You know what you’re getting at Pizza Hut and the Whitechapel branch sticks with the formula that has made the brand a mainstay on the High Street.

The Venue
Located a stone’s throw from Whitechapel tube station, this branch of Pizza Hut sticks with the bold colours and blatant branding of the chain. A garish red frontage is counteracted by large windows. Inside, it’s all plastic seating, bold, bright colours and a simple aesthetic that reminds you that this is a fast food restaurant with the emphasis firmly on fast.

The venue is large and airy and the tables are spaced out enough that you don’t have to sit on top of your neighbours, which may be a welcome relief if you don’t have a family and wish to sit apart from all of the kids. Towards the back of the room is the ubiquitous Pizza Hut salad bar, the ice cream factory and a small bar.

The Atmosphere
Pizza Hut Whitechapel is often busy and is popular with local families. Being located down the road from Queen Mary University, you’ll also spy the occasional student and young teenagers enjoying a date. It’s an eclectic clientele reflected in branches of the chain across London. The same rushed feeling pervades over the room as people order their food and expect it to be delivered quickly. The staff are a little hurried and it can be hard to catch their eye but they are friendly on the whole and do a good job of keeping the restaurant clean, even when it’s busy.

The Food
Pizza Hut is one of those unusual places where, if you’re savvy and make the most of meal deals, you can eat very cheaply. However, if you order from the a la carte, you can end up spending nearly 30 quid on a meal for two and the quality doesn’t live up to the price. Make the most of the lunchtime buffet deal, which comes in at under £6 and comprises as much salad and pizza slices from the buffet counter as you can eat. If you have a big appetite, it’s well worth the money. They also do regular meal deals that involve free side orders, money off pizzas and combo deals. These are nearly always on offer for the takeaway menu (although it’s worth noting that this branch doesn’t do delivery).

If you visit when there are no offers on, it can work out as an expensive option. A pizza for two comes in at £11.39-£13.49 for a basic pizza base with standard toppings. However, when you start adding the admittedly tasty cheesy bites base comprising sections of pizza base filled with cheese that you can rip off and dip in one of two sauces (sweet chilli, barbecue sauce or sour cream), it soon starts to add up. Factor into this drinks and sides such as garlic bread (£1.99), chicken strips (£3.89) potato wedges (£2.99) and the price quickly rises. The food isn’t the best quality, either. The pizza tends towards greasiness, although this can be eased by avoiding pepperoni as a topping. The chicken supreme is generously portioned with a topping of plenty of chicken, but it’s a little bland and could do with pepping up. The garlic bread is also very greasy and a little tough, but the breaded chicken strips are decent with plump chicken breast covered in a crisp breadcrumb coating.

Recently Pizza Hut decided to rebrand as a PR stunt as Pasta Hut with an emphasis on healthier eating; however, it’s worth bearing in mind that some of their ‘healthy’ options are laden down with mayonnaise, cheese and dressing.

The Drink
There’s a good drink menu at Pizza Hut and the unlimited refill on carbonated soft drinks is well worth the money at £1.99 (£1.39 for kids). There’s a handful of white, red and rose wines at the £10 a bottle price point and a choice of bottled beers that include Carling, Stella, Corona, Carlsberg Export, Budweiser and Magners (£2.79-£3.69). They also do a range of smoothies although they taste processed.

The Last Word
You know what you’re getting at Pizza Hut. Make the most of one of their meal deals or the prices don’t justify the quality.

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