Greedies — Restaurant in London

I've been coming here for 30+ years and it has always been consistently good. The prices went up significantly after COVID but quality was always good and great range of choices were maintained. Recently the owners of 25 years have moved on and I'm not sure the new owner knows what a gem he has here. First thing that changed were the existing large sturdy chairs which were replaced by cheap conference chairs, which are quite low and rather flimsy. Next (a very good thing I think) was he replaced the front doors, which had been crying out for change for years. The staff were given 'uniforms' to wear instead of the usual black and white of the past. Nice, but not sure needed as it makes it look like one of those cheap high street cafes which all have exactly the same gaudy menu card in blue and white plastic on the wall, which Greedies thankfully never was. The front area has always been a bit tight for room, and the back conservatory unusable in summer as, with windowed walls/ceiling, it is like a greenhouse and too hot to sit in. So, it was a very strange decision by the new owner to extend the serving counter, making the front seating area even smaller. I asked and he said he was making room for a bar!!! Eh? It's a daytime cafe, why does it need a bar? Maybe he was thinking of evening service with drinks, but hang on, opening times have also been cut. Used to close between 4:30 and 5pm, but it now shuts at 3pm. There are three local schools within a 2 minute walk which kick out between 2 and 2:45, so I think he has missed a golden opportunity to cater for parents picking up kids, and for kids themselves having a snack after school. Put an offer out there and they might have come. Personally I've been in many times for a late lunch at 3, and there have been a few people coming through, but that opportunity is now gone. My hope was a new owner would keep this local gem doing what it has done so well for the near 40 years I've been going there, but my fear is that more change is on the way, and not necessarily for the better. I'll update this review...

5 of us visited and the food was what you'd expect from a cafe; good stuff, simple and tasty. Unfortunately the price and service just isn't value for money and we agreed we won't be going back.

Checked the menu on their website to save time but prices on the chalk menu board were all higher. If you're paying £8.50 for a breakfast you at least expect flexibility but they DO NOT like requests at all. This is even written on the set menu to be fair but I've never been in a cafe (and I've been in a lot) that employ that stance and rudely stand by it.

A tea/coffee comes with set meals. 1 of the group doesn't drink tea/coffee so politely asked for a juice instead. The snapped response was, "That's £2.75 more". Canned drink instead? "1.50". He paid the extra and they didn't even chuck the free tea on the table.

Note - unlike most cafes, a latte is not included in the 'free coffee'. 1 of our group assumed it was until he was charged extra with no explanation.

Another of the group had to pay an extra £1 to have eggs scrambled instead of fried. You'd think the cook would at least scramble the eggs. Nope, just a gelatinous blob of powdered egg slapped on the plate to remind you of school dinners circa 1993. £9.50 and ya wouldn't scramble eggs?!?

Tip... order things individually to save money! Poached eggs are £1.20 each Toast is £1.00 Want 2 poached eggs on toast? That's £4.00 on the menu so save £0.60 by asking for it separately.

We weren't brave enough to test this theory and I see a tense staredown if ya pointed out the loophole and tried it.

The place is clean, well laid out and easy to park near. The food is what it is. For us the cost, inflexible approach and unfriendly staff just made it a...

Unfortunately after numerous attempts to try the poach eggs , there always under cooked , service isn’t bad but could be better , for the price you pay you’d exspect a five star service and not a two star service , over priced for what it is , the name says it all “greedies” ,overall we came here a lot over a 9 week period as we was working near by , the portions got smaller the price changed everyday and ultimately the service got worse and worse . A pint of orange juice in the end was costing £4.25 , which I think Is totally Unacceptable when they have the front to have a juicer on the front counter where you can see you £4.25 going through the motions , as for the toast - at first I thought they misheard me and thought I said no butter then I soon realised they just didn’t fancy buttering the whole slice . Or maybe it was where it was left under hot plate for so long , after 3 attempts at the salmon bagel , the portion got smaller then the bagel came out with mould on , so ultimately we won’t be returning and would strongly advice other people not to waste there...