cameraman Geoff did a great job of keeping up.
An "Indian" beef jalfrezi should've set the alarm bells ringing 😆
Displaying the rating isn’t mandatory but I personally think it should be. Depending on how the inspection went they’ll be having a revisit anything from a week to a month after the first inspection. It will be interesting to keep a eye on the rating to see if it changes after any revisits.
How can a restaurant with a 0 star rating be allowed to trade
Modern Britain.
My sentiments exactly but hey ho
Agreed absolutely bonkers
@@EmmaKelly74159 that's what I was thinking it must be the kitchen
unless they're booked their ideas up 🤔 🇬🇧
0 is at the bottom of the scale, this means urgent improvement is necessary. It's probably followed up by another visit to check the improvements have been carried out.
Mr Mac, my mate and I ate there last August, and it was disgusting, now you don't expect 5* food at a buffet, but most of what they offered apart from the desserts, was inedible. Sadly you have to pay for the food and drinks upfront, because after a couple of half eaten small plates we left and went round the corner to Yorkshire Fisheries, leaving us £40 out of pocket at Mr Basrai's. P.S. If you want to review a great cafe you should give the Lindale Cafe a go. It is on the corner of Dale Street (the other end to £1 burger) and for about a fiver they do a great roast everyday, Beef, Pork & Chicken, with the Pork being especially good. P.P.S, in answer to your question. No, the hygiene sticker does not have to be displayed, which makes the rating system a bit of a mockery.
I thought it looked very clean and food looked lovely too. Maybe they've upset the inspector as I think it's an unfair assessment. Thanks Lee, I may try this out myself as I love the variety of the food 😊
good vlog love how you and jeff just bounce off each other like a fine tuned comedy act
To be fair, for what it is, the food looked pretty decent.
That building used to be Talbot Road bus station! And that had a reputation as a dirty hole too!
Regarding hand washing facilities, it would be for the staff in the kitchens. You need a seperate sink for hand washing, you cant use the regular kitchen sink.
Lee starts travelling with a UV flashlight. As for not getting sick, you guys have a cast iron stomach after all the quality crap you eaten.
I was there last year and it was fine, food was good and it was very clean and very busy, no complaints from me.
I know it’s sometime since you did your review about Mr Basrai World Cuisine in Blackpool but an update from yesterday 24th June they have 5 stars food hygiene rating on the front door
I have been eating at this restaurant for a few years now , I have always found the food excellent and a very clean restaurant. Tonight I took them up on their offer to inspect their kitchens , they are spotless and gleaming. I have seen in part of the kitchen before and they looked the same 6 months ago. This restaurant has never been dirty, they may have messed up with paper work and odd things but I don't think a zero rating is fair.
You don't get a 0 for just messing up on paperwork. No doubt they have done as instructed by the EHO to rectify the defects. They wouldn't invite customers to look round if they hadn't. The rating is based on an unannounced spot inspection and reflects conditions found at that time. The food might be the tastiest you have ever had, it's a hygiene inspection, not the food critic from the Michelin guide.
I always thought places with 0 were closed down until improvements were made
so did I.
Good point! I suppose they give them a time-frame in which to make the required changes (which, to be fair, it seems this establishment has done). Shutting them down would harm them financially, and could force them to close for good (which some may argue is a good thing). In the meantime, the punter is running the potential gauntlet of salmonella, botulism, etc.
Only if there is a severe risk to health. 0 rating dosnt necessarily mean it's dirty.
most times ratings are also down to paperwork not being done (temps) and food checks. also loses rating if food is stored on the floor or not stored right. they would need to record their food temps. can lose 2 stars if you do not have a hand wash area in the cooking area
You can request to see the inspectors report to see what they actually failed on. Be an interesting read that's for sure.
That's good to know
It looked okay, clean and presentable.
Apart from the staff member at time 15:25 wiping his nose and rubbing the result down his left trouser’s leg whilst playing pocket marbles with his other hand it looked ok . There’s no way I would have walked through the door . Out of sight out of mind is always the rule in these places. .
If there's a 0 food rating on the door, I wouldn't even touch the door to go in. Zero rating premises shouldn't be open.
Imagine if food hygiene inspectors came to review every home kitchen in the country - I bet shed loads would get low scores.
The MacMaster in Thailand with Geoff would be interesting.
Looked okay to me. A 0 rating hmmm. On appearances I’d give it 7/8 out of 10 - but tbh I’m not overly keen on these world buffet places as none of the food really reflects the actual food of their host countries and are just a pastiche of food available. Been a bit spoiled by going to a lot of these countries in the past to experience the real thing.
Outstanding Lee & Geoff, u guys make a great team!! Loved the buffet with a large variety of foods & the sweet tooth in me great mix of desserts- Geoff I can see is no stranger to the buffets of Blackpool inside & out!! Cheers, 😎👍🪇👍🇨🇦
Went a couple of years ago, quality then and still looks it now, by sight 9/10. Don’t go much by quality ratings, if it really was a bad 0 rating they’d have shut it down, so is there below 0🤔. Anyway class review Sir👍🏻
If I was going to Blackpool soon ,I’d definitely go to eat there as I know you’d do true review,thanks mr mac
To all those wondering, Lancashire Live has some info on what the inspectors found. If they have upped their game and dealt with the issues, then all to the good! Any eatery can have issues, no matter how popular, cheap or expensive they may be. Most food stored in Bain Maries can be stored for up to two hours, especially rice as it can harbour some nasty surprises. One has no idea how long the food is stored in these containers or if they are swapped out or just topped up! A lot of reviews have said the meat is tough and dried out. I for one won't eat in places like this. If I wish to eat a particular food, I will visit a restaurant that specialises in that food. Jack of all trades, master of none springs to mind. Anyway, for those that go and enjoy it, glad you may continue to do so!
We have been eating here for quite a few years and it has always been very clean just as you saw. That was not just the result of the review. We love Mr Basrais and the food has always been really good. I am glad that you gave them a good score and hope that they can recover from this.
Can you imagine these 2 with 1 or 3 beers and trying to film....always entertaining. Geoff is a legend
They normally lose their rating after a failed kitchen inspection or a customer complaint. The food looks beautiful, 10/10 👌👍
It's not a star rating . It's 0-5 food standard rating. And the sticker isnt a mandatory requirement to be displayed.
In Wales it's an offence for an operator (restaurant) "Fails to display a valid food hygiene rating sticker in the location and manner prescribed"
Not sure about England
In Wales and Northern Ireland it's compulsory to display... in England it isn't. Doesn't given an indication on their web site about Scotland, so I'd assume voluntary too. That said, if they aren't displaying the sticker in a place of prominence (such as their front window), that's all the indication that you need that the hygiene standards aren't up to scratch.
This is where social media, and platforms such as YT, are good outlets to bring shady business practices to light.
No in England it's not a mandatory requirement
During my past life in the UK, I had occasional access to Indian restaurants and takeaways. I was often shocked at the state of these places. Behind the shiny facade was a world of filth. In one place, poppadoms were stored and piled high inside what once would have been an outside toilet. The poppadums were left uncovered and exposed. Staff toilets were disgusting, with no toilet roll or hand soap. It's incredible how these places were not closed down. Sometimes, I did report my concerns, but I am not confident any action was taken.
I’ve been here once (near Sainsbury’s Blackpool) I thought the food was lovely 😊 I never had any complaints regarding this establishment
Major improvement needed in every category. The Authority may well have taken formal enforcement action against the business in the form of improvement notice(s). Failure to comply with the notices is a criminal offence and the business would most likely be prosecuted. They have had a month to make improvements and it looks like they have pulled their socks up and improved which is a good result for everyone. It is how the system works.
Hi there, another great video like always just to say we was going to do a video here. I was discussing this the other day when we’re gonna come back to Blackpool because when we done the last lot of videos in Blackpool last year before we was going to go there, but I missed it off But now I am very glad we never done it and I’m glad I’m not going to do it this video now proves that I should know I thought about doing it now though. Keep up the good work a very interesting video like I said I cannot wait to be back in Blackpool later on in the year another great video again
Some of these ratings can be a dispute between the person handing out the rating and the management, If the food tastes good and the place looks clean and tidy, Make up you're own mind about the place.
Food hygiene rating does not need to be displayed, as a chef this does not have anything to with quality of the food, only the EHO have control of the temperature and quality
*does absolutely need to be displayed somewhere prominent
Playing Russian Roulette with that Sushi
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👍
Zero star ,oh my gosh.
The importance of food safety is a must .
I love tgat England has stickers on the buildings to keep ppl honest.
I belive if you get a pore hygiene rating you close as a penalty to rectify it.or next time you close .
I get annoyed i done all my certificates and worked in hospitality and business thats scams ppl i get mad.
The food and the place looks spotless the value is really good 9/10 from me will be giving this place a go!!! nice one Lee and Geoff😋🤓😎🤠
Just remember the brown bits in the rice are not brown rice .🐀
Excellent vlog guys.
Where did you stay? I am always looking for nice hotels in Blackpool. Keep up the good work.
According to my research, businesses do NOT have to display the hygiene rating sticker but are "encouraged to do so"
That's correct (for England). Required to do so in Wales and NI though. Not sure about Scotland, as it doesn't appear to have the information for Scotland on the food hygiene web site.
Yet Another Great Vlog Guys👍. Food Looked Fab 🤘.
Looked very nice. Place looked clean and the price not bad at all. Cornwall you will pay double or triple for that.
Hi Lee rhe 2 of you should be on the telly ,you just work so well ,together ,looking at the place ,looked fab ,me and Jayne will have a go when we are in blackpool, and send you a video ,all the best Keith and Jayne ,Liverpool 😂😂😂
I vaguely remember Wildside Stephen going in here last year. I cannot recall what he had or what he said but I believe he was pleased with his meal. Looks ok for the price however to be given a zero rating for hygiene is not good. Perhaps that’s why it was almost empty of customers. Good vlog with Geoff😉👍
It must be REALLLLY bad back in the kitchen to score a 0 rating! As someone who worked in kitchens with 5* ratings I dread to think how they store food etc yuck
You should try some of the street food restaurants here in Bangkok, they wash the dishes with a hose pipe outside near a drain.
It must be way harder to get higher scores in comunual help yourself restaurants, think of all the customers who don't even wash their hands putting them all over those serving spoons, people coughing over it all etc 😮
I think the bad hygiene mark was probably due to the way food was stored.
Also all that prepared food has to get heated up again as they couldn't possibly sell all that in one day Lee..,..❤💎😊xx
Another great vlog did you film a vlog of you coming back from Scotland in your car,if so when will you be showing it please
Price ok for the variety of foods on display. The food displayed looked ok and appeared to taste ok frm Lee and Geoff. However I worry about the buffets, i.e. turnover of food, bet the lunch time offerings stay in the bain maries for the dinner service. Kitchen and refrigeration hygiene is probably not good and that is why they got a 0. They are probably not happy with that. Overall an average Asian buffet, I score it a 6/10.
From food standards agency website: In England they are encouraged to display food hygiene rating in a prominent place it is not against law if they don't display it. However, in Northern Ireland and Scotland it is against the law if they don't display it in a prominent place.
You two gents are the new duo of comedy…. Great laughs. 👏🏻👏🏻😂
checkout Blackpool Gazette they requested a Freedom of Information and it was 51 Failings!
They should be shut down imo.
I've Chef's in my Family and when I discussed your video and the place they were horrified but not surprised as they come across Chef's who have no idea of Food Hygiene Standards etc! in the private sector and the NHS!
I was in Blackpool in November 2022, dined here twice both times were at lunchtime. Food was ok, nothing special, just your usual buffet fare, but tasty enough. It seemed clean enough and I recall that I only paid £12.99 for the buffet, so value for money was 10/10. I would go back again, no problem
Looked at the windows and didn't see any sign of the food rating signs for the restaurant. The food looked good too. Just looked like someone needed to come out once in awhile wipe down the counters.
Look great, will have to try this place next time I'm in Blackpool
wonder what the back kitchen looks like
They are obviously not going to display a 0 food hygiene sticker. A very 60's looking vibe and very empty. Would be interesting to have a food temperature probe to see just how hot the food is being kept. A staff member should be cleaning around the containers regularly as I noticed spillages which were unappealing. Not for me thanks. 4/10
"No Waste -£3 Charge Per Plates" How can you get round this if you don't like it? Also, can you get a clean plate every time you go up? What do you do with your old mucky plate?
Most buffet in England has that sign about food waste - ignore it, when you finish with your plate with leftover or not - get up and pick a new plate while you are filling your new plate a staff will walk over and take it from you.
@@kraken955 also using a old plate is not hygienic and should be avoided
@@noncompliance4100 ha ha correct
I think the only thing you haven’t seen is where the food is stored . I imagine the freezers and fridges were a concern
The fact you managed to eat there and didn't need to go to the toilet to make the same sound as a flock of starlings taking off - take that as a win.
🤣
Hi Lee.
I have never been there, but. Regardless of the hygiene rating. When it comes to international cuisine. It has never failed me to live by the old adage. "Jack of all trades, master of none" one of my local restaurants is Italian & Mexican. How do you mix these two cuisines, in one atmosphere or ambience? I don't know, and. Quite frankly. I don't wish to find out.
Love the Chanelle, keep up the great work. Best regards from the Republic of Ireland. 🇮🇪
Tex Mex and Indian all the rage in Spain aswell as Indian and Italian.
I don’t mind too much about the rating as long as people don’t come down with food poisoning. My local Chinese takeaway had a zero for many years but it was always great food and no side affects. This place looked amazing and I would go if I was closer. Like others said though, it’s probably a 4 or 5 by now.
My Sister is fussy and swears by M&S lol but loved her chinese takeaway which on inspection was given a 0 rating she was never ill etc but was so forgiving that she still bought from there! now it's closed down!
Me and my dad passed this place on our way back from the football in the evening and I admit it was packed and look amazing unfortunately eateries don’t have to display there hygiene raiting in their windows which drives me insane I just avoid most places that don’t display it the only place is my Chinese around the corner as I saw online it has a 3 in hygiene raiting
You and Geoff should have your own Saturday night show.
Miles better than Ant & Dec.
Love your collabs. Always have me in hysterics.
I have the "Scores on the Doors" app on my phone and always check it before entering an unfamiliar restaurant. This zero rating could simply be that the management refused to engage with the inspector. They used to share a lot more information as to the reasons why, but unfortunately that now seems to have stopped.
You can ask for a foi request from the local authority.
FOI by Blackpool Gazette read it 51 failings! My daughter whose a Deputy Head Chef said they could of killed someone!
not bothered if it had a score of 10 - cannot eat from places where food is left out for joe public to play with.
I won't eat any sort of buffet food. But it's interesting to see what is on offer.
When I'm abroad and it's usually a buffet for the meals.I go to eat as soon as the dining room is opened that way no one hovering or handling the food.
I eat at Lunchtime as come evening some foods are created into other dishes!
You should go to Ocean Palace round the corner on Talbot Road. They do the best prawn toast in the world. Seriously, try it and I think you'll agree.
I wouldn't eat anywhere with a low hygiene score, surprised they weren't closed down with that score. However, place did look immaculate and the food looked great.
For you and me food poisoning would mean being unwell for a day or so..... However Elderly, children and those with allergies it could be fatal. So it needs to be taken seriously.
The hygiene things seem a little unfair sometimes but, keeping all that food warmed up for ages could be a problem perhaps. There was a Chinese buffet near here which got raided for 'staffing' purposes. The food was in the window for hours on end. I was told It was cheap but tummy problems happened afterwards.
The Hatchet Man is back 💪 🎉
Me and my family always visit mr basrai when we’re in Blackpool we absolutely love it food always piping hot and very tasty and a brilliant variety of food on offer couldn’t fault it
We ate at THE WORST RATED BUFFET RESTAURANT in BLACKPOOL with a ZERO HYGIENE RATING and was SHOCKED The MacMaster love louis shirley
Well done lads,Looks like the owner has upped the anti.
Can't believe that has a zero rating. The place looked tidy and clean, food well presented and it genuinely looked very good. Personally I don't like eating anywhere unless a 5 star rating. If no rating visible would not entertain it 😊
It would have been inspected by an Environmental Health Officer from the local authority, not the Food Standards Agency. Businesses usually make an effort to make the public areas where customers go, clean and tidy. The EHO would not usually look in detail at these areas (unless it is a buffet type restaurant or the public areas are obviously unhygienic), they concentrate on the kitchen, service, preparation and storage areas, the food used in/by the business and what the staff are actually doing in terms of handling the food. In England, businesses do not have to display their rating sticker. They do in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For some reason successive Conservative governments are against the compulsory display of hygiene ratings. You can make your own mind up on why that is the case.
I don't understand, shouldn't a 0 rating on hygene result in the authorities closing down the restaurant?
To be fair lee the food looks on point. For a buffet. All the problems must be behind the scenes. Maybe certain certificates etc.