UPDATES MOVED TO END
I tend to travel quite a bit in both my business and personal life, and much to my partners annoyance love visiting Little Chefs.
I must confess that the only meals I have ever eaten in them have been from their wonderful selection of 'All Day Breakfasts' and can ... Read review
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Advantages: Good, fresh food; usually good service; discount for RAC members Disadvantages: Not enough of them, don't publicise discount policys and changes thereof
...my partners annoyance love visiting Little Chefs.
I must confess that the only meals I have ever eaten in them have been from their wonderful selection of 'All Day Breakfasts' and can honestly say that I have always found their food to be superb ( with the exception of one outlet - see below on locations). The food is always cooked fresh, and the service is generally good and quite speedy. I should imagine that their other meals are ... ...and found a seat, the Little Chef can prove a better option, as we proved on a recent coach trip to Germany.
Of the ones I have visited and can remember vividly, I rate them as follows:
A40 (Just outside Monmouth) - Food - Excellent: Service - Excellent - a little disappointed that they have stopped serving scrambled egg - yes - I am that fussy!) - this is apparently due to the increased risk of salmonella
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UPDATES MOVED TO END
I tend to travel quite a bit in both my business and personal life, and much to my partners annoyance love visiting Little Chefs.
I must confess that the only meals I have ever eaten in them have been from their wonderful selection of 'All Day Breakfasts' and can honestly say that I have always found their food to be superb ( with the exception of one outlet - see below on locations). The food is always cooked fresh, and the service is generally good and quite speedy. I should imagine that their other meals are of a similar quality.
In Leigh Delamare service station, they have a notice advising customers that if they are in a rush, this might not be the best restaurant on site, and they should use the 'fast food' facility next door. Even though it belongs to the same company, this is a very brave statement to make, but if you take into consideration the time spent queuing, the fact that your food is often cold by the time you have paid and found a seat, the Little Chef can prove a better option, as we proved on a recent coach trip to Germany.
Of the ones I have visited and can remember vividly, I rate them as follows:
A40 (Just outside Monmouth) - Food - Excellent: Service - Excellent - a little disappointed that they have stopped serving scrambled egg - yes - I am that fussy!) - this is apparently due to the increased risk of salmonella
Cross Hands, A40, Wales: Food - Excellent: Service - Excellent. UPDATE: Visited this branch w/c 03/12/01 - the Service is totally outstanding and surpasses that I have witnessed even in high class restaurants, their griddled mushrooms weren't too clever, but I didn't even feel guilty eating a fully breakfast as all of it had been griddled. Seating area offers both Smoking and Non-Smoking, and there is also a Burger King attached (all no smoking - although if Little Chef is quiet, they will allow you to take your food across). This branch also has a Travel Lodge alongside, a Petrol Station and unlike many other TL's, is within easy walking distance of a number of local hostelrys if you are ever looking for somewhere cheap to stay in this part of the world.
Hinckley, Leicestershire - Food - Good: Service - Good: Ambience lacking somewhat, environment is little more than a truck stop, but worth a visit.
Meriden, Warwickshire - Food - Good; Service - Good.
Leigh Delamare Services, M4 - Food - Excellent: Service - Good, if a little slow. 05/04/01 - Had a breakfast here yesterday - food as excellent with generous portions (Olympic breakfast) but the prices were higher than road-side Little Chefs - I got "stung" as they have changed their deal on discounts, and no longer offer discounts for AA Members - they do now however offer 20% discount for RAC members, although, like the discount, this change is not publicised anywhere - I understand discount policies change with Little Chef every year in June.
Needless to say, I didn't have an RAC card on me and got stung for £24 for 3 breakfasts. The lady in the shop was unclear as to whether the policy was different on the roadside stores, as we had discount with the AA two weeks ago on the A40.
Cardiff, Junction 30 - M4 - Food - Excellent: Service - I will not comment it really was that appalling.
Gilwern (A465 - Heads of the Valleys road - just outside Abergavenny) - RUBBISH, RUBBISH, RUBBISH - Absolutely chronic appalling customer service, cold food left sitting on the counter for a waitress for over 5 minutes, total failure to follow specific requests, and bringing the kids starters and drinks AFTER their main course. Upon complaining, I was firstly offered the address of the customer services department, and then told I could have the whole meal for free, if I didn't complain. Well, the meal was rubbish anyway, so much for free, and I didn't say I wouldn't write it here - so sorry Little Chef Gilwern - but my money will be staying safely in my pocket as I drive past at least twice a week - All Little Chefs have a customer care policy that if the meal is not up to scratch they will give it to you for free
March 2004 - Gilwern redeemed itself - an early morning meeting in Raglan combined with a bad accident and horrendous traffic jam saw me needing the loo, and as I was quite early for my appointment decided to give them a second chance, absolutely superb, really nice meal, excellent service, but I was the only person in there.
10/12/01 - and Another one (you can tell I am on my travels again) A40 - Llandeilo to Llandovery Road - just past Manordeilo Excellent Food and lots of it - coffee could have been a little hotter (and a little closer to the meal) - Standard Free Daily Mail and CONFIRMED - RAC DISCOUNT - although don't go switching sides for the price of a 20% discount on a Little Chef meal - the young lady advised me that they switch sides so regularly - she has to check each time she is asked. - Food 5/5 - Service 4/5
GOLD STAR AWARD 26/01/02 - Stafford Services (Moto) M6 - this outlet has a wide range of eateries, but not for me when there is a Little Chef on site - Can I just say that the Standard of care and service at this outlet is superb, far better than many 4 star hotels and restaurants I have visited on my travels - BUT, the best waiter is only about 4' 6" and tiny, he looks younger than my daughter but is actually 18 years old, apparently they have another waiter there who is c6' 4" - adds a new dimension to Little and Large - but hats off to Little Chef for giving him a chance - and this guy would win my vote for friendly, efficient and prompt service ANYDAY - TOP MARKS STAFFORD SERVICES - prices are a little higher than Roadside Little Chefs but rest assured this one is well worth a visit. Smoking and non-smoking sections of the restaurant
Think it has just stolen the Golden Star Award from Worcester, sorry Worcester.
FORMER GOLD STAR WINNER Worcester (A38) - between Worcester and Droitwich - just off the M5. Food - Breakfast outstanding although my other half tells me that the fish was somewhat lacking: Service: Outstanding. Ambience - pleasant.
My main complaint about Little Chefs is that there is not enough of them - A big fan? - Yes I am.
Agreed their food is not the cheapest around, but it is generally good quality, and if you get hold of a discount voucher you can get 25% off your bill.
PAYMENT Litte Chefs take all forms of payment, including, cash, electronic cards, luncheon vouchers, credit cards and cheques.
In summary: Good food, good service, plenty of discount vouchers and lots of promotions such as 1/2 price starters of desserts and free drinks refills.
I will update this opinion, when I have the good fortune to visit any more, and update on those mentioned above.
Carlisle (at least about 2 miles north on the A74). A rather cold windy and bleak location but the outlet seems quite new, it houses a travel-lodge, petrol station and the breakfast is good, they even listened to how I wanted my eggs cooked. I am told the mixed grill is pretty nifty as well. ================================
Updated 05/02/02 with a promotion, revisit and yet another a new location which I am afraid Worcester has stolen your long standing Gold Star Award.
=============================================Updated: 14/03/04 Little Chef's no longer offer discounts to RAC or AA members - however there are many vouchers around for those that care to keep an eye out in papers etc for them. Also, if you print out a map from www.multimap.com you will receive a voucher for 25% of the total price of the bill, this gave us a very nice meal last weekend in Worcester for less than £13 including drinks.
Advantages: Location Disadvantages: Food, rip off prices, surly staff
...a strange area, you have little option but to put your faith in a motorway service station or a Little Chef. I stayed at a Travelodge at Washington services in the north east of England just south of Newcastle on a number of occasions & had the choice an overpriced Moto restaurant or an overpriced Little Chef; I chose the latter on a number of occasions for evening meals & breakfast. I have also used Little Chefs in Dumfries, Cramlington & Bristol.
... ...other customers.
I wrote to Little chef complaining about their rip off prices when they were going to charge me 99p for a ration of bacon, 99p for a sausage & 99p for a fried egg if they were added to an existing breakfast meal. I got a real snooty letter back explaining that they have to pay high rental fees for being situated on motorways & they need to charge high costs. However, many of their sites are located on country roads & they charge ...
ScottishWestie 03.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Little Chef - Little Chef
Advantages: No other services between South London and Chelmsford Disadvantages: No other services between South London and Chelmsford
...Indeed, there are about 4 Little Chefs within 20 minutes drive of each other (that's East Anglian logic for you!) Last weekend we stopped at the nearest, although in the past we have sampled the second adn third in line respectively. Apart from a few minor changes in layout, they are all pretty similar. ~~ Appearance ~~ An easy to spot plastic sign with logo of a white-hatted chef on a red background. The facilties here are all on one level, so there ... ...menu, and comes with a little pre-packed pat of butter and pot of jam.
~~ Other Facilities ~~
The cafe is obviously popular with long haul drivers, looking to stretch their legs and grab a bite to eat. To this end, it serves its purpose well. The toilets have always been functioning and clean in my experience, if unfailingly lacking in paper towels! Also available, a few gossip magazines, newspaper, cold drinks and chocolate bars. It has never ...
aspebbles 10.07.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Little Chef - Little Chef
Advantages: Lots of food to choose from, fairly low prices, clean. Disadvantages: Average tasting food, sometimes service drops below satisfactory.
...adjoining Travelodge, I visited the Little Chef in Uttoxeter, for an evening meal and also breakfast the following morning.
- APPEARANCE - Little Chefs can be spotted by the red and white logo (with a picture of a chef and the title 'LITTLE CHEF' underneath, amazingly). There are usually little chef logos along the roadside outside the restaurants so they can be easily seen. Inside, Little Chefs seem to have a standard interior design trhough the ... ...too full-up! On leaving the Little Chef you have to go to the till on your way out (the till is next to the door) which is quick and easy. It also means you can leave when you want rather than waiting for the waiter/ress to bring over the bill etc, which is a good thing. However, on one of our visits we were in a rush and so the waiteress kindly offered to speed things up a little for us - take our order immedietely etc - good service. Although we ...
MissSurfer 05.06.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Little Chef - Little Chef
Advantages: Improved menu, more comfortable seating, good service Disadvantages: A litle expensive
...last set foot in a Little Chef restaurant, over a year in fact, until yesterday that is. I’d always remembered them as expensive places to eat, not particularly comfortable and with rather a bland café style menu and a long wait for your meal to arrive at your table. But yesterday I have to admit to being very pleasantly surprised!
We visited the Little Chef just outside Thame, towards Oxford. There have been some major changes since I was ... ...double bacon cheeseburgers, yayyyy!!) The Little Chef restaurant itself is very roomy, lots of good quality wooden tables and with very comfortable seating, complete with nice thick padded cushions. Considerably better than the old days of hard wooden seating and plastic topped tables!
The first thing I noticed was that they were now offering a selection of goodies you could purchase too, arranged neatly in a display section close to the entrance. ...
Squiggles 18.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Little Chef - Little Chef
Advantages: Available everywhere Disadvantages: Hideously overpriced, poor service, terrible food
...pleasure of visiting on of Little Chef's restaurants (near Morcott on the A47 between Leicester and Peterborough). I feel I must register my disgust at the service myself and my companions recieved in return for what I feel was a ludicrously expensive bill, given the circumstances.
Around twenty minutes after placing our initial order in the little more than deserted restaurant, I was told that my order was unavailable because "the panini machine's ... ...prior to our arrival at Little Chef), but the two eggs were united in their semi- cooked state. My companion was of the opinion that a good biochemist may well have been able to stuff them back into their shell and rear a couple of fairly healthy chicks, given the disposition to do so, and was unable to bring himself to consume them as a result.
- A "Classic Burger": Again, this was most definitely cooked, as was evidenced by the black and charred ...
temporalbandit 19.07.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Little Chef - Little Chef
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Advantages: cheap, comfortable bed, decent bathroom Disadvantages: nowhere to get food from apart from teh Little Chef, nasty pillows
, and not far off bathroom in normal three and four star hotels: spacious, with a great-sized bath, strong and versatile shower and spotlessly clean.
The pull-out sofa was easy to set up, and although I wouldn't fancy my own old bones on its foam matresses, it was perfectly adequate for the children.
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The staff at the reception were polite, efficient and perfectly helpful when required.
The whole Travelodge check in and out process is very streamlined, you normally pay in advance so you don't actually need to check out, and there was no problems with our visit.
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Advantages: Cheap, comfy, no messing check-in Disadvantages: Very hard to find on a dark night!
the lodge is not in Saltash a such. Heading from Gulworthy down the A388 head straight to Carkeel and just outside Carkeel is a large roundabout with a small sign for Saltash Services pointing to the right. As you travel down the entrance road look out for the LittleChef. Park in the LittleChef carpark. Walk from here into the LittleChef/BUrger King entrance and to the right before the LittleChef is the Travelodge foyer. This approach will prevent you having to drive round the services endlessly and asking at the Esso garage like we did!
At the reception was a friendly lady who could see how digruntled we were at all the difficulty of finding the place. She took payment for the room at this stage and gave us our keys. In the foyer, for those of you who may have forgotten something, they have a few products on sale such as shampoos ...
Advantages: Convenient, open 24 hour, clean, good service, food tasty and hot Disadvantages: slightly on the pricey side (but certainly comparable with other service stations)
After an early start today (5am), because of family commitments, we had no kids for the day, and decided to take a ride to Kent (from Swansea) to visit my sister-in-law. En-route, we decided to stop off for something to eat, but the LittleChef's do not open until 7am. After some ill-informed advice from my other half, which left us in the middle of nowhere, with no food to be seen, we decided to bite the bullet and visit the Road Chef in Clackett Lane in between junctions 4 & 5 on the M25.
The entrance to the service station is poorly signposted, and I would advice caution on approach, else you could find yourself in with the lorries and coaches. There is a large car park there which offers two hours free parkings, after which there is a daily fee. This car park however, is home to a number of very severe sleeping policemen ...
sue.51 01.04.2001 (09.04.2001)
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