I visited the revamped Mr Ramz of Moulsham Street - it's the poshest takeaway I've been in
Earlier this year a historic name of Moulsham Street temporarily vanished from Chelmsford. Mr Ramz and Mrs Cod developed a strong reputation for being a popular stop for people wanting a late night snack, or refuelling after a big night out.
It served your classic British takeaway items of kebabs, burgers, chips and pizzas for many years on the end of Moulsham Street near the city centre, but in April it shut. Initially we did not know why, but later signs appeared saying new management had taken over and the joint was getting a full refurbishment.
As the months passed we saw glimpses of work going on behind the scenes, and finally earlier in September we had an opening date, with the venue, now simply called Mr Ramz, launching on September 7.
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I will be the first to say that by the time the takeaway closed for its refurb, it had looked and felt very tired. I'd had some good snacks in there before, but less so as time went on, and the whole aesthetic and facilities were extremely dated. It's right that new management gave Mr Ramz a gutting and transformation - and what a transformation they have accomplished.
The takeaway now has just one counter on the left handside, with TV screens showing a digital menu above it. Everything has been replaced, all the kitchen wares are brand new, and the venue is spotless. Plush cushioned chairs now sit opposite the counter, with patterned, marble flooring and tables with golden edges and lines across them.
Warm, soft lights hang from the ceiling in large round bulbs, with different coloured lights lining the edges of several walls. One of these walls is now decorated with fake green leaves, with the neon sign reading "Every Bite is a Delight", bringing an assured vibrancy. There is even a self-service screen for customers, though when I visited there was no need as the service was extremely quick.
The new aesthetics made you feel like Mr Ramz was now a posh, Michelin-starred restaurant, or something you'd see in the rooms of Sheesh in Chigwell where The Only Way Is Essex stars often dine. But in reality it's still offering the same classic, and much more affordable comfort food.
Those familiar with takeaways will not find many new surprises with Mr Ramz' menu; it boasts the same classics such as fish and chips, all manner of kebabs, burgers and pizzas. But there is a good variety, including different kebab meats, breads and options to have meat and veg cooked in a wrap.
I opted for some mixed doner meat and chips, with garlic and chilli sauce with some ketchup. It was completely as you'd expect; the meat very filling and the chips a nice counterpart, very much similar to the same dishes I've eaten in other shops. But I didn't go in expecting something revolutionary, I just wanted a good, guilty-pleasure meal, and Mr Ramz provided just that. The meat was hot, fresh and flavourful and the chips freshly prepared too.
While the products you'll get will be very similar to those you're used to, it was really pleasing to see how much effort the new management of Mr Ramz have put into revitalising the venue. A lot of money has clearly been put behind it, and for a high street takeaway, it looks fabulous and you will feel very posh sat in there at 4am, eating your chips after a big night out at Popworld.
This article is part of EssexLive's series Essex Eats where a member of our team reviews an independent food business in the county. We don't tell the business we're coming and we don't tell them who we are while we're there. Every meal for EssexEats is paid for by us and not gifted. Check back every Thursday and Saturday for our top pick that week of a great food spot in Essex.
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