Gail’s Bakery - is it really all that?

[BarrellChested]

When a Gail’s Bakery opened within walking distance of the office where I worked, people could barely contain their excitement. It felt like something magical had been bestowed on us, and I maybe got caught up in the hype.

I was aware of Gail’s before, of course, but had never been to one.

The great day arrived - a few of us went over and it was…… fine. Nice coffee and a decent enough pastry. But nothing beyond what I’ve had at the myriad of other coffee shops in the area.

Yet still my colleagues talk about it in reverential tones. So maybe it’s just me that doesn’t get it.

AIBU?

I went in. And I went out again.

The cinnamon buns and the San Francisco sour dough are out of this world! They are pretty expensive, but absolutely delicious 🙂

Yeah I don’t get the hype either. Overpriced if you ask me.

It’s not exceptional. But it’s a signifier of a gentrified middle class high street so people get excited about that I suppose

Best scones ever. Flourless chocolate cake also great if, like me, you don’t like most of the super sweet junk that passes for cake these days. Sandwiches look good (not tried) but are £££. And the no pastry quiche/frittata things are good if you’ve had enough stodge

I haven’t quite got over the one near me telling me they were out of toast despite there being shelves of bread and people clearly making sandwiches with more bread.

Some good tips here, I’ll maybe give it a few more visits before I form a firm opinion.

Better than starbucks

Nah, not for me.
BBC News - Posh sandwich has more salt than nearly five cheeseburgers, campaigners say - BBC News
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g4l54g2ppo?app-referrer=deep-link

Well the blueberry custard brioche thing is a work of genius.

i hate that they won’t warm up croissant or savoury / quiche.

the GF sourdough bread is good.

dont believe the hype. I heard that the Liberal Democrat’s have drawn up a hit list of constituencies to target - those with a Gail’s make the cut!

Yes, I saw that too. Obviously a successful business, but that salt content is a shocker!
Maccy D for the win! 😉 🍔✅ 🥪❌

Out of toast 😱

That being said I do like their mushroom and caramelised onion quiche. But it's not cheap, so only on the very odd occasion will I get one.

I’ve never had anything from there that hasn’t been dry and overcooked.

Genuinely prefer Greggs.

I was going to post that too.
The thought of unwittingly eating all that salt in one go honestly makes me feel unwell.

Never heard of it. Maybe I need to get out more!

I agree. I had never heard of them until last year when a local business decided to change its focus and the owner said they would be more like Gail’s. I was in London a few weeks later and needed a light lunch, saw a Gail’s and decided to pop in to try it. I was left wondering what was so special that it would be used as a point of reference. What I had was pleasant enough, but nothing special. It seemed expensive, but that was difficult to judge given I knew I was paying London prices.

I have to agree with you on the blueberry brioche. It’s amazing.
I do like their croissants (although they are HUGE), and love their olive baguettes. The prepared salads in pots are also really nice.

Chocolate muffin = £3.70

https://gails.com/collections/sweet-cakes/products/chocolate-muffin

Way overpriced

They do excellent value Too Good to Go bags (which almost always include one of their excellent scones)

Their coffee is consistent quality (good flat white) and I like their mini brioches with smoked salmon and guacamole or with radishes or with salami and pickies

That's a low bar to set

I find their pastries overbaked. Significantly so, in some cases. Croissants should be golden, not dark brown.

I like most of their things and the presentation in the ones near me is always immaculate. It's quite pricey though so I wouldn't buy lunch there every day. Love the rose and pistachio cake.

I hate the poncery and over-hype of Gail's. They are absolutely everywhere in the chi-chi areas of London and I feel so sorry for the local independents when they elbow their way in. Also - hugely expensive!

I think you have to judge it in relation to other chains - the Costas and Cafe Neros etc. Not everywhere has a great independent coffee shop, so sometimes that's the choice. Compared to their often crappy offerings it can feel worth paying extra. But no, it's nothing revolutionary and I'd always go with Pret over Gails, it's much better value.