A Taste Of Leon – London!
Leon is one of those fast casual spots you see dotted all over London, and for the most part it delivered exactly what it promised: quick food that felt fresher, more substantial, and a touch healthier than your standard grab and go. I lived in London for 15 years and always meant to try it but never did… That’s changed now and I have to admit, I will definitely consider it more now as a result, I was impressed with the food and came away feeling replete!
And my first foray was promising as I said, but our visit to the London Bridge branch was a bit of a mixed bag. Though great food, we did have frustrating service, and a space that didn’t quite live up to the vibe I expected.
We ordered a good spread to get a feel for the menu: the satay chicken rice box, the chicken and chorizo club wrap, the honey sriracha GFC nuggets, and the cheddar and black pepper mac bites. All in, it came to £30, which definitely puts Leon more expensive than McDonald’s in price, but also firmly above it in portion size and quality. Everything tasted genuinely delicious. The satay chicken rice box was hearty and comforting, the wrap had that perfect balance of smoky chorizo and tender chicken, the GFC nuggets were crisp with a sweet heat kick, and the mac bites were indulgent in the best way. It felt like proper food, fast, yes, but not flimsy.
Where things fell down was the service. The staff member we dealt with was, frankly, infuriatingly unhelpful. I couldn’t use two gift cards in one transaction (something he stated with no attempt at problem solving) and when I asked for help at the till, he shrigged his shoulders and refused to assist. Even at the order station, where you’d expect a bit of guidance, he seemed irritated by the very idea of helping and rolled his eyes. Service like this at a fast food place I do get, but it genuinely impacted the experience. Leon usually has that friendly, easy going reputation so I’ve heard, making this a little disappointing.
The restaurant itself wasn’t particularly clean either. To be fair, it was the end of the afternoon, and I’m sure it had been busy earlier, but at the moment we were there it was us and a couple who had already eaten and were finished. Tables needed wiping, and the general atmosphere felt a little neglected. Not disastrous, but not ideal.
Despite all that, the food really did shine. It’s the reason I’d happily try Leon again (just not this particular branch). The flavours were great, the portions generous, and the menu has that nice balance of comfort and freshness that makes it feel like a better choice when you want something quick but not greasy. I didn’t try the children’s menu, so I can’t say how my little ones would feel about Leon compared to McDonald’s, but that’s something I’d be open to exploring on another visit. It could go either way: Leon’s food is more wholesome, but kids do love the familiarity of a Maccas!
All in all, Leon remains a solid option for fast, tasty food in London. The London Bridge branch just didn’t hit the mark for service or cleanliness, but the menu itself is strong enough that I’d give another location a go without hesitation. Good flavours, good portions, and a sense that you’re eating something a bit better for you!
We were gifted (two) gift cards to cover the cost of our meal.