Pizza Hot Express rated 4/5 for food hygiene after revisit

Pizza Hot Express, at 99 Vicarage Road, had raised its food hygiene rating to four-out-of-five after it was previously told it needed "major improvement" by Watford Borough Council officers in March.

The takeaway was primarily let down by the cleanliness and condition of its facilities, referring to its internal layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities, and pest control.

Pizza Hot Express in Vicarage Road. (Image: Newsquest)

But manager Ibrahim Yalabadi told the Watford Observer that he expected the rating to be raised after a revisit.

Following a reinspection on June 19, the handling of food and cleanliness of the takeaway were both judged "good", while the management of food safety remained "generally satisfactory".

Pizza Hot Express has been contacted for comment.

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Pizza Hot Express review 

The Watford Observer previously went down to the takeaway in May to see if things were really as bad as the rating suggested.

While trying to keep an open mind, I tasted “California” pizza which had mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, spinach, feta cheese and onions.

The California pizza with spinach, feta, sun dried tomatoes and onions. (Image: Newsquest) Although not the greatest pizza I've ever tasted, it was definitely edible and just about what you would expect from a takeaway down the road from a football club.

I went to Pizza Hot Express which has been rated 1/5 for food hygiene. (Image: Newsquest) I thought the takeaway's cleanliness did not seem too bad either when I visited on May 4, as the seating area, counter and kitchen all seemed fairly clean apart from some scuffs to the wall and floor.