Where are the Little Chefs going?
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Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
The Google sat shows some LC's as still extant, most closed.
I'll visit a local EG diner this week to see what they doing.
I'll visit a local EG diner this week to see what they doing.
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Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
Little Chef as a brand could have continued successfully if they kept their prices in line with their rivals, instead of charging city centre restaurant prices for often poor quality food, improved the quality of their food and had better customer care and cleanliness. My abiding memory of them will be waiting an eternity to be served with stewed tea and greasy chips and a skinny burger at high prices and sullen staff.
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Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
Glenn, further to Johnathans comment, I drove past it last December and it had been converted into a standalone Starbucks.Johnathan404 wrote:I really don't think you've been paying attention.Glenn A wrote:I wonder how long the Little Chef near Haltwhistle will last as this is the only one I see now. It does seem frozen in time with its seventies building and lighting, which I find appealing, and I hope if it is closed, someone can turn it into a decent restaurant.
Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
So that's gone now as well. I wonder if its comrade at Penrith has gone as that would be the nearest to me.chriscumbria wrote:Glenn, further to Johnathans comment, I drove past it last December and it had been converted into a standalone Starbucks.Johnathan404 wrote:I really don't think you've been paying attention.Glenn A wrote:I wonder how long the Little Chef near Haltwhistle will last as this is the only one I see now. It does seem frozen in time with its seventies building and lighting, which I find appealing, and I hope if it is closed, someone can turn it into a decent restaurant.
Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
They've all gone, since Jan 31
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Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
Still struggling with that concept in this thread aren't weSteveA30 wrote:They've all gone, since Jan 31
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Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
I happened to be near to this today, so I stopped for a cheeseburger and chips (it's the place Jeni posted a photo of on the previous page, at Milford near Stafford).roadtester wrote:Just found it online.roverman wrote:We have a Wimpy 'kiosk' just outside Stafford, I'm told its been here since the 1950s and is claimed to be one of the first. Theres parking for 3 cars out the front and they have plastic seats under a corrugated roof adjacent to the food ordering area. How its still making money I do not know!
Looks brilliant. I'll have to make a detour to try it out - perhaps going to/from the AGM!
Absolutely fascinating - by the way, it's four parking spaces, not three!
It seems to be quite popular.
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Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
I stopped at what was Sleaford LC today, for the co-sited Burger King but the whole building was empty, both LC & BK. Further down the A17 at Sutterton which has a similar internal layout the BK is still open and the LC is now an EG diner.
Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
Was it not the best "fast food" cheeseburger you've ever had?roadtester wrote:I happened to be near to this today, so I stopped for a cheeseburger and chips (it's the place Jeni posted a photo of on the previous page, at Milford near Stafford).
Absolutely fascinating - by the way, it's four parking spaces, not three!
It seems to be quite popular.
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Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
Yes - it was pretty good. Cooked to order, so had a much fresher taste to it than most fast food.Jeni wrote:Was it not the best "fast food" cheeseburger you've ever had?roadtester wrote:I happened to be near to this today, so I stopped for a cheeseburger and chips (it's the place Jeni posted a photo of on the previous page, at Milford near Stafford).
Absolutely fascinating - by the way, it's four parking spaces, not three!
It seems to be quite popular.
I'm a bit surprised nobody from one of the big burger outfits has said "this looks like an interesting template, I wonder if it would work elsewhere?" Or maybe they have and there's some reason I can't think of why it can't really be replicated - planning, maybe.
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Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
Glenn A wrote: So that's gone now as well. I wonder if its comrade at Penrith has gone as that would be the nearest to me.
sheeldz wrote:The one on the A66 at Penrith already had all it's singage removed and closed off yesterday as I drove past. Must have closed earlier in the year.
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Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
Does Wimpy still do that strange sausage in a bun?roadtester wrote:Yes - it was pretty good. Cooked to order, so had a much fresher taste to it than most fast food.Jeni wrote:Was it not the best "fast food" cheeseburger you've ever had?roadtester wrote:I happened to be near to this today, so I stopped for a cheeseburger and chips (it's the place Jeni posted a photo of on the previous page, at Milford near Stafford).
Absolutely fascinating - by the way, it's four parking spaces, not three!
It seems to be quite popular.
I'm a bit surprised nobody from one of the big burger outfits has said "this looks like an interesting template, I wonder if it would work elsewhere?" Or maybe they have and there's some reason I can't think of why it can't really be replicated - planning, maybe.
I've thought for a while the Irish diners like Rockin' Joes, and Eddie Rockets would fit well in place of LC.
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Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
Yes, the Bender is still a core element of the Wimpy menu!exiled wrote:Does Wimpy still do that strange sausage in a bun?
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Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
Low overheads?roverman wrote:We have a Wimpy 'kiosk' just outside Stafford, I'm told its been here since the 1950s and is claimed to be one of the first. Theres parking for 3 cars out the front and they have plastic seats under a corrugated roof adjacent to the food ordering area. How its still making money I do not know!
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Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
There's always been customers whenever I go past it. I tend not to visit fast food joints these days but I could make an exception. After all, I am probably the closest Sabristi to it.Moore_O wrote:Low overheads?roverman wrote:We have a Wimpy 'kiosk' just outside Stafford, I'm told its been here since the 1950s and is claimed to be one of the first. Theres parking for 3 cars out the front and they have plastic seats under a corrugated roof adjacent to the food ordering area. How its still making money I do not know!
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Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
With apologies to Red Dwarf fans...Hdeng16 wrote:Still struggling with that concept in this thread aren't weSteveA30 wrote:They've all gone, since Jan 31
From 2:40 https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotatio ... Hrwut2dV0k
Lister: Where are the Little Chefs, Hol?
Holly: They're closed, Dave.
Lister: Where is?
Holly: Everywhere, Dave.
Lister: What, Colchester?
Holly: Everywhere's closed down, Dave.
Lister: What, Towcester?
Holly: Everywhere has closed, Dave.
Lister: What, Selby Fork?
Holly: They're all closed. Everywhere's closed, Dave.
Lister: Peterborough isn't, is it?
Holly: Everywhere is closed, Dave.
Lister: Not Chelmsford?
Holly: Gordon Bennett! Yes, Chelmsford, everywhere, everywhere's closed, Dave!
Lister: Ringwood?
Holly: They're closed, Dave, everywhere is closed, everywhere is closed, Dave.
Lister: Wait. Are you trying to tell me everywhere is closed?
Holly: I wish I'd never let him out in the first place.
Last edited by Big Nick on Wed Feb 21, 2018 21:43, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
The company still seems to be in denial - Website still going strong as of 21.02.18. Has menus, a restaurant locator and a statement asking customers to bear with them while stores are being refurbished and website updated. Customers are still being invited to join their loyalty scheme!
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Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
What about Amesbury Countess? Is that closed?
Called in to Ilminster EG Diner today, on the way back from the A358 consultation at Ruishton. It has the LC menu on a new unbranded menu card. The Olympic breakfast is now the Mighty One and 15p more. The Jubilee pancake is the Anniversary pancake. In 2 months EG have to make up their mind about all these limbo cafes.
I was going to the KFC near J25 for a nice chi........Doh!
Called in to Ilminster EG Diner today, on the way back from the A358 consultation at Ruishton. It has the LC menu on a new unbranded menu card. The Olympic breakfast is now the Mighty One and 15p more. The Jubilee pancake is the Anniversary pancake. In 2 months EG have to make up their mind about all these limbo cafes.
I was going to the KFC near J25 for a nice chi........Doh!
Roads and holidays in the west, before motorways.
http://trektothewest.shutterfly.com
http://holidayroads.webs.com/
http://trektothewest.shutterfly.com
http://holidayroads.webs.com/
Re: Where are the Little Chefs going?
That's my nearest Wimpy - I know it well although I've never actually been there.Truvelo wrote:There's always been customers whenever I go past it. I tend not to visit fast food joints these days but I could make an exception. After all, I am probably the closest Sabristi to it.Moore_O wrote:Low overheads?roverman wrote:We have a Wimpy 'kiosk' just outside Stafford, I'm told its been here since the 1950s and is claimed to be one of the first. Theres parking for 3 cars out the front and they have plastic seats under a corrugated roof adjacent to the food ordering area. How its still making money I do not know!
It's one of the things I always look out for when I'm travelling along the A513 (which isn't that often to be honest) as I can't help thinking if it disappears then the rest of the chain will soon follow.
We could have an awayday there - or in the pub next door - just for the novelty you understand.
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