Jollibee Queue 27 Oct 2018, photo by JMorton

Jollibee UK

I had been so looking forward to Jollibee coming to the UK that I had cajoled the whole family to come with me and have some Chicken Joy and sweet spaghetti at this newly opened Filipino fast-food eatery.

So up we went.

From North London, we rode on a bus to Finchley and got the tube.  After two train transfers we finally got to Earl’s Court, where Jollibee has opened.  It used to be a Wagamama location.

It was easy to find Jollibee as very long queues of Filipinos from both sides can be found hindering doorways of nearby shops and restaurants/cafes.

We were gutted to find the long queues but to start with we were prepared to wait for a while.

To see how the restaurant looks more up close, I left the family to queue and have a look.  There were bouncers at the door, very unusual for a fast food restaurant.

Then I heard someone whose ticket was being called.

Hang on, ticket? What ticket?!!!

I asked the bouncer “What ticket?”

He said I need a ticket to get in.

A more helpful Filipino in front the queue elaborated that only ticket holders can get in.  When I asked where I can get the ticket, I was told that it was all gone as early as 8:30 in the morning.

This was dreadful.

Disappointment all around for my two grandchildren, their mother and father, my husband and most especially to me.

I did see the news that there were massive queues on the first day but did not expect that it would be the same a week post opening day.

Stacey, my daughter in law, had sent me a link that announces that Jollibee will stop the ticketing process and just serve on a first come first serve basis beginning today, 29 October.

Am I tempted to go back?

Of course I am but I will probably convince the whole family group to brave it out towards spring next year.

Hopefully, most Filipinos of London and UK have been sated with Chicken Joy by then!  🙂

Apparently, this London branch is only second in Europe.  A Milan branch was opened earlier this year.

20 May2021: Jollibee at Leicester Square, Central London opened today.