Yahoo News I tried one of Watford's worst-rated takeaways for food hygiene
I ate at one of Watford’s worst rated takeaways for food hygiene and this is what I found.
Pizza Hot Express, at 99 Vicarage Road, was told it needs “major improvement” by Watford Borough Council after it was inspected on March 13.
Pizza Hot Express in Vicarage Road. (Image: Newsquest)
Although the hygienic food handling was found to be ‘good’ and management of food safety ‘generally satisfactory’, the takeaway was rated 1/5 overall as the cleanliness and condition of facilities and building needed ‘major improvement’.
Manager Ibrahim Yalabadi previously said that a reinspection has already been arranged, so I went down last week to see if things were really as bad as the rating suggests.
I went to Pizza Hot Express which has been rated 1/5 for food hygiene. (Image: Newsquest)
The review
Located not far from Vicarage Road Stadium, Pizza Hot Express was quiet when I arrived on a weekday afternoon.
The menu offered a range of pizza toppings from the classic combinations to “Chinese chicken” and “Tandoori Delight”, as well as garlic bread and chicken wings.
While trying to keep an open mind, I went for the “California” for £7.99 which seemed like a safe bet, with mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, feta cheese and onions.
The California pizza with spinach, feta, sun dried tomatoes and onions. (Image: Newsquest)After just a few minutes, my pizza was ready. Despite what you might assume, my first impression was it was not bad. The base was well-cooked and the thick layer of melted mozzarella was both gooey and crispy in parts.
Although the spinach had been cooked to the point of almost disappearing, the mix of flavours from the salty cheese and the sharp onions did provide some balance.
Trying one of Watford's worst rated pizzerias for food hygiene. (Image: Newsquest)
Yes, it was quite greasy and the tomato sauce was nothing to write home about, but equally, there was nothing particularly awful about it either and I didn't have a issue eating the whole pizza.
In terms of the overall cleanliness, the seating area, counter and kitchen surfaces seemed fairly clean from what I could see, despite some scuffs on the wall and floor.
Conclusion
Although some Italians might take issue with what Pizza Hot Express serves, nobody is really in danger of confusing Vicarage Road for a street in Rome or Napoli.
While it was definitely not the same as the pricey sourdough pizzerias that seem to be popping up everywhere nowadays, it was about what you would expect from a takeaway just down the road from a football club.
The pizza was cheap, kept me going for the afternoon and I survived to tell the tale. But I can't say I will be rushing back to try any of its other offerings.
