Robins

Date of visit: 17th Jan 2026
Score: 10/10

This P&M shop is a favourite of mine. The service is friendly and the food is great. I’ve seen some bad reviews of the shop and they are unjustified. I’ve been a few times, and I haven’t had a bad meal yet. There’s also talk of rude staff. I haven’t experienced rude service - quite the opposite. Just tasty pies and mash. Perhaps someone was having a bad day.

The Robins shops have a long history going back to 1929. They can cater for large events and even have a P&M ready meal for sale. Robins has other shops in Basildon, Chingford, Wanstead and Southend. In Basildon and Southend, you can order via Uber Eats. I managed to live in Wanstead for 4 years and not visit the P&M shop. It was at the end of my road on the high street. I must go back and visit.

On my first visit to Robins, I’d popped to Romford to visit the market. I bought a tray of filet steak for £40, and it was incredibly good value. After the market visit, I saw the P&M shop and thought I’d pop in.

I learnt an important P&M lesson in this shop on the first visit. You should eat P&M with a spoon and a fork, and not a knife. I asked for a knife and was politely informed I would not need one, nor was it correct to eat P&M with one. You can finish everything on the plate easily with a spoon.

But enough of this talk, let’s get to business. I ordered the standard double-double with liquor and a cup of tea. The shop is busy but the customers and coming and going quickly. I’ve never had trouble getting a table and this day was no exception.

I added the own-brand chilli vinegar to the first pie. The pies and mash are delicious. Full of beef flavour. Top marks. The pies are a good size and I would struggle to manage a third one. I can find no faults.

Perhaps my picture doesn’t give the pie the justice it deserves. In fact, as I type this almost 2 months later, I’m wondering if I should deduct a point for the size. But I don’t remember the pie being under-filled, and I would.

The usual caveats: this shop is cash only, as many P&M shops are. But there is a bank next door, so no there’s no excuse.My usual (double-double and a tea) cost £12.00 (£10.50 for the pie and mash). Very reasonable indeed.

Robins
40 South St, Romford, RM1 1UP
Tel: 01708752552
Web: www.robinspieandmash.com/romford2-
Hours: 1000-1630 Mon-Thu; 1000-1730 Fri-Sat