Just looking through this thread the mention of Chris’s café on the A40, I Believe its still going ?.
Got me thinking what is the oldest surviving café still serving “the Truckers Breakfast”
I Know Lincoln Farm café near Birmingham Airport and The Riverside on the A4 Colnbrook bypass are still going strong.
Any more offers
Oh the memories (& cholesterol!) of all those Full Breakfasts with Two Eggs & Extra Everything 
It’s a miracle any of us are still alive.
I remeber May’s and the miserble sod. He was in charge one day and wouldn’t let me use the phone to report an accident that needed an ambulance. No cab phones in the '60s. 
If you can still get hold of my book “Where do you want this lot” it has several chapters on old cafes.
KW:
Running down the A12 the other week and I was reminded of ‘May’s Cafe’ just at the end of the Brentwood by-pass.
It’s still standing there,though it closed down many year’s ago,but I always remember ‘Len’ and his missus who ran it,and their miserable git of a son who just seemed to hate driver’s!
But Len had a habit of licking his thumb when he was picking up the sliced bread,you know,like some people lick their thumb when turning over pages of a newspaper.
Tended to put me off a bit that did.Another favourite watering hole was the OK Cafe at Kelvedon (Now a Happy Eater or something) and us container bods would always stop there on the way back to Felixstowe.It was a good place for a ‘Dodgy’ night-out too.
That’s another thing,you don’t see any driver’s thumbing a lift home on a ‘Dodgy’ anymore!Speaking of disgusting habits,I was in the queue one morning in Kate’s Cabin,on the A1 near Peterborough,and one of the old girls behind the counter was pouring out tea’s while the other one took the order’s for breakfast.
Well,I was watching the one pouring tea out for the bloke in front of me whilst he was giving his order to the other one.Only he didn’t see the big drop of snot that dripped from her nose straight into his teacup!
I did.I had a can of pop.And the ‘Truckers Paradise’ at Godmanchester,which then was on the A604 (Now the A14) I’d called in there one morning for a quick cuppa,and picked out a scone from the cabinet on the counter.
The woman behind the counter then say’s to me “Ooh! I wouldn’t have one of them,they’ve been in their for two weeks”!
Just a tea then please.Aah! Happy Day’s!
riding shotgun in my dads milk tanker (united dairies) in the e.arly 60s on the a30…i remember a few cafes…berts gone mad, the towers and the blue hut basingstoke i think…great memories as a kid
I went to all those with my Dad in the '40s to escape the Blitz and evacuate London warehouses to the ‘safer’ West Country. Plymouth was well bombed the day after we delivered.My Dad knew Cyril of the Blue Hut when he was discharged from the army at the end of WW1. The cafe started as a tarpaulin over two ropes stretched between trees before he bought the ex army hut which he painted blue. The good old days of steam and solid tyres 
Talking of cafes, we was having a night-out in the back of the van at Bob’s of Stretton on the night after we delivered to the Co-op in Spon Street Coventry, the 14th November 1940 the night it was “Coventrated” and the A45 ws closed to every thing but fire engines and rescue vehicles.
jimthemilk:
riding shotgun in my dads milk tanker (united dairies) in the e.arly 60s on the a30…i remember a few cafes…berts gone mad, the towers and the blue hut basingstoke i think…great memories as a kid
remember the frying pan on the 303 ? and on the A4 max…the golden arrow and the ridgeway, all regular stops for the oldman !!
I can remember when it was Mrs Howard’s before it became The Frying Pan. One of my mates parked up an eight wheeler loadedwith margarine. He had run on a flat tyre which caught fire while he was having breakfast. The load melted and ran off the sloping car park all across the 303. They had to wait for it to set so that it could be shoveled up They tell me the pot holes behind Mac’s (original spelling, Mac took the teapot from over the door when he retired) are still there. Do you remember The Towers on the opposite side, became The Three Pigeons?
jimthemilk:
remember the frying pan on the 303 ? and on the A4 max…the golden arrow and the ridgeway, all regular stops for the oldman !!
I know this is not an old transport café at Stow on The Wold, But it is a very old café which my good lady & I had the pleasure of dinning there on Sat gone while away on a weekend break In the Cotswolds, This old café was Multi Star, the scrambled eggs topped with Smoked Salmon was the best Ive ever tasted, with fresh brewed in house leaf tea, With the strainer provided, And the service was top grade, We will certainly call there again on our travels,Regards Larry
dafdave:
Tankerman:
I was fortunate enough not to have to go South of Thelwall for the last 18 years of my working life (finished 97) but Watling Street used to have wooden sheds out the back with cubicles for bedrooms, just as cold and damp as The Ranch. One 3 inch water pipe ran through them all fed with luke warm water from a little boiler and that was the heating. I stayed in there a few times in the 70’s and never had a warm wash or shave. you could smell the bogs from the north circular (no M25) About 3 am there were drivers clumping along the wooden floorboads shouting to their mates " are ye ready Jimmy" and that was the end of a restless night, One blanket and a grey sheet was all you get . Oh happy days, no chance. Best digs were those private houses about 5 minutes walk from the lorry park, at least you wasn’t kept awake with fridges and early starters.dafdave
Aye you bring back a few memories there.The scotch lads in their clogs up and down the wooden floored cubicles.Heres one for you, do you remember jimmy who was part of the furniture behind the counter. He used to open up in the mornings but would only serve toast from 5/7 o clock.He lived in two of the cubicles knocked together. He wore a long off white coat and had two jugs of milk one had no sugar the other had sugar mixed in.He was also hard to understand as he had no roof in the pallett of his mouth.
Regards Dave
I remember that chap , we used to call that cafe the ugly sisters , big spiders in the toilet as i recall , isnt it the watling street "truckstop now ?
I had a run over the Lake District to-day Just for something to do, My good Lady & I had a picnic at the top of Kirkston Pass which was very busy, Of course the weather was spot on, We came back Via the A 66, I was quite surprised at the Café on Stainmore, It was packed with wagons, Which I was pleased to see, I recall being in there a lot of years ago when I first started on distance work, & seeing photos on the wall off the bad winters, There was one of a double A Man with his motor bike & side car, The snow was as high as I had ever seen in the past in my younger days, I wonder if they are still displayed, I know that café closed down for a while, Regards Larry.
Lawrence Dunbar:
I had a run over the Lake District to-day Just for something to do, My good Lady & I had a picnic at the top of Kirkston Pass which was very busy, Of course the weather was spot on, We came back Via the A 66, I was quite surprised at the Café on Stainmore, It was packed with wagons, Which I was pleased to see, I recall being in there a lot of years ago when I first started on distance work, & seeing photos on the wall off the bad winters, There was one of a double A Man with his motor bike & side car, The snow was as high as I had ever seen in the past in my younger days, I wonder if they are still displayed, I know that café closed down for a while, Regards Larry.
Mention of the Kirkston Pass brought back a memory of just a few years ago. I had been sent up the pass to collect a portacabin from a water board site and made my way over just as the sun was coming over the hills. The sight was so awe-inspiring that I’ve never forgotten it and I’d like to do it again- if I can get up early enough. Oh, this retirement job doesn’t warrant early starts!
unclegargameld:
dafdave:
Tankerman:
I was fortunate enough not to have to go South of Thelwall for the last 18 years of my working life (finished 97) but Watling Street used to have wooden sheds out the back with cubicles for bedrooms, just as cold and damp as The Ranch. One 3 inch water pipe ran through them all fed with luke warm water from a little boiler and that was the heating. I stayed in there a few times in the 70’s and never had a warm wash or shave. you could smell the bogs from the north circular (no M25) About 3 am there were drivers clumping along the wooden floorboads shouting to their mates " are ye ready Jimmy" and that was the end of a restless night, One blanket and a grey sheet was all you get . Oh happy days, no chance. Best digs were those private houses about 5 minutes walk from the lorry park, at least you wasn’t kept awake with fridges and early starters.dafdave
Aye you bring back a few memories there.The scotch lads in their clogs up and down the wooden floored cubicles.Heres one for you, do you remember jimmy who was part of the furniture behind the counter. He used to open up in the mornings but would only serve toast from 5/7 o clock.He lived in two of the cubicles knocked together. He wore a long off white coat and had two jugs of milk one had no sugar the other had sugar mixed in.He was also hard to understand as he had no roof in the pallett of his mouth.
Regards Dave
I remember that chap , we used to call that cafe the ugly sisters , big spiders in the toilet as i recall , isnt it the watling street "truckstop now ?
Yes mate it is,afaik ive been retired 12yrs.
regards dave.
Lawrence Dunbar:
0I know this is not an old transport café at Stow on The Wold, But it is a very old café which my good lady & I had the pleasure of dinning there on Sat gone while away on a weekend break In the Cotswolds, This old café was Multi Star, the scrambled eggs topped with Smoked Salmon was the best Ive ever tasted, with fresh brewed in house leaf tea, With the strainer provided, And the service was top grade, We will certainly call there again on our travels,Regards Larry
I used to deliver flour to Huffkins bakery in Witney (then distributed to their shops). I took Mrs and Mini Muckaway to their Witney shop and ■■■■ Turpin robbed me of nearly £11. I was left with a company coffee, tea and two cakes!
Muckaway:
Lawrence Dunbar:
0I know this is not an old transport café at Stow on The Wold, But it is a very old café which my good lady & I had the pleasure of dinning there on Sat gone while away on a weekend break In the Cotswolds, This old café was Multi Star, the scrambled eggs topped with Smoked Salmon was the best Ive ever tasted, with fresh brewed in house leaf tea, With the strainer provided, And the service was top grade, We will certainly call there again on our travels,Regards LarryI used to deliver flour to Huffkins bakery in Witney (then distributed to their shops). I took Mrs and Mini Muckaway to their Witney shop and ■■■■ Turpin robbed me of nearly £11. I was left with a company coffee, tea and two cakes!
Aye its not a cheap place to dine to say the least but we both enjoyed it & it was £18, and they didn’t have mask on like old ■■■■ Eh, & they did smile when I paid the bill, Ha Ha, Regards Larry.
Lawrence Dunbar:
Muckaway:
Lawrence Dunbar:
0I know this is not an old transport café at Stow on The Wold, But it is a very old café which my good lady & I had the pleasure of dinning there on Sat gone while away on a weekend break In the Cotswolds, This old café was Multi Star, the scrambled eggs topped with Smoked Salmon was the best Ive ever tasted, with fresh brewed in house leaf tea, With the strainer provided, And the service was top grade, We will certainly call there again on our travels,Regards LarryI used to deliver flour to Huffkins bakery in Witney (then distributed to their shops). I took Mrs and Mini Muckaway to their Witney shop and ■■■■ Turpin robbed me of nearly £11. I was left with a company coffee, tea and two cakes!
Aye its not a cheap place to dine to say the least but we both enjoyed it & it was £18, and they didn’t have mask on like old ■■■■ Eh, & they did smile when I paid the bill, Ha Ha, Regards Larry.
hiya,
Bloody Hell Larry £18 to get the nosebag on you could have gotten yourself
a half decent bottle of single malt from Aldi for less than that.
thanks harry, long retired.
harry_gill:
Lawrence Dunbar:
Muckaway:
Lawrence Dunbar:
0I know this is not an old transport café at Stow on The Wold, But it is a very old café which my good lady & I had the pleasure of dinning there on Sat gone while away on a weekend break In the Cotswolds, This old café was Multi Star, the scrambled eggs topped with Smoked Salmon was the best Ive ever tasted, with fresh brewed in house leaf tea, With the strainer provided, And the service was top grade, We will certainly call there again on our travels,Regards LarryI used to deliver flour to Huffkins bakery in Witney (then distributed to their shops). I took Mrs and Mini Muckaway to their Witney shop and ■■■■ Turpin robbed me of nearly £11. I was left with a company coffee, tea and two cakes!
Aye its not a cheap place to dine to say the least but we both enjoyed it & it was £18, and they didn’t have mask on like old ■■■■ Eh, & they did smile when I paid the bill, Ha Ha, Regards Larry.
hiya,
Bloody Hell Larry £18 to get the nosebag on you could have gotten yourself
a half decent bottle of single malt from Aldi for less than that.
thanks harry, long retired.
Stow in the Wold, Bourton on the Water and a host of other Cotswold places are very busy Harry, usually with a lot of American and Japanese tourists. Its a bit like Pearl Harbour without the bombs.
Cheers Dave.
Like it, Dave 
Retired Old ■■■■:
Like it, Dave
What about the old bird cage on the A5.
Anybody remember that one not seen it mentioned,
or the thorn trees on the old A49.
Guesty44:
Retired Old ■■■■:
Like it, DaveWhat about the old bird cage on the A5.
Anybody remember that one not seen it mentioned,
or the thorn trees on the old A49.
I remember the Birdcage. Do you remember the fruit loaf she used to make in a round cake tin so that every slice was a different size. I once asked he and she got out the scales and weighed them, they were all the same weight, just different thicknesses
Dave the Renegade:
harry_gill:
Lawrence Dunbar:
Muckaway:
Lawrence Dunbar:
0I know this is not an old transport café at Stow on The Wold, But it is a very old café which my good lady & I had the pleasure of dinning there on Sat gone while away on a weekend break In the Cotswolds, This old café was Multi Star, the scrambled eggs topped with Smoked Salmon was the best Ive ever tasted, with fresh brewed in house leaf tea, With the strainer provided, And the service was top grade, We will certainly call there again on our travels,Regards LarryI used to deliver flour to Huffkins bakery in Witney (then distributed to their shops). I took Mrs and Mini Muckaway to their Witney shop and ■■■■ Turpin robbed me of nearly £11. I was left with a company coffee, tea and two cakes!
Aye its not a cheap place to dine to say the least but we both enjoyed it & it was £18, and they didn’t have mask on like old ■■■■ Eh, & they did smile when I paid the bill, Ha Ha, Regards Larry.
hiya,
Bloody Hell Larry £18 to get the nosebag on you could have gotten yourself
a half decent bottle of single malt from Aldi for less than that.
thanks harry, long retired.Stow in the Wold, Bourton on the Water and a host of other Cotswold places are very busy Harry, usually with a lot of American and Japanese tourists. Its a bit like Pearl Harbour without the bombs.
Cheers Dave.
It sure is, Plenty of action though but of course its all cameras, Dave, Regards Larry.