We have two new fast food joints in Putney town centre. Time for a food fight.
In the red corner
Popeyes
79-81 Putney High Street, in the unit Chicken Shop left behind.
In the silver corner
Spaceship
188 Upper Richmond Road, where the shopfront sat grey and silent all summer.
Round 1
Ordering
Popeyes
A wall of giant touchscreens, so nobody has to speak to a human. Big, colourful and never quite sure what you want. They upsell relentlessly: a £2 pot of garlic mayo appeared on the order, and removing it was harder than buying it. Most of it was left.
Spaceship
A short menu on a steel board: three beef burgers, chicken sliders, sides, shakes and a cheesecake. Simple. And the staff behind the counter were friendly and knowledgeable about their food.
Winner: Spaceship
Round 2
The room
Popeyes
Clean, comfortable and well decorated, with a little personality, but also a little soulless. Most tables held one diner sitting alone, two tables apart.
Spaceship
Stainless steel from wall to wall, Star Trek style lights and a steel sign outside. Like the canteen on a very large spaceship. The staff asked whether we liked the food, and were delighted when we did.
Winner: Spaceship
Round 3
The burger
Popeyes
A chicken burger, served very fast. Crunchy outside, soft inside, tasty rather than full of flavour, on a decent bun with half-melted cheese, tomato and lettuce. No grey meat, nothing floppy. For fast food, pretty good.
Spaceship
A smash burger with its own sauce, caramelised onions and bacon on a good bun, on a tray lined with paper printed with its own name. Delicious, and messy.
Winner: Spaceship
Round 4
Fries
Popeyes
Seasoned, and good.
Spaceship
Crispy and tasty.
Draw
Round 5
The mess
Popeyes
No wet wipe. It did not need one.
Spaceship
Expects a mess and comes prepared: a serviette and a lemon-scented wet wipe. We put it to good use.
Winner: Spaceship
| The card | Popeyes | Spaceship |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1: Ordering | 6 | 8 |
| Round 2: The room | 5 | 7 |
| Round 3: The burger | 7 | 9 |
| Round 4: Fries | 6 | 8 |
| Round 5: The mess | 5 | 7 |
| Total | 29 | 39 |
The verdict
Spaceship wins on points, four rounds to nil
Popeyes is well priced, quick and friendly, and does a perfectly good job if a chicken burger is what you want. But it is still just a chicken burger. Spaceship left us full and craving another bite.
Spaceship is rocketing. Popeyes needs more spinach.
Spaceship, 188 Upper Richmond Road, SW15. Popeyes, 79-81 Putney High Street, SW15.
