In the past year, 17 establishments have been given zero stars for food hygiene standards in Islington. The Holloway Express investigate the best and worst restaurants on the Holloway Road, according to their hygiene ratings…
The chain had a troubled past for hygiene ratings, with former owner Cebrial Imrek pleading guilty in court for 26 food hygiene-related offences back in 2012.
He had to pay around £12,500 in fines and costs, according to the Islington Gazette.
Even after an announced management change, the restaurant was unable to score more than 2/5 in this year’s check.
Burger King – Food Hygiene Rating: 2/5
Nags Head Shopping Centre, 408 Holloway Rd, Holloway, London N7 6PZ
This branch of the well-known international fast-food chain ranked shockingly low after the recent inspection in March.
They scored an overall of 2/5 with a 0/25 in hygiene and some higher rates for structural and management criteria.
The franchise refused to comment about the issue.
Best in the Area
EZ & Moss Cafe – Food Hygiene Rating: 5/5
183 Holloway Rd, London N7 8LX
The EZ & Moss Cafe is an independent cafe, scoring 5 out of 5 for food hygiene.
Holloway Express has talked to barista Adrian Santana, 26, about the standards in the cafe.
“We clean our utensils straight away after every use. We also clean the oven, dishwasher, fridges and floor every day,” says Santana.
The cafe is a popular choice for people who appreciate vegetarian and gluten-free options, and is always well visited.
Santana adds: “To keep the hygiene as high as possible staff must wash their hands immediately after handling food.”
Costa Coffee -Food Hygiene Rating: 5/5
382 Holloway Rd, London N7 6PN
Source: Creative Commons
Costa Coffee on Holloway Road has received a 5/5 rating for food hygiene.
The UK leader in its sector provides food and coffee to millions of people everyday, and knows the importance of hygiene.
Giorgia Serra, 22, barista, told the Holloway Express: “The company really cares about hygiene and knows how much customers care as well.
“We constantly undergo Costa-checks, which are surprise controls conducted by the head office team.
“They are really picky about anything, from general cleanliness to the way we handle food and prepare drinks.”
Worst in Islington
Chicks on Fire – Current Food Hygiene Rating – 2/5
The restaurants Chicks on Fire on Hercules Street was shut down for three days in 2014, due to a dead rat found in the kitchen.
The restaurant on Hercules Street is known for its good value grilled chicken and sharing platters.
Hassan Hasan, chef told the Islington Gazette: “We know there is a big problem with rodents in the area but we had no signs of droppings or anything like that.”
The restaurant only scored two points in a scale of one to five after this year’s check by the Food Standard Agency, conducted in January.
Restaurants in the area also got bad scoring for storing products under the recommended temperature, blood extracts on mayonnaise bottles, selling expired products, cockroaches and rat droppings.
How to check hygiene:
There are many ways you can find out about the status of hygiene of the places you visit.
The easiest and most convenient way is to check the label of the food hygiene agency, often displayed in the window of the venue.
If there is none you might want to ask yourself why.
The procedure is in fact undertaken frequently, but it is not compulsory for the business to display the tag.
In that case, you can simply check the official website www.ratings.food.gov
Poll: how do you usually make sure the place where you are eating has good hygiene?
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