The Deanery — Restaurant in Tamworth

I’ve used this cafe for several years and the quality, consistency of the food and service has always been excellent. However, the cafe recently changed hands and as feared the quality of the food has gone down! Usually go in with friends for breakfast. We noticed a number of negative changes. Firstly, the quality of the bacon and sausage’s has gone down. The sausages is full of cereal rather than meat which was there case before and the bacon is thin and just not the same. The previous owners used local Packington meat produce. Even the napkins are as thin as toilet roll and disintegrate on use! Also the prices have gone up! The other day bumped into some acquaintances outside Tamworth and they knew I used the Deanery and asked me about how I found the new set up? Well it turns out they had the same issues! I said to my friends prior to the changeover, that if things change for the worse, they will loose customers as the customer base were very loyal to the previous owners because of a number of factor, namely good quality food prepared at a consistently high standard, efficient and friendly staff, good and timely service and value for money. The last time we were in we waited 45 minutes for the food to turn up! The acquaintances I mentioned said that their order had been forgotten and they waited half an hour for toasties! My friends and I noted the miserable face of one of the staff taking orders. Looked like they didn’t want to be there? If the business doesn’t buck its ideas up soon, I’d be surprised it’s still in business in 12...

I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease and eating out recently has been so overwhelming. I’ve been to restaurants that claim to have gluten free options but unfortunately due to lack of awareness of cross contamination has made me extremely sick.

The deanery on the other hand. What an exceptional business. They don’t have any gluten free alternatives. But I was out with my family and I decided to see if they had anything safe to eat. I literally just said I have celiac disease, what is safe for me to eat? And the server went out of her way to check in the kitchens for me. They said the breakfast would be safe for me to eat, and said as the sausages can’t be guaranteed they wouldn’t recommend eating them.

They swapped out anything that might make me sick for something else and made sure that my families toast was kept absolutely separate from my food. I was so happy, and I haven’t fallen ill today at all. I will return again as the food itself is absolutely spectacular, so yummy!

Thank you so much for your kindness it meant...

Disappointed by lack of communication and portion mix-up

I have been to this café several times, but my most recent visit left me feeling frustrated and unheard. I clearly requested a simple breakfast: a single piece of toast with egg and mushrooms, plus a mug of tea, I’m trying to eat more healthily and avoid wasting food.

Instead, I was served two rounds of soggy toast piled high with eggs and mushrooms, far more than I needed. I was charged £8, which isn’t bad value for what I received, but it certainly wasn’t what I asked for.

To make matters worse, the server had to ask me to repeat nearly every part of my order, even though I’d stated it clearly. At no point did she mention that the café doesn’t offer single-slice portions; otherwise I would have gone elsewhere for a lighter breakfast.

The lack of empathy and care shown during this visit has solidified that I won’t be returning. A little more listening and a simple heads-up about portion options would go a long way toward keeping loyal...