There is a sense of nostalgia that comes with remembering Mr Bigg’s restaurant. When people talk about it, you can instantly perceive the aroma of the restaurant and its famous meat pie.
Back in the 1980s to the early 2000s, Mr Bigg’s, Nigeria’s pioneer quick service restaurant (QSR) brand, was renowned for its delicious meals and freshly baked pastries. The yellow and red decor restaurant was more than a beloved food spot; it was a cultural landmark. A place where memories were made and traditions were born. From birthday celebrations to after-church gatherings, Mr Bigg’s was the go-to spot for delicious food and good company.
However, the quality and consistency of Mr Bigg’s meals and pastries declined shortly after the introduction of franchising and monetizing its brand for QSR entrepreneurs interested in using its name to capture market share.
In 2019, in its bid to reposition its brand, the United African Company of Nigeria PLC (UAC), the owners of Mr Bigg’s, decided to rebrand by introducing joint outlets with Debonairs Pizza, a pizza chain also managed by UAC, in a few locations around Lagos.
We decided to try out the outlet in Agidingbi, Ikeja, to see if their meals have truly improved and if the rebrand is as fantastic as claimed.
MR BIGG’S
- Menu variety – 5/10
- Food Quality – 4/10
- Service – 8/10
- Ambience – 8/10
- Value for money – 3/10
- Hygiene standards – 8/10
- Accessibility – 9/10
- Consistency – 4/10
- Innovation – 5/10
- Sustainability – 6/10
- Waiting time – 8/10
- Online presence – 8/10
- Special features – 5/10
DEBONAIRS PIZZA
- Menu variety – 8/10
- Food Quality – 8/10
- Service – 9/10
- Ambience – 9/10
- Value for money – 8/10
- Hygiene standards – 8/10
- Accessibility – 9/10
- Consistency – 8/10
- Innovation – 8/10
- Sustainability – 7/10
- Waiting time – 7/10
- Online presence – 8/10
- Special features – 7/10
If you agree or disagree with our ratings and would like to provide your own review, head over to our review form, leave your review for all 13 criteria and an Ikeja Record editor will be in touch. To maintain the integrity of our evaluation system, we do not accept or publish reviews from persons directly associated with the restaurants they are reviewing, including (but not limited to) owners, investors, and staff.
Menu Variety
Mr Bigg’s menu ranges from pastries and snacks to Nigerian fast food meals. Their pastries include egg rolls, meat pies, chicken pies, jam doughnuts, and sausage rolls. On their fast food menu, they offer toast/grilled sandwiches, jollof rice, fried rice, Asun spaghetti, Asun rice, roasted chicken, and side dishes like fried plantains and moi-moi. They also have their own loaf of bread.
However, during our visit to their branch at Agidingbi, Ikeja, we noticed their menu was lacking options – there were no chicken pies or meat pies available, and they also had no toasted sandwiches. The drinks in their fridge were limited to only Fanta. According to their staff, restocking was ongoing.
In contrast, Debonairs Pizza offers various pizza variations with different toppings and sauce flavours. Options include spicy BBQ chicken, sweet chilli chicken, suya meat or chicken, and shawarma toppings. They also have a specialty range of pizzas, from the cram-decker option to a triple-decker option. Additionally, there are some vegetarian options and spicy chicken wings on their menu.
Unfortunately, both restaurants had no physical menu to browse through or a QR code to scan for a digital version. We had to look at the screen at the counter to explore the menu.
Food Quality
Mr Bigg’s restaurant prides itself on serving freshly prepared and flavorful meals. However, there are notable areas of concern regarding the taste, freshness, and presentation of its menu items, which can detract from the overall dining experience.
After trying their Asun spaghetti and roasted chicken, we found the food to be average. The goat meat chunks in the spaghetti were scanty, and the meal lacked a unique flavour to distinguish it from a regular roadside dish.
Although the presentation at Mr Bigg’s is straightforward and appetising, with meals served in a clean and orderly manner, the quality could be improved.
On the other hand, Debonairs Pizza maintains a top-notch quality. We ordered two pizzas: one mini pizza with suya chicken topping and a triple-decker pizza with two different toppings—meat and creamy chicken.
Their crust is typically soft and slightly chewy, providing a good base for the toppings. The sauces were rich and well-seasoned, and the toppings were generous and diverse, catering to various preferences from classic pepperoni to more adventurous options like BBQ chicken or creamy chicken.
Value for money
We ordered a plate of Asun spaghetti garnished with chunks of goat meat, roasted spicy chicken, a bottle of Fanta, and an egg roll, which cost N6,050.
Even though they had combo meals advertised on their menu screens, they were not available. The only affordable options under N1,000 on their menu are their pastries. To enjoy a full meal and a drink, you need a minimum of N4,000. Additionally, the portion sizes didn’t match the price; the servings were not generous enough.
@ikejarecord We tried out @DEBONAIRS PIZZA cheapest and most expensive pizza! Have you tasted their pizza? Drop your reviews in the comment section. #debonairspizza #debonairspizza🍕🍕🍕 #pizzaspotsinlagos #pizzaspotsinikeja ♬ original sound – Ikeja Record
Debonairs Pizza prices range from N2,000 to N23,000. The mini-sized pizza bite costs N2,000 each. Other pizza options range from N4,300 to N23,000, with prices varying from small to large.
Despite the cost, even the cheapest options maintain rich quality and excellent taste. Although the size might be smaller, it fits the price. The N23,000 pizza seemed to be overpriced, as the toppings and filling were not as generous as they should have been for that amount.
Service
The service at both Mr Bigg’s and Debonairs Pizza is similar. The staff are friendly and willing to help with your order.
The ordering process at both restaurants is typically straightforward, and food is often prepared or served promptly. They were courteous enough to recommend the best-selling meals and customer favourites while we were deciding what to order.
The staff members also maintained a clean and presentable appearance and handled all transactions smoothly.
Ambience
Both restaurants give off a cool and modern vibe.
The newly improved look at the Mr Bigg’s restaurant outlets in Lagos features a modern and inviting interior design. The Agidingbi branch has warm lighting and comfortable seating arrangements that contribute to a cosy dining experience.
They have lounge chairs for groups of guests, one-on-one seating arrangements, and a set of chairs facing the transparent glass windows. The walls feature quirky write-ups like, “Choose enjoyment,” and “Food is the solution to all problems, okay maybe most.”
The decor at Debonairs Pizza is also welcoming and vibrant yet relaxed, making it suitable for both casual meals and family gatherings. It features a lounge chair area for groups, as well as single and double chairs and tables for couples.
Hygiene standards
During our visit to the branch at Agidingbi, Ikeja, we noticed that cleanliness is usually well-maintained at both Mr Bigg’s restaurant and Debonairs Pizza.
The dining area is meticulously maintained, with staff regularly clearing tables and ensuring a tidy environment for guests. There were occasional flies, but staff would periodically swat at them with an electronic pad. Staff members are often seen cleaning tables and floors regularly to ensure a neat environment.
Additionally, both restaurants share a restroom that is kept immaculately clean, with regular inspections and thorough cleaning routines in place to maintain hygiene.
However, we couldn’t see the interior of their kitchens to confirm if they adhere to strict cleanliness standards, such as a well-organised layout and regular sanitation practices.
Overall, the restaurants prioritise cleanliness in all areas, providing a pleasant and hygienic dining experience for customers.
Accessibility
Due to the recent rebranding of both restaurants by UAC, there is a high chance of finding a Mr Bigg’s restaurant side by side with a Debonairs Pizza.
Mr Bigg’s has nine outlets on the Lagos mainland, located in areas such as Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja; 2 CMD Road, Magodo; Fatgbems filling station, Ajasa command; AP filling station, Dalemo, Alakuko; 1 Ishaga close, Itire, Surulere; KM23, Abeokuta Expressway, Abule Egba; 8b Osolo way, 7&8 Bus stop international Airport Road, Ajao; 48 Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja; and 166 Ogunlana Drive, Surulere.
Meanwhile, the four locations in Lagos Island are situated in Jakande Bus stop, Lekki; Rainoil filling station, Abijo, Ajah; Oando filling station Lakowe, Ajah; and 93 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.
Debonairs outlets in Lagos are in seven locations. Five outlets are shared in the same building with Mr Bigg’s in Jakande Lekki, Ikoyi, Agidingbi Ikeja, and Ajao Estate.
The other two standalone outlets are located at Admiralty Way, Off Victoria Arobieke Street, Lekki Phase 1, and Yesufu Sanusi Street, Off Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere.
Both Mr Bigg’s and Debonairs Pizza locations in Lagos are generally designed to be accessible to a wide range of customers.
Their outlets are strategically positioned in high-traffic areas, making them easily accessible by public transportation and foot traffic. This placement allows for quick and convenient visits for both dine-in and takeaway customers.
Many of their outlets are situated in well-known areas, often within a filling station or by a popular bus stop, making them easy to locate. However, the level of accessibility can vary, with some locations having better access for individuals with disabilities, such as ramps and wide doorways, while others may not be as well-equipped. The Agidingbi store is wheelchair-accessible.
Parking availability can be a mixed experience at Mr Bigg’s and Debonairs Pizza stores in Lagos. In some outlets, there are larger parking facilities available, while parking can be more challenging, with limited spots and higher competition for spaces in other outlets, especially those located in a filling station. The Agidingbi store is located within a Mobil filling station, so parking is quite limited.
Consistency
This has been a challenge for Mr Bigg’s in Lagos, with fluctuations in the quality of both food and service over time. This inconsistency has been a major reason for their business struggles over the years .
From the taste of their meals, the once-reliable standard seems to have wavered, and attempts to rebrand the restaurant haven’t achieved much success.
Despite advertising certain meals on their website and social media pages, during our dine-in visit at their Agidingbi outlet, most of the meals were not available. They were also running out of drinks and water, as their fridge was almost empty.
These inconsistencies can impact the perceived reliability and consistency of the restaurant. Continuous efforts to address these issues, such as staff training and quality control measures, are important for maintaining and improving reliability and consistency.
From our observations, Debonairs Pizza generally maintains a standard quality for its food, ensuring that pizzas are flavorful, ingredients are fresh, and the preparation meets customers’ expectations.
Innovation
During Mr Bigg’s rebrand, they introduced innovative dishes and presentations such as Asun spaghetti, and Asun rice to intrigue customers and add excitement to the dining experience.
While we appreciate the attempts at innovation, we feel the core menu could use more attention to detail and refinement. Adding more delicious and innovative meals to the menu would help enhance variety and appeal to a wider range of tastes.
Overall, there’s also a need for more consistent and well-executed offerings to truly impress customers.
Debonairs Pizza showcases creativity through a diverse and innovative menu. Beyond traditional pizza varieties, they offer unique and localised options that cater to different tastes and preferences.
Examples include the Triple-Decker pizzas, which offer multiple layers of toppings and cheese, and the Crammed-Crust pizzas, which feature stuffed crusts with additional flavours. They also introduce limited-time specials and seasonal offerings to keep the menu fresh and engaging. Additionally, they’ve included a mini-pack of economical pizza size to make their pizza affordable for everyone.
Sustainability
Mr Bigg’s restaurant and Debonairs Pizza, like many international food chains, are increasingly aware of the importance of sustainable practices related to sourcing ingredients, waste management, and minimising environmental impact. However, specifics about their practices aren’t openly available to the public.
The waste management practices at both restaurants are not extensively detailed in public information.
In terms of takeaway packaging, Mr Bigg’s does utilise some reusable plastics. While they have taken steps to reduce single-use plastics, there is still a need for further efforts to transition to more environmentally-friendly packaging options.
Debonairs Pizza typically uses cardboard boxes for their pizzas, which are recyclable and relatively environmentally friendly compared to plastics.
Waiting time
The time taken to be seated and served at Mr Bigg’s in Lagos can vary depending on the number of people in the queue. From our observation at the Agidingbi outlet, there is typically close-to-zero foot traffic at the restaurant.
People usually come in to buy snacks or meals in takeaway packs. Only two customers dined in during our visit there. So the wait time depends on how fast the food attendant is, which is usually under 10 minutes.
For Debonairs Pizza, the official wait time is 10 minutes for your pizza order to be ready. However, our order took 27 minutes to be ready. This might be due to the number of people we met on the waitlist, as it was boldly displayed on the screen in the pizza shop.
For both restaurants’ delivery orders, the time taken to be served depends on various factors, including the distance from the restaurant, traffic conditions, and the restaurant’s order volume. Debonairs Pizza aims to provide timely deliveries, but during peak periods or adverse weather conditions, delivery times may be longer than usual.
Online Presence and Ease of Reservations
The creativity of Mr Bigg’s restaurant and Debonairs is reflected in the integration of modern technology, such as online ordering, mobile apps, and websites. These innovations enhance convenience and streamline the customer experience.
Their websites provide essential information about their menu, locations, promotions, online ordering, and delivery tracking.
While they both primarily operate on a walk-in basis rather than reservations, they also offer online ordering and delivery services. They are also available on food delivery apps such as Chowdeck.
Mr Bigg’s and Debonairs Pizza also maintain an active presence on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Special Features
Mr Bigg’s restaurant and Debonairs Pizza do not offer special features like live music or themed dining experiences.
However, Mr Bigg’s sometimes offers value meals, combo deals, and promotions, allowing customers to enjoy their meals at competitive prices.
Debonairs also engages in promotional activities like ‘buy one, get one free’ offers, and other forms of discounts.
