Juddian:
Get away from truckstops and find good pubs,
Harder and harder to find. It’s a pandemic amongst food serving pubs these days for them to join these rotten franchises like Brewers Fayre, Greene King, Hungry Horse etc. all serving up overpriced frozen clobber from the Bidvest catalogue.
I try and avoid them there either over priced or made of plastic if I need something I just drive and ponce a £2-3 meal at Tescos or Morrisons and tell the bod on the loading bay im lost
It all depends which TS I’m at and what they are offering. I always try to stop at a snap accepting TS (company policy) and some offer discounted or inclusive meals within the price.
Caenby Corner is £15 on snap and that includes a £5 meal voucher. Most meals in there are £5 or below. Not bad grub.
Newark is good but most of the time I’ll have a walk into town for a couple of pints and a kebab. There’s a pound pub very close to Newark. £1.50 for a pint of Stella 4.
Lesmahagow, Locherbie, Ecclefechan, Chippenham, Stockyard ar all bloody good.
The biggest disappointment of 2016 had to be Orwell Crossing TS. Went in there at the beginning of the year and was impressed. Went in at the end of the year and was disgusted. The showers are still good but that’s it. The food was absolutely shocking. I have honestly had better food from a burger van at the banger racing.
JollyJack:
Stopped at Skelmersdale TruckStop just off the m58 a few months ago. I usually cook my own food but asked the driver next to me whether he knew if the food was worth buying or not. By golly it was. It was lovely. The truckstop itself was alright - A bit tight parking spots but theres a security guy there who helps reverse you in if its busy.Also recommend Chippenham Pit Stop just off M4 also as there food is brilliant (beats the local MSA)
i was at Chippenham Pit Stop on Thursday night had a full English to take away. noticed they even had a barber shop lol… not keen on walking passed the ses pit though that was a but wiffy while walking to the shop… cheap was well as far as things go
robroy:
Anybody else tried Dougs Diner since the new owners rocked up?
What are your opinions?
ive never been in myself , however on phone to my mate earlier today who said he would probably get to penrith tonight, I asked if he would be calling in there ? def!! not!! apparently foods now poor quality, portions have shrunk and prices have rocketed . as I say not my review just thought I would pass it on .
syramax:
robroy:
Anybody else tried Dougs Diner since the new owners rocked up?
What are your opinions?ive never been in myself , however on phone to my mate earlier today who said he would probably get to penrith tonight, I asked if he would be calling in there ? def!! not!! apparently foods now poor quality, portions have shrunk and prices have rocketed . as I say not my review just thought I would pass it on .
I used to go in every Wed without fail when it was the old place, food was just like a good bar meal rather than a trans cafe.
First time after new owners it was rubbish in comparison, and same meal about a quid dearer, chips were frozen type and greasy, the old place did home made chips cooked perfectly.
Gave it another try about 3 weeks later, and to be fair it was not bad, but still not as good as the old place
Truck park was also quiet with overnighters, which I had not seen before. I haven’t been in for a while, but might try it again to give it a chance, who knows, as they have had time to get their act together.
My Friday treat is a proper breakfast somewhere (I only have one fry up a week), I will usually rate it on service, value for money and the sausage (I’m all about the sausage).
This week I was fortunate enough to be near The Salt Box just off the A50.
Chose the midi option for £5.75 which includes tea and toast.
Excellent value for money, friendly service will defo be going back.
An 8 out of 10 from me.
Sausage score a 6 but rescued by some lovely bacon.
There are some hidden gems out there, this is one of them.
Use them or lose them…
AndrewG:
When i was in the UK the only ones i really used were the Cheerio cafe at Sleaford,n…
I reckon our paths might have crossed, used to stop there a lot in the 90’s, Eileen “me duck” and then Stuart the son in law took over. Think he sold up in the early 2000’s. It was one of those places where everyone chatted and joined in, mass cherie banter. I once puledcin for brekkie, but due to mass cherie banter I didn’t leave for an hour and three quarters, can’t get get away with that now.
As for nowadays, I self catering most nights. But I will eat in at colsterworth, and a few other, mainly depending on if I see some one I know, and fancy a chit chat.
Not sure how folks call Msa food dear , unless you paying cash for it , if you use the meal voucher you get when parking there for the night it’s £2 apx for a meal ( or what ever you can get for £9/10 voucher .
