Food & Drink: Eltham Grill House, Traditional Fish & Chips, London SE9

Wet and windy days are not ideal conditions for standing in the street and deciding where to have lunch.

Thankfully for our family group of five, we had 40+ years of local knowledge on our side, with one of our party assuring us that Eltham Grill House had everything our different hearts desired and more – and how right she was.

Better still, we happened to be just around the corner from it. Our early arrival paid dividends, and it looked like we had the run of the place. However, just half an hour later, it was bursting at the seams.

This neighbourhood eatery seems to attract family groups, much like ours, fancying a weekend treat, while catching up on the latest news.

People are no doubt attracted by the friendly staff and reliable service. There’s no waiting for menus and they seem to have a knack of knowing exactly when you’re ready to make an order.

People are no doubt attracted by the friendly staff and reliable service. There’s no waiting for menus and they seem to have a knack of knowing exactly when you’re ready to make an order.

Newly refurbished and looking every bit on-trend, with its exposed brickwork, simple lighting and statement banquette seating, the sit down area takes the diner from breakfast, through to lunch and dinner.

Those who fancy grabbing food and heading home needn’t worry, because the fish and chip takeaway next door is still going strong.

Eltham Grill House is well known locally for flying the flag for Britain’s national dish, and no doubt going for the ‘if it ain’t broke’ theory, my father-in-law quickly opted for rock and chips. My husband followed suit, with chicken and mushroom pie and chips. Huge portions were duly delivered pretty speedily, but clearly cooked fresh to order. What’s not to love?

Fish and chips received admiring glances from everyone at our table, and I for one was more than a little jealous – chunky fish wrapped in crispy batter, with just the right peaks to yield a little crunch.

Us ladies had in mind lighter lunches, one prawn salad and a chicken shish and salad later, and four out of the five of us were left feeling rather happy and hunger satisfied to boot. Add in the toddler, who grazed off a few different plates, and our group was certainly pleased with itself.
The chicken shish actually came with chips, which the little one gave her best shot but barely made a dent in.

Chicken shish was served with no fewer than green salad, tomatoes, cabbage, carrots and red onions, proving that it’s entirely possible to eat healthily in a café.

Our intelligence was most certainly correct – Eltham Grill House is a crowd pleaser of a place, operating at the heart of the community for more than 50 years.

We barely scratched the surface of the menu, which was chock-full of hearty and comforting dishes to keep out the cold, including full English breakfasts and other spin-off variants, kebabs, and other grill specials.

There were a few people enjoying a civilised tipple with their lunch, always nice to have the option, and pudding lovers will be spoilt for choice by all the classics available.

Eltham Grill House is a joy of a local restaurant. I left with a warm and fuzzy feeling staff would not only remember my face, but that it wouldn’t take too many visits to be considered a regular.

Eltham Grill House – 2-3 Chequers Parade, London SE9 1DD.