Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Tonka. on 11 January 2012, 12:30:56

Title: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: Tonka. on 11 January 2012, 12:30:56

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16511001   :-\ :-\
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: Varche on 11 January 2012, 12:37:02
Never used them much when I lived in the UK despite passing many. When I did I was singularly unimpressed.

I wonder why management didn't extend to more than the 10 outlets that they changed to Heston Blumental fare.?

Strange but then HMV continue to persevere in the face of modernity......................
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: tunnie on 11 January 2012, 12:56:36
darn, always like to stop at those for a greasy fry up when on the bike  :(
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: Elite Pete on 11 January 2012, 13:05:55
I've had a few breakfasts at Little Chef when i've been out and about because of there location but they are way over the top on price.
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: Kevin Wood on 11 January 2012, 13:15:09
Last time (and it will be the last time, I suspect) I stopped at one I waited an hour for a meal. If they can't reliably provide a meal in a sensible time who's going to stop there when they're on the road and haven't got hours to kill?
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: bigboykarl on 11 January 2012, 13:20:30
mediocre food,at extortionate prices...nothing to do with the recession
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 11 January 2012, 15:57:06
In the last couple of years they've really upped their game, foodwise - to the point that it became a tradition for me and MrsGK to stop at one whenever we're on a long journey. Last time was when I picked up my Omega a couple of months ago...
 I remember when it was economy burgers and turkey dinosaurs, but now it's real food, and not too badly priced compared to a lot of comparable places...
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: moggy on 11 January 2012, 21:08:14
Did you know that,Little chefs were originally built on lay-lines.Then the motorways came along and just connected them up ;D ;D :D
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: dazzerM on 11 January 2012, 21:40:26
I used to use Liitle Chef for somewhere nice to sit down and get a decent fry up when I when I was a courier, food was OK was a bit on the expensive side but served as an alternative to the nearest burger van :)

Damn shame about the job losses  :-X
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: Vamps on 11 January 2012, 21:50:06
I have used them for many years but not very often recently, last time was on way home from Lakes Meet......I quite like their fry up's cooked while you wait, sad to seem them go, so many have already closed over the years around here.. :( :(
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: GastronomicKleptomaniac on 12 January 2012, 17:29:57
I have used them for many years but not very often recently, last time was on way home from Lakes Meet......I quite like their fry up's cooked while you wait, sad to seem them go, so many have already closed over the years around here.. :( :(

Including the one on the A689-A177 roundabout, which is a git.
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: ninjapirate on 12 January 2012, 17:34:32
Theres one just up the road from me on the end of the A303, went in few years ago and it was terrible service and over priced, I think it may of been one that was redone on tv or something after,but not been in since, wouldnt ever go to another either, sorry for the job losses but it was on the cards for a long time.
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: Auto Addict on 12 January 2012, 17:36:09
I remember them when they first opened, they were brilliant then, shame they've gone downhill.
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: Kevin Wood on 12 January 2012, 17:46:27
There was one a short walk from us that closed about 5 years ago.

Wasn't great either. The drains had issues, so you sat eating your fry up with the occasional whiff of raw sewage.
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: TheBoy on 12 January 2012, 20:16:29
I used to single handedly keep them in business before the quality, which wasn't too bad in the 70s/80s and early 90s, dived.

My favourites used to be Mixed Grill or 2 7th heaven burgers, one with chips (as taught to me by my best mate, who used to be a burger conisseur).

For work journeys, and Olympic breakie used to do the needful, without upsetting management too much when presented with a sub £10pp receipt ::)
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: TheBoy on 12 January 2012, 20:18:03
I think the rise of McDonalds (once they started going into services/roadside) showed the decline in Little Chef.  I think McD advertised more cleverly to kids.

Ironic that McD now seems to have had its day...
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: Vamps on 12 January 2012, 20:34:38
I think the rise of McDonalds (once they started going into services/roadside) showed the decline in Little Chef.  I think McD advertised more cleverly to kids.

Ironic that McD now seems to have had its day...

I hope so, I avoid as much as possible, tend to send Miss Vamps with her brother now rather than have to suffer myself.. :D
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: Vamps on 12 January 2012, 20:37:49
I have used them for many years but not very often recently, last time was on way home from Lakes Meet......I quite like their fry up's cooked while you wait, sad to seem them go, so many have already closed over the years around here.. :( :(

Including the one on the A689-A177 roundabout, which is a git.
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You know that one eh :y And the one on the A66 between Stockton and Darlington was turned into an Indian Restaurant, now closed iirc..... :D 
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: aaronjb on 12 January 2012, 20:38:26
Late 80's, early 90's that used to be my treat - stopping in the Little Chef on the A19 when we (the family) were on our way back from York..
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: ted_one on 12 January 2012, 20:39:52
Stopped at one near Yeovil a few weeks ago and it was rammed,staff were visibly under pressure and the service was'nt the best,food was O.K but the big shock came when we got the bill which was nudging £30.00 for the two of us and I know that a comparible meal in a decent transport cafe would have been half of that. :o
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: Kevin Wood on 12 January 2012, 20:45:40
I think the rise of McDonalds (once they started going into services/roadside) showed the decline in Little Chef.  I think McD advertised more cleverly to kids.

Ironic that McD now seems to have had its day...

McD, KFC and BK, etc. are much better suited to people wanting to grab a bite to eat en-route, IMHO, because you can be assured of a reasonably quick turn-around.
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: aaronjb on 12 January 2012, 21:02:07
I think the rise of McDonalds (once they started going into services/roadside) showed the decline in Little Chef.  I think McD advertised more cleverly to kids.

Ironic that McD now seems to have had its day...

McD, KFC and BK, etc. are much better suited to people wanting to grab a bite to eat en-route, IMHO, because you can be assured of a reasonably quick turn-around.

And generally consistent quality .. or lack, thereof!
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: belldarr on 12 January 2012, 21:07:00
It's a real shame they are on the slippery slope - Little Chef Olympic Breakfast is all part of any road trip for me, wit a diet coke of course!

Darren
Title: Re: Little Chef just got littler
Post by: TheBoy on 12 January 2012, 22:08:54
I think the rise of McDonalds (once they started going into services/roadside) showed the decline in Little Chef.  I think McD advertised more cleverly to kids.

Ironic that McD now seems to have had its day...

McD, KFC and BK, etc. are much better suited to people wanting to grab a bite to eat en-route, IMHO, because you can be assured of a reasonably quick turn-around.
If its KFC, I can assure you my journey home is always reasonably quick as well, due to necessity  :-[

Shame, as I love the Colonel's secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices, even if it does hate my guts. Literally.