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?

Well, after a quick look online it appears there are quite a few of them in the UK, so they must be doing something right 😊

So you went once, were thoroughly unimpressed, but still decided to go back several times 🙄

Twice. So went once and went back once. Not exactly several and could be because there wasn't an alternative!

Exactly, clearly just two - where did that other poster get several from??

And also @Wamid said they went in different places.

So two different locations, which make sense because sometimes different branches of the same chain have varying levels of cleanliness depending on staff, footfall etc - so it’s worth a try.

Well not really. It just means they’ve got a load of private investment that has enabled them to expand rapidly to make the fastest return for those investors, leading to a decline in quality and standards. See also: most independent chains who have eventually sold out to private equity.

I hate Starbucks coffee BUT the place itself is usually pretty nice. The one near me is far more comfortable than my Pret (I love Pret coffee) and the staff are super nice.

There is a Gail’s near me. It is okay but there are better places. Having said that, they have taken over a tricky location and are always full so they must be appealing to some people. Plus it means I can get a table at Ottolenghi.

I live in a part of the country where we don't have this chain. Every time I go to London I nearly go to one, just to see what it's like, but there's always a massive queue and I end up trying an independent, which is probably more interesting anyway.

I'm desperate to visit one and support the business after only hearing of then from that dreadful Guardian article.

It’s one of those places that people who can’t think critically like.

Bit unnecessary @chocolateaddictions . Maybe there are few better options in their area or people simply like what they like without needing to result to insulting their intelligence because you don’t.

The reverse snobbery at its finest.

I also get excited to see a Greggs being open. A successful British company doing very well in the high street surely is a good thing.

Well, I’m sure they wouldn’t have had the investment if the investors didn’t think they were a worthwhile investment 🤷‍♀️

Oh, so it’s twice now, instead of “a couple of times” is it?! 😂

Several wasn't a couple last time I checked.

Yes but a “worthwhile investment” isn’t the same as “decent quality, well priced and a pleasant place for customers to sit”. It’s about maximising returns in the fastest time possible.

If I said I'd met a nice couple, how many people would you expect that to involve?

Interesting take… I don’t think much critical thought is required when selecting a place to eat lunch.

Also, how much did you eat to have spent £30 on lunch for one person?! There’s no way a sandwich, muffin and coffee would be £30, even from Gail’s.

Exactly. They were unimpressed the first time they went, but still decided to go back, despite the fact that being in central London, they would have had a multitude of cafes to choose from.

And they didn’t have to choose a lunch that cost nearly £30. I know when I go anywhere I look at the price of something before I buy it, as would most people.

Unless they were quaffing prosecco and having smoked salmon etc, then I find it very hard to believe it cost that much.

I think there’s a lot of BS on this thread 🙄

I live in a Gail's-free part of the country and like to visit when I'm in London. It's not all that but it's reliable for a cup of decent coffee and a generously stuffed sandwich. I do think that if it's positioning itself as being a step above Costa etc. it would be nice if a bit more thought was given to making the seating areas less basic.
Pret used to be my choice for coffee chain tourism, but it seemed to get a bit enshittified a few years ago. From some of the comments, I wonder whether it's pulled its socks up a bit.

Gail's is owned by a US investment firm!!