Wimpy

A pretty average restaurant/​diner. All the classic meals you’d expect from a wimpy.

I was in Purley looking for a place to eat and I think partly out of nostalgia (I used to live in Purley when I was a kid) I decided to have lunch in Wimpy. As soon as I walked in I knew I had made a bad choice. The Wimpy bar I remember as a child had obviously long gone and I was presented with a menu of revolting overpriced food. The burger with a doughnut shaped savaloy perched on top looked particulalry horrendous! Just as I was about to make my excuses and leave the guy came over to take my order and like a rabbit caught between the headlights I froze and ordered an orange juice and a half pounder with cheese and chips. What arrived was a horrible greasy tasteless burger, very cheap tasting meat, with a small sprinkling of lettuce and rehydrated onion, on a dry brown bun, served with a side order of of bog standard french fries that were hotter than molten lava. Condiments were served in little packets (a pet het of mine) and the ketchup was of the very cheap ‘own brand’ variety. All the while a family on the next table reminiscent of Harry Enfield’s Wayne and Waynetta Slob were f’ing and blinding very loudly although they were clearly regulars and the guy working behind the counter seemed happy enough to chat to them. After I had eaten (reluctantly) I used the toilets which were old and filthy with graffiti scrawled over the door. The bill came in at over £7 which is not cheap and, given the very poor quality, and shabby surroundings it represents very poor value for money. I have to say though that despite the poor food and shabby interior the kitchen, counter area and tables (that I could see) looked relatively clean and the service was ok, not good, but just about acceptable. I’m not a snob but clearly Wimpy has gone very downhill since I was a kid in the 80s and I won’t be visiting again.