Kwans Chinese Restaurant

Strange times, COVID restrictions in place remember. I phoned at 1833hrs (there's a fb page but no online ordering) and asked for beef curry fried rice, special curry boiled rice and rice & chips with sweet and sour sauce so nothing weird. The chap told me 40 minutes but I realised when walking round it was cash only (£20.12) and I only had contactless or a card so returned for the folding stuff putting me comfortably over the 40 minutes. On arrival the shop was pretty packed, with a more or less orderly queue of bodies outside except for a throng at the door. I went straight in to collect my food and when at the counter alas!...not ready, but they kindly relieved me of the money and sent me outside to the cold, dark and drizzly night. The next 20 minutes dragged by before being called forward to collect my food at the still throngy door. Some had brought vehicles and sat listening to Radio 3 Live from the Met with demisters and engines running on a narrow street with people occasionally spilling onto the roadway-as the weather worsens so will this aspect of carry out food while-you-wait. The food is still tasty, I especially like the cut and texture of the onions, all correct, no complaints. Just need more planning the next time. Or the server to be realistic with a pick up time. Maybe they only start cooking once you've paid and are definitely there, but you'd never get them to tell you this anyway, my conjecture only.

Got the salt and chilli squid and the special chow mein. Special chow mein was very tasty, and the squid was good, perhaps a tiny bit overcooked (little bit chewy). Would definitely eat here again. Could be 5 stars, maybe I just got unlucky with the squid this time as the chow mein was so good. I got collection, so cannot confirm if the food would arrive cold (or not) as others have complained about.