i used to work as a dispatch rider in london and went to hundreds of cafes and i've seen some of my old faves on your website. i wonder if you can help me find a real gem.... it was a small cafe run by an ex-boxer in his late 50's and had old b&w photos of boxers/fights/promo posters all over the place and i mean from skirting boards to ceilings. the food was good but the character of the place and the people there was awesome. all i can remember is that it was in it's own small building in the greenwich area on a desolate industrial estate. it'd be great to re-visit or see a review cheers and thanks for all that dedicated eating
It may be too far out of the west end for you, but I have a haven of greasy spooned-ness at the end of my road. YORK CAFE on Woolwich Road is clean, friendly and with proper chips. It is even licensed I think. Give it a go!
TJ's Cafe in mortlake sw14 open seven days a weeks, big portions!! cheap. you should definatley visit this place won the "best greasy spoon" in london award 2003
Russell how come we have not seen you at our cafe you are missing a treat. We serve the best all day breakfast in the North West We cater for everyone also we are in the process of taking on the title of the Ace Cafe of the Midlands Regards Lynn & Pete.
May I heartily recommend Sues Cafe in Gillingham Road, Gillingham, Kent (almost opposite the Arriva Bus Depot). Great food, great tea............very good prices for such good quality breakfasts and dinners.
The mess in Hackney is much nicer (and admittedly middle classer) than it's local counterparts (nice sausage rather than pig's bum). Some say it's better than Mario's... Alt for a good proper greasy spoon Dilari's on the corner of Mare Street is pretty good. Packed out every lunchtime and they have a non-smoking side of the room. Finally, if you live near Ealing and you've never been to Starvin' Marvins you're missing out. I was cautiously eating my breakfast with the pancake and maple syrup on one side and the bacon and eggs and hash brown on the other. Then absentmindedly I stabbed a bit of bacon onto the end of my syrupy pancaked-up fork… It's manna from lardarse heaven.
I love yr book and website. I have never commented on one or a blog before as I dont know how to. My son got this space for me. I am trying to get info on my favourite old cafe, The Blue Sky, by corner of Westbourne Grove and Chepstow Rd,London W2, between PAddington and Portobello Rd, which was my home from home from 1974-80.I lived in various squats and flats nearby and hung out with various groovy people in those days.... It closed down a few years ago. I wld love to get photos and the name/address of the lovely Irish waitress and Italian boss.... I have tried the Archives at Westminster City Library but no luck. I am doing a Ceramics degree as a v mature student and want to do an installation recreating a table at it, the light coming thru steamy bright plateglass windows, the smells, food, china,plastic menus, etc etc. I have assembled a load of stuff (tables, chairs etc),but they are not perfect. I wonder if you have any ideas on where I cld borrow/hire perfect stuff in one fell swoop, for a few days in early Jan 07? Most of all I want to get hold of a tape/CD of cafe background noises. Any ideas? Many thanks, Emma
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Ellie's is the kind of hard-working place that's open at 7am on a Bank Holiday Monday. Lovely cup of tea for only 50p.
Surprising amount of potted palms. There was no orchestra. Unexceptional decor. This place is just about getting people in, giving them fry-ups and getting them out.
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I love this site, makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Being raised in a small town close to the sea these classic caffs bring back lots of happy memories.
Posted by: Melissa | November 25, 2004 at 10:19 AM
you need to try Scarthin book shop caff Cromford Derbyshire www.scarthinbooks.co.uk , not far from tors at matlock Bath, its wonderful, also Whirls on South Street Ilkeston, Grindleford Station Caff, Grindleford High Peak & last but not least the Aroma Coffee Bar near the clock tower in Skegness Lincs the last is a bit of a "theme" 60s caff rather than a throwback 1 but it's got some lovely old formica & zinc, high stools in a wonderful art deco frontage & a triumph Bonneville in the window! you don't say where you live so i don't know if you need more info re: locations
Posted by: Sunni | December 02, 2004 at 08:04 PM
I like Scarthin books. Not sure about the cafe though - you wait way too long for a vegetarian pizza. Nice vibe though.
Grindleford is reviewed over at eggbaconchipsandbeans.com. I like it a lot.
Got to go to Skeggy soon. I'll check out that place. And Whirls. Many thanks for the suggestions.
Posted by: russell davies | December 03, 2004 at 02:54 PM
Have you tried any of the Betty's Tea Rooms ? I think there's about six in total. I was in the York branch a couple of weeks ago, which was established in 1919. It's a bit pricey, and at peak times there's a queue to get in, but it has a pleasant, Alan Bennett-esque ambience - all scones, dainty sandwiches, and darjeeling tea !
There were probably places like this on a lot of High Streets up till the 50's or even 60's.
Posted by: Patrick | December 04, 2004 at 08:10 PM
Sadly, the CherryTop in Paddington St. appears to have closed for good. However I can recommend another excellent proper caff not too far away. It's the Sunsnack on the same block in Lissom Grove as the vastly overrated Seashell. Liver, bacon, onions, chips and baked beans with a blinding mug of tea still leaves you with 50p change from a fiver. Brilliant.
Posted by: mike hannett | May 23, 2006 at 10:37 PM
I was glad to see Ellie's Cafe on here, as its owned by my Uncle. Furthermore, I used to work here on the weekends when I was about 17 years old. Its a good place to meet interesting characters.
This was the cafe used in one of Bo' Selecta's sketches from the first season (episode 2, with a look at Britney Spear's day off). So my Egg, Bacon, Chips and Beans was on national TV. LOL.
http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/B/bo_selecta/
I also used to see some celebrities coming here, especially on the weekends for breakfast, such as Billie Piper (when she was a pop singer) and others. But I never bothered them. :)
Posted by: Ahmet Arikan | April 20, 2007 at 01:19 PM
I think the cafe is on Kilburn High Street, not Egdeware Road
Posted by: Ahmet Arikan | April 20, 2007 at 01:26 PM
scarthin cafe is worth a visit, browse for hours for books, eat in the vege cafe, its only 15 mins wait for any hot food except soup, only because everything is cooked fresh, so it worth the wait. all good things come to those who wait.
Posted by: joolz | January 23, 2008 at 09:31 PM