The Old Chapel Cafe — Restaurant in St Helens

Went on a Sunday dinner time which I appreciate will be a busy period, found a table outside and cleared this ourselves due to staff being busy (we don’t mind if it’s a free table). Ordered at the counter 1 can of pop and a iced coffee, waited around 10 minutes for these to be brought to the table (my fault for ordering the coffee as have to wait for others drinks first). We ordered a toastie and panini, after 45 minutes of waiting a lively lady came out to inform us that one of the items we ordered was not available (again not a massive issue however told us that 45 minutes after ordering they hadn’t even looked at our order) so we changed the item to something else 10 minutes later 1 panini was brought to the table, this was not our order. Took this back about 5-10 minutes later our order arrived. The staff were lovely and when we received our food apologised for the wait explaining that they haven’t been this busy and they are receiving online orders for delivery. The food was gorgeous when arrived and evidently freshly made. Not sure if delivery is being prioritised over customers sitting in and I don’t mind waiting if I am told at the start however 1 hour for a panini and toastie seems like an awfully long wait time. Especially if this wasn’t even looked at for 45 minutes. Would recommend letting customers known at point of ordering the wait times just to prepare them for the wait, luckily we had no other plans with the day but if we did possibly would of had to...

Family was served, but refused order due to then having an allergy. (For context, they have posters up about allergies and asking staff) The lady serving asked if the allergy was serious (what allergy isnt!?) then went into the back and spoke to the owner. When she returned we were told that we couldn't be served for to the allergy (nuts and pineapple, but the order was egg & mushroom on toast). We explained that if cooking areas and utensils were cleaned properly between food preparation then there wouldn't be an allergy problem. So being refused are they even cleaning areas and utensils properly if they refused to serve someone with an allergy? Couldn't give a rating on food or atmosphere, but the service alone isn't good.

Edit after business owners reply: There was no risk to you as a business when the customer is taking responsibility. Do you know how many other places act the same way you do? None. At least not in St.Helens, Widnes, Rainhill or Warrington. Your staff clearly aren't very well trained in allergies, if they were why are we being asked if the allergy is serious? What allergy isn't? Do you only serve those with allergies who don't tell you it's "serious" specifically then? Just as this allergy is no less serious then any other allergy. Your reply only tries to justify where you know you've treated a customer differently than you should, due...

Clean,  brightly lit place with a natural, semi-rustic intended decor. Small, but feels quite open. There is a TV on the wall playing YouTube music videos, which keeps playing ads and giving sign in prompts.

Cold in the winter, in real need of heating. The staff spent the majority of their time in the back keeping warm, though they were very friendly when they ventured out to serve customers.

The ‘All American Burger' comes with fries and homemade coleslaw. The burger patty was succulent and flavourful topped with a cheese slice on a soft toasted bun with a good crisp to the hash brown and onion rings individually, but they both get a bit lost (the onion rings in particular) within the burger.

The fries were hot and fresh with a dusting of salt and paprika.

The coleslaw was finely chopped, cool and fresh.

Overall, an enjoyable and...