Premier Diner. 86-87 Queen Street. Walsall. Reviewed 23/4/25

Queen Street. Once residential but now very much a business street, and where two of the 3 companies that I used to work for Corroy Products (power tools, building fixings) and Cardboard Boxes 2 Go (boxes, bubble wrap etc) face each other as if having some kind of stare out contest.

It was St George’s Day. That meant a good breakfast was required so I offered to shout food for Josh and Craig as it was a special occasion, if they’d join me.

This used to be Queen Street Tavern back in the day and I never ticked it off as a pub but did used to pop the WalsallAdvertiser in the porch when I was earning cash for football matches.

I’ve only been in here once as a cafe and that was before Southampton (a) in 2011. The day Walsall FC completed the great escape against relegation from League One. At the time of this visit it felt like we were trying to complete the great escape against promotion to League One.

I went for large breakfast with no tomato or mushroom. Josh tried to do a create your own breakfast but found that that didn’t come with a hot drink so went for a set one, telling the lady to give me his two eggs. Craig also went for a set breakfast, telling the lady to give me his cuppa. It all felt a bit Multi Coloured Swap Shop but we got there in the end. It came to about £21 which I was more than happy with.

There was no music, and our conversation was very laddie so hope it couldn’t be overheard. The food came quickly, the waitress had never been asked to take a foodie group picture before but was fine with it.

Food was really good and everyone was happy. The toilets looked like they were the same ones as when it was a pub. I enjoyed this visit. Great food and company. I walk past this place every morning on the way to work at The Manor Hospital but it’s not open that early, which is probably for the best really. Will revisit though.

Fortune Cookie. 3 Hawes Close, Walsall. Reviewed 04/05/25.

When I moved out of my parents gaff in 1996, I moved into the flat above the chemist next door to this place with Paul and Cara. This was a car spares place in those days if I remember correctly. Not been in though since it became a takeaway and because it was a bank holiday Sunday and I wasn’t out drinking, I thought I’d take a nice stroll down here and reminisce a bit as I had to walk past some childhood haunts en route.

I don’t usually have starters at a Chinese but I was horrendously under budget on the weekend spend so opted to splash out with chicken wings in barbecue sauce (£5.60) and the usual favourite of sweet and sour king prawn balls (£7.10).

The place is nicely decorated and there are 4 chairs to wait on. No television though which I thought was a legal requirement for a Chinese takeaway. The food came quickly and the nice lady bade me a lovely evening as I left. I’d got Chinese takeaway so this was a given but a nice touch.

I power walked home whilst listening to a concert on Radio 2 of songs from shows that Elaine Paige has been in. I’ve changed.

Upon getting home I unpacked and found a free bag of prawn crackers. This gesture probably cost them pennies but my God it shot them into my good books. Yes it’s easy to get into those but also to get into my bad ones. During those two years of living next door I boycotted the one further along next to what was the Post Office (Hong Kong Delight if I remember rightly) for 18 months because I didn’t get a free calendar and the bloke behind me, who spent less did.

Anyway this food was ace. I may venture in again on the way home from Bescot Stadium next season.

Hungry Pigs Cafe. 183-`185 Wolverhampton Road West, Bentley, Walsall. Reviewed 6/4/25.

Not gonna lie, this was plan B. Plan A had its shutters up but upon getting close, had to let signs in the windows. Craig was like “we’ll have Wetherspoons breakfast instead.” No. The deal was we were doing a review. I love a Wetherspoons breakfast but that had not been in the brochure for this morning.

So we hit Bentley and pulled up outside. Not been here before but have gone past millions of times on the 529. We weren’t sure it was open to start with and just as I was pondering plan C, a man walked out so we marched in.

I am currently trying to shed some timber so decided to have just a large breakfast. Craig then asked for a bumper. Well I wasn’t being usurped by an out of townie so I joined him in bumper. These cost £11 each but didn’t come with a drink which was a bit odd. Craig paid but we did have £15 from winning The Walsall Arms quiz the night before to put towards this.

Decoration was sparse in here apart from the menu and a social distancing keep 2m apart sign (which we ignored) there wasn’t much in the one half and in the half we sat in it was just a sign advertising the Sunday opening hours.

Music was provided by Heart FM with the highlight being “Firework” by Katy Perry. The food came quickly and I asked the server to take a pic. He asked “is this a special occasion?” This really caught me off guard. I muttered something along the lines of it being my first visit and wanting a pictorial record. Not exactly a lie. In hindsight I should have said “I’m off work. Definitely a special occasion.”

Craig asked twice if I wanted mayonnaise. I had a Belgian grandmother and I love mayo but not on a full English. As I’d said no tomato or mushroom I got extra black pudding and an additional pot of beans which was nice. Craig had a pot of beans and one of tomatoes on his. This reminded me of an interview that Jamiroquai lead singer Jay Kay gave to Chris Moyles years ago and they talked breakfast. Jay was on about how things have to be eaten in order (sorry Josh if you’re reading) and that he doesn’t even like things touching on the plate. Summed up with the brilliant line “if any of the tomatoes goes into the beans, then that’s it. It’s all over.”

I liked this visit. Craig was a bit miffed by the lack of sauce bottles and sachets instead, and didn’t feel it was great value for money. There is no bathroom facilities here so if you’re coming off the M6 and bursting for a toilet, you will need to press on.

Lee Garden. 107 Stafford Street, Walsall. Reviewed 10/5/25

I was a regular here when I lived in Lewis Street, for 6 years. I’ve not however been in in the 9 years since I moved back to my rightful side of the town. I was talking to my mate John about takeaways and mentioned this place. I asked if I shouted him food, would he pick me up one night, take me there and bring me back home. He agreed. I was immediately excited. I needed no looking at the menu, I knew straight away what I was having.

It was my last Saturday as a 50 year old so seemed a good day to go. I did double check the menu and there it was. Extra large mixed curry. No 64 chicken and king prawn. John had announced beef Chow Mein on the way but on hearing of my choice he also went extra large curry but with chicken and beef. He kept the onions, peas and mushrooms in his though.

No television in here but there was a fish tank which makes a nice focal point. There was also poetry on the wall that wasn’t there in 2016. I tried to read it but it was slightly high for me.

We got back to my house and I got the big plates out that usually only get used when Josh comes for breakfast. We sat at the table and it was all very civilised. I demolished my curry. It was magnificent. John reported that his curry was “bostin” with “proper nice beef.” I was disappointed that we didn’t get free prawn crackers. I checked the menu later and they are provided on orders over the wonderfully random £19. We were £1.20 short. No moaning though. I respect cut off points.

Great visit this. Delivery is avaialbe for £2 on orders over £14. I’m keeping the menu close to hand

Kabels. Shaw Street, Walsall. Reviewed 14/05/25.

Not a first visit here. Been as Kabels 2 or 3 times and showed my face several times when it was Mickeys Steakaway. I was meeting Swill for a bite to eat before heading to The Light Cinema to watch Final Destination – Bloodlines (which was magnificent).

Swill has been a best mate of mine since primary school days but I rarely get to see him on just a me and him basis, so we had much to discuss and catch up on. The first time the waiter came I hadn’t even looked at the menu, and when I finally did it was only a glance as we were locked in discussions, and he was taking the piss which is standard. He always cracks me up.

I had 10oz sirloin (medium rare) and he had 10oz rump (medium well). I’m much chubbier than Swill so it was nice to finally be in the same weight division as him for some reason. You get two sides with these. I only had one which was chips and in truth I didn’t really want them. I’d come for steak and conversation.

No Pepsi Max here so I made do with the standard diet version while Swill tucked into bottles of Peroni. The food came quickly. My steak was ace but Swill said his was better on a previous visit but did say he’d had a different sort that time. I had some chips, and tried to give Swill the rest but he was having none of it. He was saving some room for a bottle of wine in the cinema.

Music was standard pop of differing ages. There was some Michael Jackson and Backstreet Boys amongst others. Waiter was friendly too and actually rescued me as I was standing outside, absolutely convinced I’d got there first as I was early but Swill was already upstairs and ready to order when I was finally led upstairs.

Another good visit this, made better by Swill paying as a birthday treat for me.

Inspired by the poems in Lee Garden, I thought I’d have a go. I’ve not written a poem since primary school and I think that will show. Pam Ayres isn’t going to be too worried but here goes. Ode To The Chinese Takeaway.

As a kid, I lived by Mr Yips. He was God like with his curry sauce and chips. It was magical opening that foil tray. I had to devour it all straight away.

I don’t do starters, just a main course. And I can’t be arsed with the soy sauce. Chicken curry, or king prawn fried rice. Although an hour later I could eat them twice.

Lee Garden do Banana Fritter. That’d wreck my hopes of getting fitter. I’ll stick with king prawn sweet and sour, my metabolism would clear them within an hour.

I love the cooking sounds, those clank clanks. I accept the food with big thanks. I’d rather have a kick in the knackers, than not get a bag of free prawn crackers.