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All Day English Breakfast at The Gorge Cafe
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Restaurant Review: The Gorge Cafe

By Jonny Fordham
August 22, 2012

Beer, bulbs and biscuits put Reading on the map.

Then came along Reading Festival – where it was beer (again) – bands and beats.

The three B’s are synonymous for those us of from the town.

And if you’ve lived in an RG1 postcode for a certain amount of time, it's more than likely that you’re just as familiar with the Gorge Cafe.

The bangers, beans and bread capital of Reading – king of the greasy spoon.

A quick glance on tripadvisor.co.uk pings up a number of reviews saying the Gorge is “too greasy” others “where better to go for a greasy hangover fry up?”.

I don’t want to think about the number of times I’ve popped into the Gorge for fear of sending myself into a calorific coma, however, I’ve never found the food too greasy.

On my particular visit, I went for the All Day English Breakfast (£6.55) – after all, when in Rome.

It’s worth noting however that you do need the appetite of a gladiator to finish this colosseum of chow. Two sausages (unfortunately these were a bit tasteless), two eggs (fried), two hash browns (both the size of doorstops), two slices of fried bread (or toast if you're on a diet), beans and a mountain of bacon.

Connoisseurs of the fried breakfast will mark the Gorge down for the lack of mushrooms, or onions, or black pudding, but there isn’t much room left on the plate to accommodate these anyway. As well as the meat sweats, you also get a free coffee or tea to go with your meal.

And if you're not up for tackling the fry-up then there are plenty of other options from smaller varieties to omelettes and even an Atkins special.

Another feature that sets the Gorge apart from other greasey spoons nearby, is the quirky cave-like roof that always reminds me of those papier mache volcanoes kids make at school.

It might freak out some festival goers after a long night on the beers, but chances are, you won’t remember it anyway.

Contact Details

Telephone: 0118 9502446
Address:
The Gorge Cafe
227 Richfield Avenue,
Reading
RG1 8BB

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Most recent user comments 7 of 7

LOL!!!!

"Restaurant"??

LOL

Yeah right.... in the same way that crack-houses are leisure centres!

PhunkyPunk, Reading
24/08/2012 at 10:05

Make sure you send this to the nationals Johnny, you'll be gobbled up in no time.

Chip Skipper
23/08/2012 at 12:30

"Nobs - to make bacon, we first have to "catch" a pig - Big surprise?"

That's probably because they fly, where you come from, Mo.

Nobs, Heaven
22/08/2012 at 13:09

Fair point Spiddly - perhaps we should text our order first from our tent on 0118 9502446

Nobs - to make bacon, we first have to "catch" a pig - Big surprise? Wait until you find out where their Hash Browns come from - that'll knock you for six.

Wonder, if we take our own mushrooms along - would they flash-fry them in a little garlic, paprika and butter for us ... ?

MauriceM, West Reading
22/08/2012 at 13:06

Mad Mo is back at his bonkers best.

Jonny failed to state whether the bacon was "caught locally".

Perhaps getreading could run a section on the best rivers to catch your pigs in.

Nobs, Heaven
22/08/2012 at 12:56

Make your mind up quickly when you get there, Maurice. The cook is notoriously rude to those taking their time to examine the menu, as my friend discovered (and it wasn't even busy when we went).

God help any festival goers if he's working there this weekend...

Spiddly, Reading
22/08/2012 at 12:44

Ah Jonny. The Gorge. Cafe. Festival. A stunning review of the Gorge from Jonny, whilst Hugh Fort jokes on twitter about how funny it is the festival goers will get wet this year and what "freebies" (condoms and sweets) are available for he and his mates, out the front this year - young Jonny Fordham does some real (and for once, useful/non footer) work, and even gets a good and tasty looking photo in to boot. (Note: not an "opt" or a "plump" or a "dieting partner" or a "forgetful guest" in sight).

We are rushed through this review like a chuffing train and reached the end, quite breathless and salivating. Jonny tells us everything we need to know (except what tea they use, oh and whether or not their bacon is caught locally) but hey it is a "greasy spoon" so who cares? Not us.

Thanks Jonny - we're on our way there now (taking our own festival mushrooms)