THE coronavirus pandemic has led to more hours being spent indoors and many of us relying on our favourite local takeaway restaurants.
We all have our leading eateries we continuously go back to. Last week, the Echo crowned fish and chip shop Oldhams of Westcliff our Takeaway of the Year winner after countless votes.
Now we have asked our readers to vote for their other go-to takeaways and more than 340 of you had your say.
Southend, Basildon and Castle Point are jam-packed with eateries we love.
But we can now reveal the top 30 takeaway restaurants – as selected by Echo readers...
1. DB Shack
The Basildon-based DB Shack was the runaway winner in our poll of the go-to takeaway restaurant in lockdown, racking up a whopping 28 nominations.
Found at the Castlemayne Pub, on the Knares, DB Shack specialises in premium burgers, New York-style wings and smoked ribs.
It is safe to say the food on offer has our readers’ mouths watering.
Sue Darch said: “DB Shack is the best place to go and get your absolutely amazing burgers, ribs and chicken wings. The fries are also great.”
Open seven days a week during the third national lockdown, it has also earned rave reviews in a short space of time.
Ryan Bond said: “DB Shack is a new takeaway in the Basildon area. It has a great range of burgers, ribs and more.”
2. Asia
Located on Benfleet’s High Street, the Asia Bangladeshi & Indian Restaurant has also been a firm crowd pleaser in these uncertain times.
The eatery attracted 19 votes from our readers, with their dishes bursting with flavour and offering an Asian twist.
Waheed Khan established the restaurant in 2019 and has quickly gained a reputation as being among the leading place to go when looking for Asian cuisine.
Sarajane Giles said: “Without a doubt the best Indian restaurant in the Benfleet area is Asia.
“Waheed and his team have been amazing throughout lockdown, delivering locally to customers and vulnerable people as well.
“I also ate in the restaurant when we were allowed and they were amazing in keeping to the guidelines.”
Danielle Carroll added: “Asia has the best food around and I would give them 10/10 for service.”
3. Castle Spice
It is clear our readers are fans of Indian cuisine as Castle Spice finds itself in the bronze medal position.
Castle Spice, a contemporary Indian restaurant offering an array of heart-warming curries, was put forward by 17 of you as the go-to takeaway eatery.
Found on London Road, Hadleigh, the restaurant has moved to a takeaway service during the third national lockdown.
Many readers would recommend paying Castle Spice a visit.
Madison Wadford said: “Castle Spice is, without a doubt, the best Indian restaurant in Castle Point.
“They have been amazing throughout lockdown, delivering locally to customers in Benfleet, Hadleigh, Leigh and Westcliff.
“I’ve tried all the places in Benfleet but Castle Spice does something which makes it special.”
Sarah Lovell added: “Castle Spice is the best Indian restaurant in the area.
“I’ve been going there for five years and I would highly recommend it. The staff are always polite and do anything for you.”
4. Tandoori Hut
The Tandoori Hut can be found on Southchurch Avenue, Southend, and it is clear to see many of you have been ordering plenty of food from there during the past 10 months.
Since the initial coronavirus outbreak in March, the Tandoori Hut has been a firm favourite when it comes to deciding what to eat.
When it came to our poll, 13 readers confirmed it has become their go-to takeaway destination during the latest lockdown period.
Boasting tasty Indian food and a range of choices, it is obvious a lot of you have been pleased to receive your Tandoori Hut deliveries during a difficult start to 2021.
Louise Bailey said: “Tandoori Hut has the best food and a fabulous variety on offer.”
5. Peppermill
Tying for fourth place with the Tandoori Hut is Peppermill, having also garnered 13 votes in our online vote.
Located on The Broadway, Wickford, the restaurant has been working around the clock to ensure foodies are satisfied with their orders.
A spokesperson said: “With the recent outbreak and rapid spread of the Covid-19 virus, we would like to reassure our customers that we will be taking extra precautions to safeguard and protect our customers and staff.
“We will be paying even more attention to hygiene and sanitising surfaces even more regularly than before.”
The attention to detail has resulted in Echo readers like Kate Holmes becoming a regular customer.
She said: “The food has been amazing whenever we have ordered and the team are amazing.”
6. World Wide Wings
With a name like World Wide Wings, it is pretty obvious what their speciality is.
The eatery, on Rayleigh High Street, has developed a fine reputation by serving chicken wings capturing flavours from around the world.
The menu offers dishes related to numerous different countries, with their chicken burgers also proving a hit with the punters.
Echo reader Mike Crocombe believes World Wide Wings should be higher in our takeaway leaderboard.
He said: “My go-to takeaway restaurant is World Wide Wings.
“If you haven’t already, you have to give them a go. They have the best wings in Essex by a country mile.”
Chris Barry Riley added: “World Wide Wings is my favourite without a doubt. I cannot help but order from there two or three times every week.”
7. Lazy Pickle
If variety is what you’re after, it appears Echo readers would recommend heading to Shoebury’s Lazy Pickle.
Found on The Renown, the eatery offers an abundance of pizzas, burgers, hot dogs, goujons, sides and desserts to get your mouth watering.
Six people voted for the restaurant in our vote, with many of you ordering their appealing options during the third lockdown.
SEE ALSO
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Some would recommend you follow suit by trying what Lazy Pickle has to offer.
Janey Emma Hellon-Harris said: “The Lazy Pickle offers good value for your money and quick delivery.”
Tasha Hellon-Harris added: “The Lazy Pickle, in Shoebury, is my go-to place. Their food is always cooked to perfection and service is quick and fresh.”
8. Aspera
Aspera is not only highly-rated by our readers, but also on TripAdvisor.
The restaurant is rated the best restaurant in Benfleet on the ratings website but has been made to settle for eighth spot on our list.
Located on London Road, Aspera has a special takeaway menu and specialises in delicious Turkish cuisine.
They also boast a mixed grill option, which boasts a selection of chicken shish, lamb shish, lamb chop, chicken wing and adana kebab served with a salad for £18.20.
Some of our readers love collecting orders from the Benfleet eatery.
Caroline Dobinson said: “The best Turkish restaurant, without a doubt, is Aspera in Benfleet.”
Joanne Miles added: “Aspera has the best food ever.”
9. Basil Spice
While it is usually a restaurant, bar and takeaway, Basil Spice has been made to contend with only offering the latter due to the current lockdown restrictions.
The Basildon eatery, on Cranes Farm Road, boasts a wide array of Indian food options which have become crowd pleasers in the community.
It appears the members of staff, as well as food, have gone down well with Basil Spice ranking ninth in our shortlist.
Echo reader Duncan Traynor said: “Basil Spice has amazing, fresh food and boasts amazingly friendly staff as well. I’ve never had bad food from there.”
Tiffney Collins agrees, stating: “Basil Spice has great food and there is amazing service from staff. I can't fault them.”
10. Marco's Spanish Tapas Restaurant & Wine Bar
Marco’s Spanish Tapas Restaurant & Wine Bar rounds up our top 10 of your go-to takeaway eateries.
Located on Rayleigh’s Eastwood Road, it offers a range of tasty seafood and meat dishes, while also catering for vegetarian and vegan customers.
At affordable prices, Marco’s has been declared south Essex’s leading Spanish-themed restaurant by our readers.
While punters are unable to wine and dine due to current restrictions, you still find it appealing to order from Marco’s in these challenging times.
When making his vote in our poll, Marcus Sowerbutts made it clear he would not be selecting anyone else.
He said: “Marco's Spanish Restaurant & Wine Bar is, 100 per cent, my go-to takeaway restaurant.”
The following were just outside the top 10:
11. Quirky Jerks, Basildon
12. Howard’s Fish and Grill, Benfleet
13. Ashiana Indian, Southchurch
14. Smokey’s Meat Shack
15. Crunchy Chicken Tasty Ribs, Westcliff
16. Imperial Chinese, Westcliff
17. Castle Pub, Southend
18. Best Kebab, Westcliff
19. Legend Deli, Southend
20. Golden Dragon, Leigh
21. Jerk Island Grill, Southend
22. Pink Garlic, Rayleigh
23. Ho Ho Chinese, Basildon
24. Four Seasons Kebab, Shoebury
25. Café No.11, Rayleigh
26. Lucky Bamboo, Eastwood
27. Basildon Beigel Shop
28. Grumpy’s Diner, Southchurch
29. Waeccer, Great Wakering
30. Ocean Star Chinese, Westcliff
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