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Standeford Cafe

18th August 1994, Page 45
18th August 1994
Page 45
Page 45, 18th August 1994 — Standeford Cafe
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Home made fruit pies like your mum used to bake are the temptation that drove CM'S roving gourmet to park up at the Standeford Cafe, on the A449 near Stafford. warm welcome awaits you at the Standeford Cafe, on the A449 a few iles west of Stafford.

The place is known by many titles—"the cafe" or "the farm" are just two of the local names. This could be due to the absence of any name board. It has a wide-ranging menu including roast beef, potatoes and two veg for £3.25, cottage pie with chips and peas for £2.50, and that old chef special—the all-day breakfast at a reasonable sounding £2.85. The guest food critics for this latest Stop Off venue claimed a wealth of truckstop experience. Our senior member was Reg Portlock, a driver for 42 years but not all of them spent with A&S Ellis from Cambridge, (the one near Gloucester). Frank Dearden represents FJS Transport, Oldham. An owner-driver, he claimed 35 years behind the wheel, while CBS Automotive driver Anthony Gardiner was a relative newcomer with 29 years on his CV. Trevor Bailey from Leeds brought up the rear, as you might expect from a driver with Ratcliff Tail Lifts. He was the joker in the pack, who claimed to have been on the road since nine o'clock in the morning. As neither of the panellists had sampled the all-day breakfast, let me begin by saying it was as satisfying a meal as a truckstop could muster. The sausages had that "I've been cooked especially for you" texture, while the bacon was as tasty as I have experienced in the series so far. Not only that the egg was timed to perfection and bordered ( but not smothered ) by diced tomatoes and beans. A fried slice and two slices of bread and spread were included in the price as was the tea. This tasted just like the one you occasionally enjoy at home, but can never consistently repeat.

Reg says: "I chose a simple snack today, two poached eggs on toast. I had a piece of cake too and it cost £2.10. I've been here before and I come back because it's very good. It's home cooking and the atmosphere is very friendly," he says. I enjoyed a lightly crusted apple pie which I was assured with a smile by one of the several women in attendance, had been prepared only a little while earlier. At 60p including the ice cream, it was a bargain I was pleased not to have merely sniffed at. An industry source on a follow-up visit recommended the rhubarb pie. The quality of service at an establishment has to be measured over time.

"The service is first class, there's no two ways about it. I like the people here. I don't like the latest form of truckstop," says Frank. He has used the cafe for several years and even stayed overnight here before now with good reports.

The latest form of truckstop this definitely isn't and in terms of the food I'm grateful. An overnight stop oFf here costs £3.00, and although meals end at 20:00hrs, manager Lyn Lawry's Family lives above the cafe and her mum and dad who own it, live in the house next door. A later food order is not out of the question, but ring the bell at reasonable hour.

"The food's all right, there's enough of it," adds Anthony. 'You get it a few minutes after you've ordered it and I've no complaints after nine years," he says. Trevor was in slight disagreement with Anthony on this: "At a truckstop you are looking For fast service, decent food and at a reasonable price. There weren't many people here today and I had to wait about five minutes. I'd hate to have been there when they were busy." I think its fair to say the eggs that went with your ham and chips might well have tasted rubbery rather than lovely, had they been waiting for you on arrival. Trevor was satisfied with the price, which at £2.50, he agreed was reasonable but he was was not completely convinced about the service.

The toilet block is separate From the cafe and so there is access all night to the washing facilites and shower. Please leave the plugs, however. Although none of our panellists was guilty, visitors do have a habit of collecting them.


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