Eating out is still affordable as cost of living crisis bites
WITH the cost of living crisis causing issues in so many households across the country, the tradition of eating out for a dinner or breakfast may be more of a rare luxury for many families in Burton and Swadlincote these days. However, there are more cheap options in the town than people might think, so eating out need not be off the wish list completely.
For most hard working families it is a real treat, something which has to be saved up for. And then it has to be affordable, but there are value for money venues, many of them small and independent cafes.
So while having a treat you will also be supporting small local businesses too. We have looked at some of the best options for cheap bites across Burton and Swadlincote, with all serving up a good plate of food and drink for £10 or less.
CARLA’S CAFE
21 Borough Road, Burton, DE14 2DA. Tripadvisor Rating: 5.0 from 61 reviews
What value for money you can get: For just £6.25, Carla’s Breakfast Box includes two sausages, two bacon, hash browns, free range egg, mushrooms, tomatoes and beans. Add a cup of tea for £1.50 and you have a breakfast and drink for under £8.
People who have visited gave it the thumbs up. One said: “Fast delivery service lovely food and excellent cake I will certainly use again and good prices. Keep up the good work.” Another described it as a “hidden gem”, saying: “Stumbled upon this place today with a friend and had 2 small breakfasts. Really good food and customer service. This will be our new local. Excellent.”
THE HIDEAWAY
17 Station Street, Burton, DE14 1AU, Tripadvisor Rating: 5.0 from 70 reviews
What value for money you can get: People visiting The Hideaway can order Staffordshire’s most famous dish, an oatcake, with a filling of either cheese, ham, bacon and beans, sausage and beans or Mediterranean veg plus a salad and coleslaw for just £7. Add a large hot drink of your choice for £3 and people have a dinner and drink for exactly £10.
Other than this, a sandwich, salad, crisps and home-made coleslaw and a soft drink costs just £6.50. Sandwich fillings include the classic BLT (bacon lettuce and tomato), tuna mayo and cheese and pickle.
One person who visited said the staff were very friendly and the cake was “lovely”. They said: “Bright and cheerful cafe. They are really lovely and friendly staff. The lattes are good and the homemade chocolate cake with ice cream is really tasty, fresh and beautifully made. Will be back the next time we are in Burton.”
Another said: “Only had hot drinks and cake but was all very lovely. Very busy for a Wednesday afternoon too - always a good sign.”
SUMMERHOUSE BAKERY
Market Place, Burton, DE14 1HA, Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5 from 296 reviews
What value for money you can get: As a special offer over the festive period, diners can get a Christmas main course and pudding for jus £9.50. The dinners consist of roast turkey and stuffing, roast beef and a Yorkshire pudding or a mushroom, Brie and cranberry wellington.
A Pie of the Day/roast of the Day, including a main meal with pudding or drink (not including latte, cappuccino, hot chocolate, luxury hot chocolate) costs just £7.50. For those looking to be full up just that little bit more, a large portion would cost just £8.50.
One reviewer who went with her husband, said: “Hubby and I went for breakfast, he had a big breakfast I had Eggs Royale, Smoked salmon with poached, eggs and hollandaise sauce on a toasted muffin. It was absolutely delicious. Two perfectly cooked poached eggs with a generous amount of hollandaise sauce and beautiful smoked salmon. Most Excellent!
Another said it was value for money with “proper old school cooking. Massive portions and excellent value for money. Food piping hot. 7.50 for a main and huge portion of cake, what a bargain. Staff lovely too”.
CAFE CRU
87 Market Street, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, DE11 9PN, Tripadvisor Rating: 5.0 from 48 reviews
What value for money you can get: Diners can enjoy a large jacket potato with two fillings consisting of either cheese, onion, ham, beans, tuna mayo, chicken, chicken tikka, bacon, coleslaw and chilli con car ne for just £6.50. Add a large hot drink and the total would come to just £8.10.
One person who ordered a buffet for a funeral wake said: “Ordered a finger buffet for 35 covers, with a mixture of meat, vegetarian and vegan. They supplied sandwiches, quiche, spring rolls and delicious cupcakes. It was all very tasty, delivered promptly, well presented and labelled. We were very pleased with quality and quantity of the food. Well done to all the staff at Cafe Cru.”
Another said they would give it five out of five stars and would definitely be visiting again.
COOPERS TAVERN
43 Cross Street, Burton, DE14 1EG, Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5 from 154 reviews
What value for money you can get: Proper traditional British pub food is served at the Coopers Tavern in Burton, with most main meals coming in at under or around £10 and many people on Tripadvisor suggesting the food is great value for money. And don’t miss the homemade
Scotch eggs – made by the landlady herself.
Most reviewers raved about the beer at this place, with one doing just that, but also praising the food, saying: “There are some very good traditional pubs still remaining in Burton (The Elms, the Burton Bridge Tavern, the Roebuck for example), but this was the pick of the bunch for me. A traditional old school multi room set up with a small bar room at the back that has four ale hand pumps and then several other beers from the barrel behind the bar. Have to queue to get served at busy times but that is a small price to pay for the impressive beer lineup.
“Although it’s a Joules Brewery pub, it’s one of the very few allowed guest ales and for my visit, alongside Joules Pure Blonde, Pale Ale, Slumbering Monk and Moon Madness Mild on the four pumps there was Oakham Ales Relativity, Salopian Golden Thread and Bass straight from the cask.
“Food comes in the form of large cobs, sizeable pork pies and enormous Scotch eggs. I went for a black pudding scotch egg and it was just the stomach liner to soak up an excellent pint of the Moon Madness Mild. No juke box, no TV, just great beer and convivial conversation.”
MASSEYS
129 Swadlincote Road, Woodville, DE11 8DA, Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5 from 38 reviews
What value for money you can get: This place may be part of the family of a DIY store but do not be fooled by this. People have given strong reviews to the cafe food and drink on offer, with guests comfortably able to be fed and watered with fresh food including breakfasts, jacket potatoes, paninis or homemade cakes for under £10.
One reviewer said: “Cuppa and sausage ‘sanger.’ Stopped by to kill some time before meeting. Staff v polite - service quick. Food tasty and well presented. Great little find.”
THE PICKLE POT
35 Main Street, Burton, DE14 3EY, Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5 from 38 reviews
What value for money you can get: All for under £10, people can get a mega breakfast and a mug of either tea or coffee. The big breakfast consists of three sausages, two bacon, two hash browns, mushrooms, beans, tomatoes, two toast and fried bread.
One diner said the food was delicious and freshly cooked. They said: “Went for breakfast recently , excellent food and very friendly and welcoming. Spotlessly clean, I would highly recommend this lovely cafe to everyone. Nothing to fault at all, the staff work very hard to please the customers . Will be going again.”
Another said: “Visited the Pickle Pot after seeing a recommendation on FB - and we weren’t disappointed. We walked into a lovely warm and delicious smelling cafe, and greeted by friendly staff. We soon had our drinks delivered while we chose from the varied menu, once we’d decided our food was bought to us freshly cooked and piping hot”
MAC’S CAFE
80 Derby Street, Burton, DE14 2LE, Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5 from 47 reviews
What value for money you can get: A Jumbo Breakfast consisting of three bacon strips, three sausages, two eggs, black pudding, mushrooms, beans or tomatoes, two hash browns, fried bread or toast costs just £7.50. Add a hot or cold drink and the bill will still come under £10.
One reviewer said: “This unpretentious place is famous. Mac’s Cafe, and previously called Jock’s Cafe, has been a part of Button life for decades. I have visited only twice, 2 decades apart, but this was entirely due to my circumstances (no, not detained at her Majesty’s pleasure!). The staff are friendly, helpful and attentive. I had breakfast, on a Sunday. Couldn’t believe my luck that it was open. Food was as advertised and good value. If you visit because of this review I hope you have a pleasant experience.”