San Remo Coffee Bar - A Tasteem Review

Looks can be deceiving. I can’t seriously expect a luxurious setting for lunch in Rochdale, Lancashire and was not expecting too much when I first viewed the San Remo Coffee bar.

What I could see looked dingy and unkempt with room for four people maximum when viewed from the exterior.

It is not in the central area of town and would not be something I would consider if it hadn’t been for @goblinknackers’ prior experience of eating there a week beforehand.

Peering at the window I could see today’s ‘deals’.

Plate pie with chips and gravy is as local as it gets. At least I could douse the food with vinegar and gravy which may make it edible.

Inside, I was a little shocked at the size. It was much larger than expected and rather cavernous. The mirror helped exaggerate the size but there was yet more seating beyond it.

…’Perhaps this isn’t going to be as bad as first impressions’…

@goblinknackers was thinking twice about entering as I got my phone out and started snapping things. That lad will never make a journalist.

You need to not give a shit about the strange looks and develop a thick skin. Those weird gazes start bouncing off you like water off a ducks back.

‘Any Pie Chips and Gravy Hollands'.., it stated in writing that looked like it came from a 5-year-old.

Giving them the benefit of the doubt I went for the stalwart, ‘Steak and Kidney Pudding, Chips and Gravy’ for £3.60, with @goblinknackers choosing the ‘Scampi and Chips’ for £5.30.

The cook could not write very well, but perhaps he or she could manage a stodgy lunch? We sat down and I hoped that was not going to be another Rochdale dodgy café disaster like, ‘The Laughing Loaf’.

Service was surprisingly quick and I was soon looking at a large plate of chips with a collapsed pudding submerged in gravy.

@goblinknackers received an equally full plate of chips with a generous helping of Scampi plus a little salad.

He seemed quite made up for it and devoured all beside a few chips; well there was a lot.

My food was surprisingly good, but not what I would call great.

For the price, I feel it decent value and would go back and try something else on their ‘extensive menu'. Wholesome would be a good term for it and the quality.

Using their toilet was not so pleasant. For one thing, it is marked ‘Emergency Exit’ and not ‘Toilet’.

I could think of why it could be named the former, but that one is purely for your imagination.

Once inside there are two door graphics which are the universal symbols for male and female.

No, I didnt take pictures of the toilets

The male toilet has a broken latch and doesn’t close properly, so you can expect female visitors to be able to see you quite clearly having a shit if that’s your choosing.

…’Voyeurs would find the toilets at the San Remo Coffee bar a bonus attraction’…

I did ask for a receipt and was surprised to be handed one, albeit hand-written. It did make a pleasant change from the usual response of, ‘No receipts’.

£4.80 which included a cup of tea is damn good value. I can’t really say anything negative about the food at San Remo Coffee bar.

Just make sure you empty both your bladder and bowels before visiting.

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Restaurant Information

San Remo Coffee Bar

27 Drake St, Rochdale OL16 1RX, UK

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San Remo Coffee Bar - A Tasteem Review
This post participated in the Tasteem contest Local Dishes

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