Regular customers of The Royen's in West Ealing believe "it is the best" chicken shop in the borough, however it is not just because of its quality food but its charismatic owner.

Roshan Welikala alongside the help of his family have been running The Royen's for the last two years to the point where they feed hundreds of hungry stomachs six days a week and some even make pre-orders ahead of time to get their chicken fix right away. 

It was not always like this for the Welikala's who had moved to the UK in 2015 with Roshan admitting the first few years being difficult. 

"Growing up I had planned to do politics, my favourite subjects were history, art but with different experiences and time our lives change," Roshan tells Nub News. 

Using Bruce Lee's famous mantra of being adaptable to any environment like water, the Sri Lankan explains that his stints at other chicken shops and restaurants gave him the knowledge he needed to open The Royen's in his own way. 

Roshan Welikala opened The Royen's in 2022 (credit: Cesar Medina).

Roshan says: "We (The Royen's) are in the beginning. I don't take a big margin, just a small margin because if I cheat the customer then they won't come back."

The 49-year-old adds: "I know most of the customers names and I try to not only give 100 per cent service, but also a quality product. 

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"Here, there is enough money for me and my family and two-three people working which is why my prices are not higher and why customers keep coming back." 

While speaking to Roshan, three regulars interrupt to greet the chicken shop boss and place an order. 

One of the regulars say: "It's a pretty good chicken shop with a charismatic owner. Before there was a dodgy chicken shop here with very low reviews." 

The most popular meal at the shop is chicken wings, chips and a drink (credit: Cesar Medina).

Another explains: "The Royen's is the heart of the local community. We come here multiple times a week." 

The third believes what makes The Royen's the best chicken shop in Ealing is "the prices and people you get." 

"Roshan is the best boss man. I have his number just to call him for pre orders so when I turn up I have the food there straight away," they add. 

Helping him to give customers 100 per cent service and quality meals to customers, is his wife Milushi Welikala. 

The name The Royen's, is combination of his kid's, his wife's and his initials (credit: Cesar Medina).

Roshan reveals: "She's the best because she works here, she works in other places, and she helps me at home. 

"She handles the accounts, the paperwork. Everything is handled by her because she has the experience." 

Before leaving him to serve the after-school rush hour of hungry students, I ask Roshan how it feels to have some of them speak highly of him. 

Roshan designed the shop's logo himself (credit: Cesar Medina).

He admits: "It's nice to hear but I have kids the same age as some of the customers that come here so I know what they feel and what they say. 

"For example, if they come in 20p, 50p short I don't care. I give them food. 

"And because of that reason they go home they talk about me and The Royen's." 

Customers can order from The Royen's online on Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat or visit the shop at 310 Northfield Avenue, London, W5 4UB.

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