From Critique to Comeback: How Fat Hippo Got It Right
There’s something immensely satisfying about giving a place a second chance and watching it smash it out of the park. That’s exactly what happened when we returned to Fat Hippo Leeds.
If you read our original review, you’ll know our first visit left us a little underwhelmed. While the concept was strong, the execution wasn’t quite there, undercooked onion rings, overly peppered fries, and some acidic overload in the burgers. But to their credit, Fat Hippo took it seriously. Their comms and PR team followed up swiftly, passed the feedback directly to the executive chef, and even mentioned their area chef had been retraining the team on key elements like onion rings.
So, when we walked through the doors again, this time on a midweek evening, we weren’t sure what to expect.
What we got? A complete turnaround.
Midweek Magic and Epic Eats
Let’s start with the vibe. Even on a Tuesday night, the place had an energy about it, relaxed but buzzing, with a soundtrack and staff team that matched the upbeat, casual feel. The service was warm, attentive, and efficient. Food arrived quickly, and every interaction felt genuine.
As for the food? Epic.
The burger of choice this time was the Born Slippy, a double patty stacked with American cheese, garlic butter mayo, jalapeños, and the standout addition of braised pork rib meat with hot honey. It was juicy, spicy, rich, sweet, indulgent. The kind of burger that leaves you licking your fingers and nodding in approval before you’ve even finished chewing.
And while we had issues with the fries last time, this time they were spot on, seasoned perfectly, crisp, golden, and subtle enough to support the burger without stealing its thunder.
The Starters and Sweet Finish
We kicked things off with Freddie’s Fingers: Buffalo, buttermilk chicken tenders tossed in hot honey buffalo sauce, finished with a blue cheese ranch. And let me tell you, they were absolutely epic. Perfectly cooked, flavour-packed, and a brilliant opener to the meal. This was comfort food done right.
Dessert? We opted for the Baby Spice, a rich cookie dough pot layered with Biscoff sauce, ice cream, and Biscoff crumb. It was indulgent in the best way: sweet, soft, warm, cold, creamy, it ticked every box and rounded off the meal beautifully.
A Masterclass in Listening
What really stuck with me, though, was how much better the overall experience was. The kitchen had clearly raised its game, the food was tighter, the vibe was on point, and the service never missed a beat.
But here’s what impressed me most: Fat Hippo listened. They took feedback on the chin, and acted on it. That’s rare. I’m known for my radical candor. I’ll always say what I think, and that’s not always easy to hear. Some places take it personally. They become emotionally attached, defensive, and they don’t last. I’ve seen it time and again. Those that can’t take constructive criticism are often the ones who quietly shut their doors and disappear from the trade.
Fat Hippo are different. They recognised that I was right, they owned it, and they put it right. That makes me genuinely happy. Because in 12 months’ time, they’ll still be serving burgers. Still drawing in the crowds. Still growing. There’s a lesson there, and Fat Hippo have clearly learned it.
They call it “good old-fashioned, roll up your sleeves and get it all over your face food” and on this visit, it absolutely was.
Will I be back again? 100%.
