REVIEW: Shelly B’s Cafe

Shelly B’s Cafe is very reminiscent of a good old-fashioned transport cafe. Situated near the foot of Drake Street, it is clean, warm and welcoming. We popped in for breakfast and the place was buzzing with families out shopping, a couple of students and groups of shop fitters taking their morning breaks.

Opening times during the week are 8.30am – 3.00pm and 9.30am – 3.00pm on Saturdays.

Access is via a low step and there is a ramp inside to enhance wheelchair access and there are loos on the ground floor.

The general ambience is friendly and children are welcome with high chairs being provided. Tables are not set too closely together giving the place an uncluttered feel.

The front window affords great views of Rochdale street life and there is a car park directly opposite giving one hours free parking plus disability spots.

The cafe is only one minute’s walk from the bus station and the Metrolink terminus.

The menu is unashamedly English. A choice of five cooked breakfasts from £2.20 and served all day. We opted for the regular which comprised two sausage, bacon, egg, beans, mushroom, tomatoes, fried bread, toast with tea or coffee at £4.20.

Service was good with tables being constantly wiped and dirty plates and cutlery removed. We heard two first-time customers, who had obviously been impressed, vowing to ‘be back again soon’.

Shelly does the cooking and has been in business for six years gaining a solid reputation for great, traditional food at low prices. It has not exactly been an easy ride for her with the building of the new tramway right outside, economic recession and personal tragedy. A business across the street has changed hands almost a dozen times since she has been there.

Shelly is proud to source all her food locally and is keen to support local farmers and other businesses. She is particularly proud of her home made steak and kidney puddings that really are the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of her business and shoppers queue up on Fridays to sample them.

As well as main meals consisting of old favourites such as pies, gammon and fish and chips, etc, Shelly B’s also offers hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, jacket potatoes, omelettes, salads, snacks and a pudding menu. They also do a takeaway service for nearby shops and offices and accept telephone orders.

If you want a plain, simple, home cooked meal, close to the town centre without breaking the bank then Shelly B’s is well worth a visit. Don’t expect waiters in tuxedos, an a la carte menu or a string quartet playing chamber music. This is a plain, simple, old-fashioned cafe that provides quality food at low prices to people on the move.

Perhaps a bit more storage space might come in handy and the entrance to the WCs could be made to look more attractive but otherwise, this cafe offers and delivers exactly what it says on the tin.

Scores out of 5
Quality 4
Value 5
Service 4
Cleanliness 5
Disability friendly 4
Overall 4