Villa Express: Swap your supermarket meal deal for lunch at Derbion's new Mediterranean restaurant

Shopping centres have been heaving during the festive season and Derbion was no different when we visited on New Year’s Eve. 

I decided to make an afternoon of it by visiting Villa Express, an eatery that has been on my radar since it opened in Derbion’s Food Court a few months ago.

It serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes including shawarmas, sandwiches, and Greek fusion dishes, plus a selection of sides and drinks. 

It is their Roxbox dish that caught my eye, which is a kebab with a twist and not how you would usually expect it to be served.

Read more: Food and drink in Derby

Roxbox is a kebab, tiffin and biryani all rolled into one delectable bundle. 

Instead of your usual kebab where meat comes in a wrap or on chips, Roxbox meat is served on a bed of rice, with pickled turnips and signature garlic RoxSauce in a box that is easily transportable home.

I was in a rush so fast food on the go was what I was expecting. 

Villa Express definitely delivered on the speed front.

From ordering at the kiosk, to food being served, took approximately three minutes.

I had Roxbox chicken shawarma which came in a deep box filled with a generous portion of meat and rice.

The taste of the chicken was lightly spiced, but because I was in the mood for ramping up the fire factor, I asked for some more chilli sauce, which did the trick.

The meat was a little on the dry side, but mixed with the sauces, it tasted nice.

I did enjoy the seasoned rice, which also felt like biryani. I think this dish would appeal to those who like the idea of a meal with a twist, so a tiffin, kebab and biryani in one dish, something I haven’t seen on menus a lot. 

The dining partner had Shawarma Poutine which the website says is served on a bed of fries, served with cheese curds, gravy, pickled turnips and topped with signature garlic RoxSauce.

The fries were decent and crisp, however, I feel the dish could have been made more enjoyable if cheese curds - which are traditionally used in poutine - were used, not Cheddar.

Gravy was also sparse, in that I could barely see it. 

Overall, portion sizes of base ingredients such as rice and chips, are definitely on the generous side at Villa Express, perhaps other areas may need finessing.

The eatery is a good pitstop for those wanting something a little bit different. 

I look forward to exploring more of their menu, as I am especially intrigued by their garlic potatoes and Mediterranean plates of shish taouk.

What we ate at Villa Express Derby

Rox Box Shawarma Chicken £4.99

Shawarma Poutine £4.99

Total £9.98

For more information visit their website by clicking here. 

Address: Villa Express, Derbion, Food Court Unit FC01A, Derby DE1 2PL