Starvin' Marvin's

I had always wanted to visit this quaint american style restaurant. I have lived in London all my life and have never been. Before booking a table i had read all of the reviews below, which let me tell you are not good. But i am a great believer in experiencing something for myself, so all the bad comments aside i booked on the 9th October 2011 for 7 people as it was my last weekend in London as i was moving. Let me tell you NONE of us were disappointed. The service was fantastic, in face they couldnt do enough for us. The food was impecable, i thought my son-in-laws eyes were going to pop out of his head when he saw all the food lol. I will definately been recommending this place to friends and family and when i am in London again I will definately be returning. Thank you Starvin Marvins for a lovely send off!!!!!!!!!
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A VERY SATISFIED CUSTOMER
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 02, 2012

Like quite a few of the reviews below, I used to eat here quite a bit when it first opened and the service and food were very good. So with fond memories I took my GF there for the first time a few weeks back. And all I can say is im surprised that this place stays in business.

We went for breakfast on a Saturday morning and to be honest I was shocked and the state of the place, the car park was in need of a good clean and the place itself looked shabby and rough round the edges. However with memories of good short order food we continued.

Unfortunately, the experience didn’t get any better. the Service was slow and considering it was hardly busy it was difficult to understand why. When we got served the waitress didn’t really seem to know anything about the food and had a serious lack of interest in anything. When our food (finally) arrived "American Breakfast" was a serious disappointment, with major issue being the hash browns are now the processed triangles of mush as apposed to real hash brown that it used to be and the rest being just plain greasy, my GF's club sandwich was at best ok but not worth the money. Finally we tried to get the bill but the waitress blanked me twice, ending up with us having to go to the counter and pretty much demand the bill!

I really would like to say something nice about this place, however I can’t think of a thing that was good or even OK.

Its such a shame as this has everything that should make a diner great, location, building and menu. But its let down on the very basics of food hospitality.

My honest opinion is that an average greasy spoon is better. AVOID.
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CaffeineFreak
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Being a diner I expected this place to be vibrant and energetic, thus pretty well paced. Instead, it delivered really slow service (although the gentleman was polite enough) and mediocre pricing. Once I got served, it took 24 minutes for my philly steak [open] sandwich to arrive with some fries! It was OK, but nothing inspiring. They really need to up their game, and given their location I'd imagine that they'd have to work that bit harder. I shan't be recommending it, nor returning for some time.
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2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Friday, October 07, 2011

just had the worst experience in the A40 Starvin Marvin. The "waitress" avoided us (and everyone), we waited over 15 mins to place our order and only got to do this coz we called her over. We received our 2 coffee's and shake quite quickly but as time ticked on we decided to ask/beg for a refill - we had to get up and ask the waiter who didnt come back with any and then again flag down frantically the "waitress" who had little comprehension of English - despite being North American herself! I asked how long the food would be and she said that she had no idea - perhaps another 10 mins but that was nothing to do with her! Eventually after 50 minutes we received my New York Style Deli sandwich was was supposed to be on crusty bread but instead was served on just chopped lettuce and with processed white bread. It was inedible and related nothing to the description on the menu. I asked her why I had not got crusty bread and she said "she didnt know" - a man come over and shyly put toast on the table so I said to him - this is not what I ordered so he lamely took it away. The "waitress" spent the whole time hanging on to the servery and cupping the cheeks of her backside in her hands - NOT ESPECIALLY APPEALING!.

When it come to paying the man gave me my bill and I said I was not going to pay the whole lot as it was appalling "service". When I asked why I was given white processed bread instead of the crusty advertised he said "we have run out" - WHAT??? do you not speak to the customer and advise, offer an alternative and then they can make an informed choise - not give them the most bland old slop on a plate??? Eventually (and after some discussion) whereby (who I presume was the manager) told me that he was short staffed and too busy - RUBBISH. It was an hour out of my life I dont want to experience again and not the relaxing Sunday breakfast with my family I yearned for.

Ive been a good customer over the years as my kids love the ambience and have always been satisfied but this was insulting and an insult to people who have trained and worked hard in the hotel & catering industry as I have. I can only imagine it took a lot to get it so wrong.
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.G Ryan
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Sunday, October 02, 2011

From what I remember, this place used to be good. Don't expect Ed's Diner quality. I had a small hot dog and fries. Could have made better myself. Dry bread, poorly presented, rubbish just out of the freezer bag chips. Even the lemonade was weak in taste. Go to McDonald's or Burger King. This place is not worth going to until they make some serious improvements.
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, August 11, 2011

It used to be better, has it changed hands at some time in the past? Lost its unique selling point IMO. And a lot of its customers.

No point selling American style food if you don't have American style service and a bit more style
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Bernie
3 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Sunday, May 08, 2011

I used this restaurant when it first opened and as I have moved away from the area was keen to eat there again when in London.

It has become run down and the food and service is terrible so disapointing from how I remembered it.
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Neil Twigg
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Monday, May 02, 2011

I used to eat there quite often but hadn't been in a while. After reading the awfull reviews here I thought I'd go and see if it had really got that bad. It didn't start well being greeted by a scruffy grubby looking waiter who spoke less than 10 words to us during the hour and 20 minutes we were there. The starter was Nachos, they were disgusting and over priced. The main meals were disappionting ( Veggie cheesy melt sandwhich and BBQ Bacon Burger). I would have considerd them ok if they were a few pounds cheaper. The Milkshakes were the best thing they had to offer but they are served in plastic glasses as were the soft drinks. The coke I orded was in a grubby plastic beaker with chipped edges. If I was 6 years old I may have considerd that ok but as an adult it came across as cheap and nasty.

The over all decore it tired but not quite as bad as described in other reviews. Other people sitting near us seemed to be very unhappy with the muted waiter. I've been as fair as I can be and I'm not really a fussy person and I seldom complain but I have to say Starvin Marvins has really gone down hill. It offers none of what this style of place should. Best avoid it .
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Tony Mac
2 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Like others had been passing this place for ages.

Went along having not read a review.

Service was very slow but place was not busy.

Food was poor especially for the price.

What a disappointment. Would not go again or recommend to anyone
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sara - View all reviews by this user
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Monday, March 21, 2011

passed this place a hundred times and finally decided to try it.

from outside it looks derelict, the car park in overgrown with weeds and rubbish.

inside its wornout and dirty.

the foods ok

i tried to pay the bill with cash and could not because they had no change for a £20 note (says it all doesn't it) and the first card machine would not work

what a shambles!
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Alan Osborn
3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 3
Thursday, March 17, 2011