Little Chef, do you go now?

[bga]

Through a rather large dose of fluke it appears that it was the Popham one that we went to. If I had known that I would have checked the menu more thoroughly! With that in mind, my comments only apply to that one!

[GregE240]

No okgo, there is one near York and also one on the A14 near Kettering.

Podie and Rude Girl took me and my missus to the Kettering one. It was amazing, really good food, great service, and the new decor is really nice as well.

No complaints at all.

[okgo]

GregE240 said:

No okgo, there is one near York and also one on the A14 near Kettering.

Podie and Rude Girl took me and my missus to the Kettering one. It was amazing, really good food, great service, and the new decor is really nice as well.

No complaints at all.

Ahh fair enough.

I used to go in the popham one all the time, as my dad keeps his plane there, would like to check it out now though!

[Don]

I quite fancy trying the Popham one since Heston The Bald had a go at improving it. Didn't watch the series but like any bloke I enjoy a decent fry up. The key thing will be if I can buy one of the breakfasts and it be genuinely good. The key thing, IMO, that usually needs improving (apart from service, decor, and the staff attitude) is the quality of the ingredients - particularly the sausages.

Those bready, stty ones most places serve up are fairly dire.

[beanbag]

Haha! My old man used to work for Little Chef back in the 1980's. The best thing I remember was the fish and chips, Little Chef lollipops and my dads secretary who bought me the coolest Transformer toys when I went to see him in the office!

[Podie]

As GregE240 has said, stick to the "Heston'd" ones and you'll be fine, the others are all as bad as they ever were.

Popham, York and Kettering West are the ones with the revised, tasty, menu.

[y2blade]

We did a SAS run to the one at Popham a few weeks after the make over, it was alright

but I have not been back since

[Don]

y2blade said:

We did a SAS run to the one at Popham a few weeks after the make over, it was alright

but I have not been back since

You wouldn't really have cause to, though, would you?

You usually visit Little Chefs or the equivalent when travelling long distances and you need a meal stop. I can do a mean fry up at home and the Popham place just isn't that far away. I'm more likely to visit/revisit the other ones to be honest!

[Podie]

Don said:

y2blade said:

We did a SAS run to the one at Popham a few weeks after the make over, it was alright

but I have not been back since

You wouldn't really have cause to, though, would you?

You usually visit Little Chefs or the equivalent when travelling long distances and you need a meal stop. I can do a mean fry up at home and the Popham place just isn't that far away. I'm more likely to visit/revisit the other ones to be honest!

Having driven from the Midlands on the way to the South coast, we made a minor detour to go to the Popham one, and enjoyed it. Having waxed lyrical somewhat, we popped to the Kettering one down the road with GregE240 and his good lady, and enjoyed it. Trekking back on a weekly basis isn't on my list of priorities though..

However, given the choice of a MaccyD's, Burglar King, or a manky sarnie, I'll take the Heston'd Little Thief option if it's available, thanks.

[Don]

Podie said:

However, given the choice of a MaccyD's, Burglar King, or a manky sarnie, I'll take the Heston'd Little Thief option if it's available, thanks.

Absolutely. Me too. But you're not making the competition sound good.

Little Thief's competition is the pubs along the way, I reckon. If you're willing to drive off the main road for just a few minutes there's a huge choice. With "The Good Pub Guide" in your glovebox Heston's places will have to pull their weight. I haven't tried one yet (but intend to) but I know that the un-Heston'd Little Thieves don't compete with the pub at all.

[y2blade]

Don said:

y2blade said:

We did a SAS run to the one at Popham a few weeks after the make over, it was alright

but I have not been back since

You wouldn't really have cause to, though, would you?

You usually visit Little Chefs or the equivalent when travelling long distances and you need a meal stop. I can do a mean fry up at home and the Popham place just isn't that far away. I'm more likely to visit/revisit the other ones to be honest!

Don I quiet often have a dawn run on the Fireblade while the roads are empty, and pop in somewhere local'ish on the way home for breakfast

have not really had the urge to go back in the little chef though

Edited by y2blade on Thursday 21st January 13:36

[dilbert]

Do they still do those Jubilee Pancakes?

[zakelwe]

Supermarkets that have a cafe are very good value and same standard, I'd go there if I was looking for an alternative.

However, there is something very "holiday" by visiting a Little Chef whilst driving to the coast for a traditional british holiday. Break open the knotted hankies and rolled up trousers!

Andy

[Brilad]

OK now and again.

Seems to be understaffed, therefore they are usually pissed off and don't really 'do' service.

Used to like the Olympic breakfast (a few years since I last visited though).

Where are all the decent old-style Caffs?? Over the past few years I have had to drive down to Norfolk quite a bit and some of the independent places are worse than the LC - they have got the 'no service, st food, rip off prices' bug as well.

Better off taking a packed lunch.

Are there any POI databses for good greasy spoons?

[BJG1]

The Heston one outside York is fab, Belly of Pork salad was excellent, as was their chicken dish. Waffle for dessert was excellent too.

[porka944s]

Ive seen the one in popham on my way past at 70 mph! looked good ha ha

[bga]

Don said:

The key thing, IMO, that usually needs improving (apart from service, decor, and the staff attitude) is the quality of the ingredients - particularly the sausages.

The bangers are OK but nothing better than that. I would say a decent supermarket sausage is better and a good butchers one obliterates them.

[F i F]

bga said:

Don said:

The key thing, IMO, that usually needs improving (apart from service, decor, and the staff attitude) is the quality of the ingredients - particularly the sausages.

The bangers are OK but nothing better than that. I would say a decent supermarket sausage is better and a good butchers one obliterates them.

I have to agree, the bangers at the Kettering one are better but nothing compared to a decent Sainsbo's TTD or even their reduced fat ones.

But essentially when the chain has been Heston'd then they should resume their former place.

Thinking about it wasn't there a thread started on here about good greasy spoons? Should have been a wiki and stickied. I've got a good one if anyone starts one. Biker friendly too.

[jamiebae]

Went to one between the M25 and Southend last week, first time I've been to one in years. Service was poor and the food was average at best - the fish was OK but the chips were terrible, and I don't own a whippet or a flat cap, therefore I don't want bread and butter with my fish and chips!

I'd go to a Heston'd one to try it out but won't be stopping at a regular one again in a hurry.

[markoc]

jamiebae said:

Went to one between the M25 and Southend last week

On the A127? Thats my "local" - I've been twice and I'd agree it isn't up to standard. I only ever go to a Little Thief for an Olympic Breakfast. The one at Fontwell on the way to Goodwood is particularly good in this respect.

Worst I've had is on the M1, Toddington I think. Shocking.