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Home LifestyleEast London G.Kelly, the oldest traditional restaurant in the East End
G.Kelly, the oldest traditional restaurant in the East End
Photo by Shubham Dhage on Unsplash
As I walk through the hustle and bustle of the East End’s infamous Roman Road, delectable smells warm my nose is of course had to be G.Kelly, the oldest pie and mash shop and a proper East End delicacy. Located in the heart of Roman Road and Bethnal Green. Since the 1920’s, it has maintained its name from its founder, George Kelly. As you walk in through the foldable saloon doors, you are greeted with the sensational waft of the food being prepared in the kitchen at the back of the restaurant. There is an overwhelming feel of nostalgia, through portraits of Kelly himself and family members when the shop first opened in the 20’s, tiled walls and metal benches from the original restaurant. The server who has worked there for over 10 years is jolly and of warm nature. She greeted me with a smile and a “what can I get for ya sweet?” in her true East End accent. My one complaint would be the lack of seats. There were 8 or so benches, enough to seat 6 people per bench. However, I can sympathise with the fact the restaurant is over 100 years old
The food. The food is dished up in front of you and the tray of perfectly golden brown pies are brought out from the kitchen every 10 minutes or so. The tradition is pie mash and liquor coated in a thick layer of vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper – no gravy round here (unless you’re northern). You must eat with a fork and spoon, it’s tradition! The flavours burst with excitement as you take a bite into that meaty pie, mixed with the creaminess of the mash and the sweet parsley liquor. The crispy crust mixed with the rich filling of mincemeat is sensational. The mash was mashed to perfection to reach such a creamy thick consistency and the liquor was good enough to drink, tangy and sweet but thick. Eels are also a must when visiting the infamous G.Kelly. I do not like seafood so did swerve that one, but if you are a seafood lover, it’s a must.
G.Kelly truly is an experience not worth missing out on. You really do feel like a true Eastender upon entering and if my 4 out of 5 stars rating isn’t enough to persuade you, you’ll have to visit and try it out for yourself! it’s a must if you ever find yourself in the east end.
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