The Fat Delicatessen

I strongly disagree with all the negative comments made below.. The Fat Delicatessen is truly foodie heaven and the service is second to none. The owner is charming and commited, the service is good and the food is stunning. Great value for money, wonderful experience and a true treat in Balham.

If you haven't already gone, then go!
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 12, 2011

I've been a regular at the Fat Deli for a few years now and can only recommend the place. Great food, lively atmosphere at lunchtimes and weekends, and great wine. Ignore the negative reviews here. No, actually, pay attention to them: that way I'm guaranteed to get my favourite seat!
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Matt
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 28, 2011

I must say I'm pretty puzzled by the recent reviews - I have eaten here or popped in for a bottle of wine many times and never been disappointed. The service has always been good and not too slow at all. The food is always a high standard and the wine list here is brilliant. This month they are doing wine for eat-in meals at take-out bottle prices which is a bargain, so I'll be going a few more times - will update if I see any evidence of the 'surly' service some people have complained about.
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, November 08, 2010

I am absolutely disgusted with my visit to this restaurant today. I went for lunch with my mother and my sister where we ordered tea and sandwiches. The "boss" shouted at my sister because they did not ask if we wanted our tea to take away or sit in and he got extremely aggressive when they made the wrong assumption and then practically threw her sandwich at her. I felt sorry for the staff who were clearly embarrassed and he appeared to be a bully to them also. I was so angry I couldn't even taste my food. I advise anyone who intends to visit this restaurant to steer clear of it, it was a most unpleasant experience.
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Saturday, October 09, 2010

I was really disappointed by the Fat Deli. It promises a lot - good location, seemingly good menu, proprietors with an apparent interest in food...

The delivery, however, comes nowhere near living up to the promise. We waited for over 15 minutes to even be acknowledged by the waitress. We should have taken this as a sign and given up, but we decided to give the place a chance. Whilst the waitress was perfectly pleasant, unfortunately her waiting skills left a lot to be desired. I had to repeat my order 3 times (risotto balls from the specials board) and for some weird reason she took our drinks away (we had already had to help ourselves to them from the fridge as it was taking so long...) only to return them still unopened. Bizarre.

Our food then arrived. My husbands smoked haddock, boiled egg and bruschetta and my meatballs. Hang on a minute, that wasn't the order I had to repeat 3 times! I sent them back and my husband ate his (rather disappointing) lunch alone (really I think they should replace both dishes when they get the order wrong). My risotto balls then arrived but they were still stone cold in the middle. I went to the counter and was told that if I didn't want to pay I would have to speak to the manager. To this I was met with a surly and, it has to be said, extremely rude manager who offered no apology for our ruined lunch. We still paid for my husband's meal and two drinks.

I would never go back and I would advise other people to avoid as well.
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Penny - View all reviews by this user
2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Thursday, October 07, 2010

I have eaten here on several occasions. The food has usually been delicious, but vegetarian friends have been disappointed with 'vegetarian' dishes being served which are not strictly vegetarian (cheese made with rennet). I have also found the owners quite unpleasant & offensive when their mistakes have been pointed out. Puts one off going back - I don't need to be treated like that and it spoils the meal.
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Jazz
5 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Saturday, July 31, 2010

Friends told me all about the Fat Deli and how good the food was and how well priced it is, they were spot on! really friendly with great food.
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Ken
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Friday, April 16, 2010

I went there with a friend for breakfast today.The place wasnt very busy and the 4 members of staff needed about 15 minutes to realize we would like to order!!

My friend had a coffee which was more like water! (I tasted it too!) Of course she sent it back!

I ordered some tea.Staff forgot the milk(she said she is gonna get it in a min,but never happened)

My bread to the scrambled eggs was quite burnt!!!

So to take it shortly: bad service,slow staff(also they had know knowledge of their menu),burnt food, and for all this quite expensive!

I would never go there again!!

I would strongly advice to the owner to employ trained and professional staff!

And a big clean for the glass at the entrance wouldnt hurt either!!
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1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Sunday, March 21, 2010

I took my daughter and 9-month old grand-daughter to Fat Deli - had some delicious cakes with tea and coffee. Really lovely ambience and friendly staff - apart from the owner. When I was presented with the bill I realised that he had charged me more for one of the cakes than I was expecting - it turned out the price had increased by almost 60p and he had failed to remove the earlier price. He was rather surly but reluctantly reduced my bill.

I am not sure that he really wants babies there because apart from the fact that there is only one high chair, when we asked for a cup of hot water as my daughter wanted to feed her baby and wanted to rinse her spoon we were charged 8p for the cup of hot water. Neither my daughter nor I have ever been charged for that before.

Child/family friendly? I'm not sure.
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Aba
6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Sunday, March 14, 2010

Good venue to meet for morning coffee after school, nursery drop off. Friendly waiting staff - with the exception of the extremely rude and unfriendly owner sadly! Lovely coffee but service extremely slow, particularly during the morning rush - expect to wait 15-20 mins minimum for coffee.
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5 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Friday, January 15, 2010