Rob K:
Wheel Nut:
Decent food would help too…Not impressed after 3 visits
I wasn’t going to reply to this thread with my own experiences of this “truck stop” but as it appears other members have had cause for complaint, I will.
I’ve stopped there on two separate occasions; once about 3 months back when I wasn’t even slightly impressed with the food and the second time was yesterday morning, to see if anything had improved. Sadly it hasn’t.
I ordered a £3.85 breakfast with toast and a pot of tea as I required a 30 minute tacho break, although I was in a rush to get to the other side of Chelmsford before my time was up. Sadly, I was on the verge on cancelling the order just as my breakfast arrived half an hour after ordering it, despite there only being 2 other orders (both breakfasts) on the go. Perhaps if the two females concentrated more on the customers needs instead of spending all their time texting their mates then things might start to improve?
Just like the first time I stopped, the food quality was sub-standard and the bacon has the distinct taste and appearance that it had been cooked last week and reheated for my order. The sausages, egg and beans were okay but the water that comes out of the tomatoes when you sink your knife into them could sink the Titanic.
I also feel the need the make comment about the ignorance of the staff too. Whilst waiting for my change I light-heartedly commented “so are they still trying to shut you down then?” in an attempt to drum up some dialogue about the current situation but I was completely ignored. The young lass with the thick rimmed glasses clearly heard me but just turned her back to me and the other one with the NY cap briefly looked at me then carried on with what she was doing. The same ignorance was apparent when my breakfast was brought over - there was no “there you go, luv” or “sorry for the wait, hope you enjoy it” etc, it was just plonked down on the table in complete silence and not even any acknowledgement when I said “thank you”.
What was most disturbing though were the hygiene issues I noticed whilst eating my breakfast. I clearly observed the young lass pick up the tongs used for transferring the bacon and sausages from the frying surface to the plates, and grab a tissue or piece of kitchen roll, placing it in between the tongs and then proceed to clean the inside of the cooker hood with them
. The most disturbing part was that after she had deposited the tissue/roll in the bin, she then returned the tongs to the same holder in the corner without even washing them or her hands. Shortly afterwards, the same tongs were used to serve another customer’s breakfast
Another hygiene issue I noticed was the young lass regularly wiping her nose with her hand and then carrying on serving food etc without washing her hands.
Despite my observations, I have still sent an email of support of the truck stop to the council because a truck stop here is good for the area and M25 traffic. However, I would like to make it clear that my support is only for the truck stop and cafe premises, not for the people running it. It could be a very good truck stop with the right people running it, but sadly those are not the current occupants.
In closing, I think the people who run the cafe should be more concerned with being shut down by the Environmental Health Authority rather than the local council. Needless to say, that was my second and also last visit to the establishment.
Draw your own conclusions.
RK
oh jesus he’s back - and the drivel is as bad as ever 
