Smoothbean! in Croydon

Firstly the female staff member seemed a little moody. (Typically the experience of most Caribbean take outs).The Mac and cheese was a bit basic and required some kind of additional flavour to make it something special. The curried chicken in roti was bland and I couldn’t taste or see any curry, period. The chicken was so dry I had to coat it in ketchup just to wash it down. This whole particular combination definitely requires some sauce, maybe some chopped small potatoes/veg mixed in with it to give it some much well needed moisture.I think this spot has potential, just needs tweaking in certain areas to make it great.

I would give ZERO STARS!! Baring in mind Caribbean food is my absolute favourite food, this food was absolutely AWFUL!! I ordered curried goat, Mac ‘n’ Cheese, and coleslaw. The curried goat was was dry and the gravy was very grainy. The mac ‘n’ cheese was like a brick and pasta and now sauce. The coleslaw was bitter and watery, so tell me this inedible (considering how pricey it was compared to normal prices in the area, this cost me just under £18). I came back to get a refund and was met with rudeness by the server Dani, whilst smirking there was nothing she could do as no one else had complained today. She then went on to offer a £4 refund which isn’t even the price for the Mac ‘n’ Cheese let alone the price for the food. So naturally I told her this was unexceptable and she responded with more rudeness and swearing.. AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS!!!

Big Mike, you need to come down and do some quality control because the food let you down today. My jerk chicken was so dry, parts of it were totally dehydrated, bordering on being burnt, the flavour was seriously lacking, it was either overcooked or reheated tou much, either way it was bland and dry, most of it was inedible, you couldn't chew it. The rice and peas tasted like plain rice with kidney beans in it, terrible. The Mac and cheese while flavourful, felt like it had been reheated too many times, it was dried out completely in places and crunchy.... Honestly the only good thing about today was the server, who is a charming, polite and a lovely young lady. I would seriously reccomend you do some secret 'shopping' so you can get see what is happening with your business, those awards that you have won, there was no sign of that food today.

I was surprised to see some of the negative comments of this place. I visited yesterday and had some sensational curried goat. The meat was incredibly tender and just as it should have been. Will be back again, to try one of the other extensive menu options.

I have been to Big Mike on 4 occasion, the first 2 times I ordered the jerk pork with rice. The first one was good as it was plain rice no sauce. Second was not that all special as the rice and peas , was bland and clumpy. my third visit jerk pork again with large plantain portion , my mistake I took the sauce over it and it was not all that good. My last visit I tried the sauce over the pork and rice , it did not hit right. The 3 star is the customer service , staff were cheerful , helpful and dynamic in there approach. I will not take the sauce over the meal but separate. I know my jerk , I am Jamaican. I will go again but would not go out my for it

This is my go to when I'm in East Croydon. I can't understand the negative reviews because every meal I have had here has always been amazing.I always go for their vegan curry and the jackfruit is packed full of flavour .. the coating is crunchy and perfectly spiced. The plantain always hit the spot and never have a bad experience with the staff.Absolutely check it out. Especially if you are vegan.You won't be disappointed.The portions are larrrgeeee so if you like something really saucy, just add extra or speak to the staff.

Come here every weekend now - can't go too long without this perfect jerk chicken.I definitely recommend anyone who hasn't given this 5 stats to try the jerk chicken - onions might change!Danielle and Jacob are always an excellent vibe to see at the till too - great service

Ordered from this place last week, the Mac and cheese was good sized portion, festivals were the best thing out of my whole meal!, jerk chicken was the most bland jerk chicken I’ve had. Ordered 10 pieces of plantain that was THICK circle chunks and hard! couldn’t consume not one. The plantain clearly was ripe enough to be cooked and the cook clearly didn’t take that into consideration. The lady who served me however had great customer service when I visited and welcomed with a smile.

I've never had a bad experience with you guys until today. The staff didn't seem like they wanted to be there (very moody) the curry goat tasted very grainy and the fish cakes are all different sizes and some burnt. Very disappointed

Without doubt the most bland and flavourless jerk food I've ever had. I ordered curried chicken and fish cakes, the curried chicken both looked and tasted like cardboard baby food. The fish cakes were even less flavourful. A woefully overpriced and barely edible experience. Avoid avoid avoid.