My last ever Rochdale @tasteem review will be about a cafe in a rather rundown shopping mall.
The local council is renovating the town with a new gleaming one that may or not be ready this year; such is the speed of British workmen and builders.
I would imagine a café such as Russell’s may feel the pressure when it opens but until then it appears to be very popular.
We had walked past it several times and only during the last few days of my soon to be finished contract, decided to give it a try.
The menu was quite extensive plus there was a specials board, but was this going to be frozen cheap crap or something decent?
We would need to order and take the plunge to find out.
Queuing up I still had not decided on my order and then noticed written in chalk the ‘Pensioners Special’ of Battered Haddock, Chips, Peas. Bread & Butter with Tea or Coffee at the semi-cheap price £5.55.
Being in a mischievous mood I decided to attempt to order this fully expecting them to tell me to ‘bugger off’, you’re too young or something similar.
I am an old bastard but haven’t quite reached this age yet.
@goblinknackers, being quite ancient himself, tried it on and before me as he was ahead in our queue of just the two of us.
Astonishingly the lady serving did not flinch, took his money and told him, ‘the food will be delivered to your table’.
Bemused, he took it upon himself to ask if he actually looked pensioner age, the surprised lady responding, ‘Oh, I thought you were ordering for someone else’.
Next, it was me and undeterred, went ahead and ordered the 'Pensioners Special' receiving the same nonchalant response as @goblinknackers.
Knowing full well it was due to the same reason (as he looks much older than me), I parked my bones down and waited for the food.
Service was quick but I was disappointed by what I saw.
The chips looked frozen but then I looked around at all the other people who appeared to be enjoying the food.
For frozen food, it was quite decent and better than what I could have made.
The chips were especially good despite their boring visuals with bread and butter always complimenting this typical British food dish.
Not sure why they have a piano, this is not a place for romantic couples on a date?
If I was going to be working in this town longer, Russell’s Café may well be on the agenda again, but not too often.
I’m not a great fan of food if ALL of it is frozen, yet this was about as good as it gets.
The receipts states, 'Seniors Special', at least I can have a good laugh about that. Whether I can get away with cheap food at other places remains to be seen.
There’s still some colour in my hair yet, or so I’m told!
Restaurant Information
Russells Cafe
9, The Wheatsheaf Centre, Rochdale OL16 1JZ, UK
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Now I am wondering if I would pass for a pensioner. I have the grey hair anyway. The food doesn't look anything special, but you can't expect too much for that money in a restaurant. I paid about the same for take-away fish and chips tonight, but that was for a lot more food and decent fish.
I think it's quite sweet that they have a piano. I thought you oldies appreciated a few classic songs.
Stoop a little, and you can do it, a walking stick helps with the authenticity. Hide your company badge.. all little tips.. :)
They have decent Fish and Chips that far south?
I am sure you could find fault, but I quite like the F&C we can get around here. Got two chip shops in the village with the one I use also serving Chinese food.
You pair of old chancing buggers!!!
I would call it a personal challenge, @goblinknackers.. well he just took my idea and implemented it before me!
@slobberchops, @meesterboom .. oh how the story changes, .. I do remember the deal was a success because I pointed out to the lady that I was with my dad, .... (stepdad I had to clarify to her) :-) ...
The things I have to write to get you just to comment.., I'm your dad? pah!!
Okay, first question is what is a Jacket Potato? Is that like a baked potato? That is what I am going to guess. Are you really not sure why the piano is there or were you just being funny? :) I knew exactly what it was for based on the second photo you posted :)
It is a baked potato..., they call them jackets here. The piano? It's out of place.. they tend to be in classy restaurants for couples.. you can see what kind of people are here.. shoppers!
I actually don't think I have ever been to a restaurant that has a piano in it.
I can think of at least one, I'm not a fan. They are usually expensive venues.
You or me as the diner indirectly pay for the fees of the pianist and crooner if he's a singer too.
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