GAIL's Bakery Billericay — Restaurant in Basildon

Our first vist here, with my Pops. Scraps of food left on the table, by previous diners, which we had to clear away. Aside from the member of staff getting our order wrong: only asked for poached eggs to be shared and got twice the amount, the food was vastly overpriced and bland. Clearly prepared from frozen, the poached eggs were hard, the dip irrelevant and the sour dough toast, indifferent. The pot of tea, complete with one spoonful of loose tea, was weak and quickly went cold. When we complained that the poached eggs were hard, the explanation was the oven: apparently, the staff were getting to grips with the oven that was difficult to use and did not give the right results. Maybe staff should have given a warning along the lines of: “Please don’t expect your overpriced breakfast to be your liking as we don’t know how to use the oven.” No mention of an apology, just another workman blaming their tools. Cheaper to eat in Harrods. Will not be going back to...

Popped in today and had a coffee and cake. Amazing selection of breads, pastries and cakes and I was served by a very pleasant young lady. Found the experience waiting for my coffee let things down a little bit, your name and what you've ordered is shouted out for you to go and collect. Also it was one of the smallest flat whites I've ever had and I thought expensive! It was a Saturday morning which I appreciate is a busy time but there was no one clearing tables and I felt bad that the couple who came to sit at the table next to mine as I was leaving had to pile up all the cups etc from their table onto mine. I would have gladly taken my tray back but there isn't really anywhere to return it to. All in all I think I'd pass on the sitting in next time and take my food away to...

We have been coming here since it opened. At one point every day. We love Gail’s, the food and coffee is the best you will get in the high st.

Normally the staff are always friendly I was served by one of the ladies normally making the coffees. She got my order wrong; I mentioned I ordered something else and they looked at me in disgust and said well that’s what you ordered. No apology or we can make you another one like it or lump it after spending £20 on 2 coffees and 2 yogurts. Plus being loyal customer. Appreciate people have bad days but I haven’t been back since and kind of don’t want to atm.

Friends who also visit say she has been rude to them, but I always said no the staff are so friendly. Now I see what they mean.

Wouldn’t expect this level of service...