(UPDATE: Revisited January 2013. Tony's seems to be closing.)
Tony's is a bastion of ungentrification in Nappy Valley - fueled by the appetites of the stall-holders on the market.
A great ebcb. Strangely compelling texture to the egg. Like it's been cooked at least a couple of different ways. Some of them previously unknown to culinary science. Decent amount of bacon and irresistible chips.
And look at these fellows. Brilliant. The icing on the cake. Worth the price of the ebcb on their own. Hurrah.
The interior is redolent of all sorts of Battersea nostalgia. 60s Up The Junction type misery or the 80s squeeze version. A splendid place.
The interior is so retro! I love it.
Posted by: Em | July 27, 2005 at 03:53 PM
I have to tell you that I adore your blog! I got to live in London for 3 months a few years back and now I'm regretting that I didn't eat ebcb every day. I live in New York City and you can only find ebcb at British eateries where they're overpriced because of the kitsch value. It's a shame really.
Posted by: Nerdalie | July 28, 2005 at 03:16 AM
I am loving the sale and pepper shakers.
Posted by: The Other Anne | July 29, 2005 at 06:50 PM
thanks Nerdalie, glad you like the site.
Posted by: russell | August 01, 2005 at 08:24 PM
Bacon and Egg's - you just can't beat a good plate of Bacon and Egg's! Brunch? Bagles? French Toast? Do me a favour! - Bacon and Egg's! - that's what I'm talking about.
Posted by: Reggie | August 05, 2005 at 12:09 AM
Love the sign. Why is the possessive S so bloody big? And why all the space? To make room for "Cafe"?
Excellent find, and you're so right about the retro-'80s music video feel. What band now would film inside a cafe?
Posted by: ted mills | August 18, 2005 at 08:07 PM
Looks so brilliantly like something from up the junction
Posted by: Annie - London Underground Blog | September 11, 2005 at 06:19 PM
Love this blog, even though it makes me really hungry!!!
Posted by: Dave | September 14, 2005 at 03:00 PM
thanks Dave, that's good to hear
Posted by: russell | September 14, 2005 at 04:49 PM
i just love it but hink ou should change your name to tony yellow
Posted by: jamie | October 31, 2005 at 11:47 AM
I used to stay in the flat above the cafe from December 83 'til spring of 85. It was owned and run by George (Greek Cypriot can't remember surname)and his family. We regularly ate there. It looks like it has rightly remained a bastion to the old Battersea - gentrification began in early 84' herringbone pavements and estate agents! I have a picture of me standing outside the cafe if you need any old photos.
Andy Brown - Portishead Bristol
Posted by: Andy Brown | March 26, 2006 at 04:21 PM
Tony's is a Northcote institution.
I took a couple of photos of the cafe to a local framing shop a while back. The girl working there, Battersea born and bred (a rare breed), recognised Tony immediately and said "the day Tony's cafe closes is the day Northcote Road dies". Couldn't agree more. The pictures are now on the wall in the cafe (opposite wall to the one pictured). I'll send you electronic copies if you want...
In reply to Reggie's post above, I was talking to Tony last summer about the sign as he was considering changing the colours. He said that he painted the sign with his own fair hand and messed up the "S" a bit, so it wasn't intentional. Thankfully he decided not to change the sign in the end.
Here's to years more hungover Sundays indulging in Tony's legendary Breakfast Special.
Posted by: Jonny Crabb | April 03, 2006 at 01:50 PM
i also lived in the flat above the cafe circa 1983 where i met andy brown. George & his wife ( who ran the Launderette in her spare time!) were two of the nicest people i met in London. I have many happy memories of the food i noshed in the Cafe.
Posted by: steve barlow | April 04, 2006 at 05:43 PM
hi there
i sale bacon the chepest you can find
miki
0431728202
Posted by: miki | April 30, 2006 at 11:19 AM
Love this site as much as I love Tony's. One question - I'm a big fan of chips with my fry-up, but have many friends who regard this as treason, claiming the only legitmate source of stodge should be a fried slice and/or accompanying plate of bread & butter. Anyone got any thoughts on the subject?
Posted by: Peter | May 02, 2006 at 11:25 AM
Yes I think chips are legit, but not fries. I might be tempted to say that baked beans are required if you are having chips, but that would just be personal taste rather than morals. Good point, though.
Posted by: Sam | June 06, 2006 at 06:59 PM
surprised that no one has mentioned this previously but the S+P shakers actually LOOK like tony...
Posted by: axel bouchaux | October 07, 2006 at 12:30 PM
I've always thought chips with breakfast was wrong. Until I went to Tony's that is. Fantastic chips. Not like the pale undercooked ones you get in all English chippies.
Posted by: Mary | January 14, 2007 at 07:06 PM
hi to everyone on the site and to my precious customers who have left comments on my cafe! thankyou so much for your comments, i've become very emotional indeed. if there are any comments about the food or the cafe please keep sending them on for me. i have left my email for any personal messages. Thankyou again!
Posted by: TONY | February 01, 2007 at 06:29 PM
Hi. Word on the street is that Tony has now changed the sign above his shop. You didn't hear it from me ....
Posted by: Sandra | April 30, 2007 at 10:35 AM
Tony's is simply amazing, delicious food and friendly service.
Posted by: Tom | December 24, 2007 at 12:37 PM
as in there today and the scrambled egg is a very tasty too
Posted by: ian | January 18, 2008 at 07:36 PM
The best breakfast fry up in SW11! In a time where Northcote Road continues to gentrify with chain stores, estate agents, and soulless "posh" restraunts and bars, it is reassuring to see Tony's still in business.
Presided over by Tony, the larger than life personality who is equal parts owner, cook, Maitre'd, and entertainment.
An unreconstructed greasy spoon cafe where builders and market stall owners rub elbows with lawyers and City workers. Superb breakfast menu.
Personalised service, friendly banter, affordable prices, and a great environment overall. An oasis in the midst of all the expensive boutiques and estate agants that have taken over Northcote.
Enjoy this simple pleasure while it lasts!
Posted by: Tom | May 07, 2008 at 05:40 PM
I was here a few days ago.
Tony's landlord is putting the rent up 120%. I'm not sure whether this is the final offer or the opening salvo in the rent review negotiations. Anyway, there's a petition being organised to present to the landlord.
To reiterate previous comments, this area has seen a tsunami of gentrification in the last 20-25 years. Even those independent shops( some good, some a bit twee) that displaced the retail relicts of this area's working-class past are now being threatened by the usual clone town high street chains. Wandsworth Council may do something to stop Northcote Road going the way of most of London's retail areas, but there's no guarantee this will happen.
I'd advise everyone that likes this place to get down there asap, and as often as possible. Don't forget to sign the petition.
Posted by: Patrick | May 23, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Further to Patrick's comments, PLEASE, PLEASE if you're passing Tony's whilst shopping, pop in and sign the petition. I, for one, can't imagine Northcote Road without Tony's!! Let's do all we can.
Posted by: Sandra | June 24, 2008 at 01:08 PM