Greasy Spoon Cafes

[westerndave]

I don't think all Greasy Spoon cafes are that bad. There is a stereotype of them though.

Like everything there is good bad and indifferent but true traditional greasy spoon cafes are a dying breed. A. Good greasy spoon cafe is right up there for me as one of my favs and a lot of them have moved on from what you describe, they are clean(er) cheap sauce has been replaced by quality sauce and your plate is not swimming in grease either. A good greasy spoon breakfast has to rank as one of if the most best value money spent on a meal out

 

[43096]

Unfortunately the veggie option was rubbish.

I thought you lived in the 1950s which was before veggie food was invented?

Presumably cash payment was an option.

 

[Dai Corner]

I thought you lived in the 1950s which was before veggie food was invented?

Presumably cash payment was an option.

Excuse me a moment, I just need to wipe this beer off my phone screen

 

[yorksrob]

I thought you lived in the 1950s which was before veggie food was invented?

Presumably cash payment was an option.

They had vegetables in the 1950's.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Does Pete's Eats in Llanberis count ?

It's up for sale apparently. Though not been owned by "Pete" since 2014 I think.

I'd say it was one, though.

 

[PMH]

£12.95 for a 'Bills Brunch'
£9.50 for a Cote Full Breakfast


Overpriced, middle classed, pretentious..... no thanks (maybe sometimes)


A 'Greasy Spoon' offers a quick meal (normally a fry up) that's hot and almost instant. They have moved on from what they were years ago but still hold that 'greasy spoon reputation. I've had plenty of decent fry ups in a 'Greasy spoon' A decent Cafe is a joy to behold and an important part of the UK High Street experience.

Agreed, esp in otherwise expensive areas.

Some of my favourite and best value cafes have been in parts of London that are otherwise on the expensive side. Take them over a soulless chain any day.

 

[yorksrob]

Went to a cafe in Leeds for breakfast today. They charged for a hash brown separately but I asked to exchange the mushroom (which came with the breakfast) for a hash brown because mushrooms are fungus and therefore inedible.

I'm pretty sure I got charged extra for the hash brown, which makes me cross.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Went to a cafe in Leeds for breakfast today. They charged for a hash brown separately but I asked to exchange the mushroom (which came with the breakfast) for a hash brown because mushrooms are fungus and therefore inedible.

I'm pretty sure I got charged extra for the hash brown, which makes me cross.

I wish such places just let you pay £x per meat item and £y per veg item and create your own. Morrisons did for years but seemingly don't any more. Others seem to get snotty about it - why?

It is why I love Premier Inn breakfasts (and at many of them you can just walk in and pay without staying).

 

[yorksrob]

I wish such places just let you pay £x per meat item and £y per veg item and create your own. Morrisons did for years but seemingly don't any more. Others seem to get snotty about it - why?

It is why I love Premier Inn breakfasts (and at many of them you can just walk in and pay without staying).

Yes, I've done that at premier Inn, although since they discontinued the Bubble and squeak, they've lost a good USP.

 

[D6130]

Yes, I've done that at premier Inn, although since they discontinued the Bible and squeak, they've lost a good USP.

Bible and squeak? Sounds absolutely heavenly!

 

[yorksrob]

Bible and squeak? Sounds absolutely heavenly!

Food of the Gods y'know

Now corrected !

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

mushrooms are fungus and therefore inedible.

I’ve never known such a food where temperature makes such a difference. I think piping hot mushrooms are delicious but cold mushrooms have a horrible, inedible texture that makes me think of eating slugs.

Yes, I've done that at premier Inn, although since they discontinued the Bubble and squeak, they've lost a good USP.

Bubble and squeak was such a nice touch to the original LNER breakfast menu. Just like Avanti ditching my beloved Eggs Benedict, it seems all anyone wants to offer these days is a full English or a naff bacon roll.

 

[yorksrob]

I’ve never known such a food where temperature makes such a difference. I think piping hot mushrooms are delicious but cold mushrooms have a horrible, inedible texture that makes me think of eating slugs.

Bubble and squeak was such a nice touch to the original LNER breakfast menu. Just like Avanti ditching my beloved Eggs Benedict, it seems all anyone wants to offer these days is a full English or a naff bacon roll.

I've eaten a properly cooked snail in garlic sauce before, and it was preferable to a mushroom !

 

[jfollows]

The Eggs Benedict was good; I eat just about anything and I love snails, however I've developed an intolerance to them in my later years so they're just about the only thing off my menu at the moment! However mushrooms in any form or temperature are absolutely fine by me.

 

[Busaholic]

I wish such places just let you pay £x per meat item and £y per veg item and create your own. Morrisons did for years but seemingly don't any more. Others seem to get snotty about it - why?

The son of a friend works in a Morrisons cafe: the arguments between customers and staff were by no means the only reason it was stopped, it was more that customers in the queue behind complained about the time to get served, with many getting pi**ed off and walking out. I've been known to do it myself from time to time.

 

[Trackman]

Are transport cafes still a thing?
I remember my dad taking me to one in London in the 70's- proper heart attack on a plate.

 

[yorksrob]

Are transport cafes still a thing?
I remember my dad taking me to one in London in the 70's- proper heart attack on a plate.

If only !

All yuppie outlets nowadays.

 

[GusB]

Are transport cafes still a thing?
I remember my dad taking me to one in London in the 70's- proper heart attack on a plate.

There's a place just off the A9 at Ballinluig (the Motor Grill) that could probably still be classed as a transport cafe. It has a large parking area at the side for lorries and provides showers for drivers.

It has been a while since I stopped there for food, but it did a fairly decent breakfast the last time.

It.can be incredibly busy at times.

 

[PeterC]

Are transport cafes still a thing?
I remember my dad taking me to one in London in the 70's- proper heart attack on a plate.

There still seem to be some on the A1 but most became redundant as bypasses and motorways rerouted traffic.

 

[LUYMun]

I know of a few greasy spoon places to go to, normally after visiting a railway-related event. I know one café in Addlestone stands out for having fantastic fry up and coffee with a 'homely' atmosphere and friendly owners. I know most cafés charge in the region of £7-£8 for a meal with hot drink. From where I live, I think this is rather decent. I know I was gobsmacked by the prices in London cafés!

 

[Trackman]

If only !

All yuppie outlets nowadays.

I've never seen so much bacon, eggs etc. on a plate to this day.

 

[John Luxton]

Are transport cafes still a thing?
I remember my dad taking me to one in London in the 70's- proper heart attack on a plate.

I use the A49 a lot on trips to the West Country beats the M6 / M5 slog through Birmingham any day.

There is a long standing transport cafe The Lazy Trout at Marshbrook.

Obviously specialises in breakfasts and lunches as it is only open mornings and early afternoons.

Not been there but it's been there years. Recall it being there as a youngster in 60s when my father introduced me to the better route to the south west.

 

[D6130]

Are transport cafes still a thing?

Yes....they're called "Motorway Services" nowadays!

 

[route101]

Yes....they're called "Motorway Services" nowadays!

There was one on the A38 between Lichfield and Burton I noted yesterday.

 

[D365]

I used to use the Regency Cafe quite often when I worked in Victoria, about a 10 minute walk towards Millbank, good quality traditional greasy spoon

Thanks for the tip. I visited today for a ham & mushroom omelette; the food and venue was everything I could have asked for. Definitely will be going back again, not least to try the pesto pasta and/or minute steak!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Thanks for the tip. I visited today for a ham & mushroom omelette; the food and venue was everything I could have asked for. Definitely will be going back again, not least to try the pesto pasta and/or minute steak!

Interesting that you enjoyed it. I suppose if it's good value and you find the quality to be acceptable then there's nothing to complain about really. I do find the atmosphere of traditional cafes very depressing though.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Thanks for the tip. I visited today for a ham & mushroom omelette; the food and venue was everything I could have asked for. Definitely will be going back again, not least to try the pesto pasta and/or minute steak!

I find the sign of a good quality cafe of that kind being omelettes on the menu - they're that little bit more effort to do than just produce lots of bacon and sausage. And they're the only egg product I really do like.

Exception: microwave rubbish as served by e.g. Morrisons cafe.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Not omelettes, but rather hilariously some of the best scrambled eggs I've ever eaten away from my own kitchen were made in the galley of a British Airways A320

 

[D365]

Interesting that you enjoyed it. I suppose if it's good value and you find the quality to be acceptable then there's nothing to complain about really. I do find the atmosphere of traditional cafes very depressing though.

They must be doing something right, because I clocked office workers, contractors, tourists and even a family in for lunch. Reviews for the Regency will back me up - consistently high and praising the hustle & bustle.

 

[43301]

Yes....they're called "Motorway Services" nowadays!

Or a van / container in a layby. Several on the A59.