BEN’S BLOG: ‘Chan’s!’

[dropcap]B[/dropcap]log, when heading over to East London, it’s not the Hoodies and gangs that scare me, it’s all the Middle-Class-Lefties and Trendies that I’m petrified of!

Anyway, Greyhound Racing pro-punter, Jerry ‘Warfumstaw’ Croxford has put forward a superb restaurant recommendation, that has recently reached the top of his ‘most eaten’ list. So I had to make my way over to the ‘dark side’…

Chan’s, in East Ham, has been trading since the 1940’s and offers, like say Tayyabs or Oslo Court, a completely unique eating experience that shouldn’t be missed.

It was clear, on arrival, that Jerry was a local celebrity, on a Frank Sinatra level, and the staff all came out to high-five his children; Tommy and Georgie. Jerry then acted as Emperor, and proceeded to order for the party. We got stuck into, amongst other things: the sweet and sour pork, lemon chicken, mushrooms, spare-ribs, mixed fried rice, and the house speciality chicken chow mein, made from noodles of which you will never have tasted the like. ALL of the food put before of us, was quite delicious and quickly polished off.

I repeat: Chan’s is a completely unique experience, Blog. The service, ambiance, and food itself, are all excellent, and the fact that it is packed, night after night, with locals and regulars, serves extra testament to the photos of celebrities all over the walls, including David Bailey (who never goes on about the East End), that vouch this establishment to be their favourite eatery.

At the end of the meal, a waiter came over and gave Jerry’s two children a packet of Starbursts each (Opal Fruits in old money). What a nice touch. Blog, instantly remembering my childhood, I OBVIOUSLY, with immediate effect, dived in and nicked all of the green and red flavours!

Also, at an astonishing £62 for the five of us, including soft drinks (Tizer, a local speciality!), it certainly won’t break the bank either.

Chan’s is quality. It scores an immediate 9.5 and could very quickly, at the price, become my favourite Chinese restaurant in London.

In other news:

An old pal of mine recently had £2,200 to draw from a betting-shop, owned by one of the ‘big firms’. Traipsing around several branches local to himself, it became patently obvious that the firm in question had none of that vital commodity: cash. Asking when he could collect his money, the following response came back: ‘I dunno, mate. We’re waiting for some money to be sent over from Ireland.’. Really?! MESSERS. Even I wouldn’t have the gall to come out with that one to a punter. Err, well…maybe once or twice!

Over and out, Ben x