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.