Mr Egg, 22 Hurst Road, Birmingham

Mr Egg is a magnificent place in the middle of Birmingham. The ebcb is splendid. Look at that decorative plate for a start. The chips are crisp and delicate, the beans juicey and energetic and the bacon's got that delicious hint of carbonisation. And bless that modest little egg, hiding away at the back there.

The interior is great practical cafe stuff. Easy to clean. Suitable for all kinds of patrons; the drunk and the sober. But it's also got some great little hints of exuberant individuality.

They're obviously equipped to deal with tons of customers - all at once. There's a real industrial feel to some of this stuff.

Perfect place to sit and watch Brum go by.

Sugar is one of those difficult decisions cafes have to make. Will it be sachets, bowls or dispensers? Or will it be - as per Mr Egg - one of these fantastic sugar stations? With, in this instance, a place for the dumping of tea bags. Mr Egg's gone for the plastic spoons but I'm always a fan of the places that have just a few metal spoons - stored in a mug of lukewarm water for extra hygiene.

See the bottom of this sign. Mr Egg managment. Simultaneously sinister and cute. Like the Mafia in Toy Town, running a speakeasy around the back of Noddy's place.

A helpful photographic menu accompanied by charming illustrations of Mr Egg himself.

And the coup de cafe - a large cloth egg stapled to the ceiling.

I don't seem to have a good exterior shot. (Though Pete Ashton's got one here). Except for this great sign outside. You can also eat like a king if you'd prefer.

Comments

[Pete Ashton]

That photo's just a stock one from Google, in case anyone wants to credit me for it's wonderfulness.

Nice to see Mr Egg reviewed, I must say, though I wasn't so impressed with the food the last time I went in. That said, it was at 2 in the morning and I suspect they don't put quite so much effort in then.

Bit of trivia - in the 90s the tag line was "Eat like a King for a Pound" but as prices rose it kinda lost its snappyness. They also used to ONLY do meals with eggs, but that has changed a bit too.

Glad you noticed the ceiling - with all the smoking and grease in the air I wonder how often it gets cleaned?

[Karen Fry]

Nearly two years in Birmingham and I hadn't been to Mr Egg till last Wednesday. Must say I wasn't as impressed as I thought I might have been, but with egg + chips + a cuppa for £2.10, I perhaps shouldn't be too picky! Must do a review of the Reservoir Cafe at some point, but as someone nicked the digital camera from work I'll have to wait till I've got round to buying my own.

[MrJuggles]

The great thing for me about MrEgg is the menu. I went in thier with a young boy who's autistic and for has only ever eaten bacon (of occasion) and McDonald's fries, everything else he turns his nose up at and refuses to eat.
The reason I went in thier was for a plate of chips for him. However as soon as he saw the menu with pictures on he went straight to it and chose EBCB (this really is the truth) and ate the bloody lot. Greasy spoons with picture menus are fantastic for him as he can see what he wants to eat.

[frangar]

Without doubt one of the WORST cafes I have ever been in - and thats a lot! No bacon - just reconstituted "bacon flavour product", barely warm egg and not even a good cup of tea. Have always previously used the cafes in the market halls and will be going back to them next time!

[helen mccaigue]

i heart Mr Egg

[Claude]

Do you remember when the outside sign read "EAT FOR A KING FOR £1", like ten years ago or even less. Now it's £3.

However, it's still good value for money. Nice cafe, greasy as fuck, but that's what's good about it. Proper hangover stodgearama.

Mr egg is an institution!