The Eatery — Restaurant in Chelmsford

Uncomfortable chairs, awful food and generally in need of some TLC.

A few years ago the Eatery was the best café in town offering a wide range of food and drinks to enjoy in a stylishly designed environment. Now though it would appear the owners have become lazy and resting upon their previously found success, with tables which are faded and sticky to the touch and leather chairs which are pealing it’s clear the appearance of the cafe isn’t a priority for the owners.

The food here a few years ago was unbeatable, with fresh high quality standards it was a truly enjoyable experience. In vast contrast to their previous years every time I have been there in the last 18 months I have been treated to two full English breakfasts which have been swimming in oil and completely dried out (almost as if they had been sat under a heat lamp for a while). The most recent time I requested a new item on their menu, poached eggs on avocado toast, this is quite a simple plate so I confident that they wouldn’t ruin this. When the plate came out I was surprised to find two slices of toast with a thin layer of what I’m sure was guacamole with two partly cooked eggs on the top. I can appreciate that poached eggs aren’t easy for everyone however when the albumen (white part of the egg) is still uncooked It does tend to ruin the meal.

My final small gripe is that their card machine has been broken for years. This wouldn’t be a major problem if you weren’t greeted as you walked in by a tatty sign stuck to the card machine saying it was broken. I small gripe I understand but it doesn’t help the general ran down appearance of the place.

If the managers can fix these problems they’d be in for a chance of finding their previously success and I shall not return until I hear they’ve upped...

The Eatery is in a commanding location in the town and it seems to be squandering it's chance to be the best.

I'll start with the staff. They are friendly but not effective and the communication was poor.

Awful breakfast. Had to send it back.

It was very clear that several of the items on the plate had been cooked earlier and left. This seemed to be borne out by the fact that the food was on my table within 2 minutes of ordering.

Fried eggs solid. Sausages appeared to be of good quality, were well cooked but not freshly done and served cold. Bacon undercooked and 'watery'. Beans cold. Hash browns dried out.

Cutlery not properly washed.

Tea pot was grubby on the outside and absolutely filthy on the inside. The picture of the spout is representative of the entire inside of the tea pot.

Dribble of milk in the bottom of a grubby little milk bottle.

When I sent the food back, I was under the mistaken apprehension that it would be replaced by freshly cooked food.

Instead `I was simply left at the table with a side plate of bread an butter. After waiting for about 20 minutes and seeing other peoples food coming out I decided to leave. At the till I found out that there was no intention of replacing the meal or asking me if I would like something else.

I mentioned that the inside of the teapot was rank and was assured that it was deep cleaned after every use. Sadly that cannot be true from what I saw.

Simply cannot recommend this place. It needs a massive kick in the backside to...

Had to come to SWF for our Covid jab. We hadnt had breakfast so hubby offered to take me to the 'cafe where he has had breakfast a few times before'. Being vegetarian and disabled I was dubious as have had bad experiences in the past with some of these cafes - e.g. greasy meat smells, bad service and always felt I was 'in the way'. Well, I neednt have been concerned - from the moment we walked in at midday, I felt very comfortable in the pleasant surroundings with no 'smells'. Even tho they were getting busy, we were treated very politely by helpful staff who made sure I had enough room. The service was swift and with a smile. The food was very good, non greasy and cooked just how I had asked for it - I ordered the vegetarian breakfast. I came out feeling I was glad I went and at such value for money, now look forward to going back - so I will happily give 5...