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?

Wow! Thats a do I laugh or do I cry situation.

Yeah I don’t think Gails can compete with that at all!

Thanks for posting.

Love our Gail’s. The only coffee place near home that does consistently decent coffee, their chocolate babka buns & bluberry brioche are worth the calories, the longstanding staff are lovely and will often give 6 year old DD a small freebie. It is £££ particularly for food but not massively so for coffee.

Do not rate it at all. Massively overpriced. The one I visited also had such filthy toilets I walked out again and complained about them.

I don’t rate it. I don’t think their coffee or bread is that nice

Starbucks is a low bar to clear, tbf

I’ve never been in (I use the excellent independent bakery stall on our pop up market instead) but everything I’ve seen through the window looks TINY!

So many people have mentioned the cinnamon buns I feel like I need to try them out! Good to know my dog will be welcome too, thank you.

It is by far the best of the chains and by a long way. I can’t justify spending £7.40 on a sandwich, but like going in now and then for a coffee and cinnamon bun. Their mince pies are excellent.

Emperors New Clothes.

Seating area is like a school cafeteria - all bright lights, hard surfaces and noise bouncing off every wall.

Food is overpriced, looks overcooked in some cases and quite frankly, I cannot understand the sheeple who stand there and queue for overpriced food that everyone in said queue breathes over/coughs over/talks over while microscopic spittle lands on food kept at waist height in an open cabinet before they get to the checkout bewilders me no end.

Coffee is ok, but how do people not find food kept exposed in cabinets just gross??

Is this not the brand that deliberately sets up a few shops down from successful independent bakers to directly compete. I would try to avoid chains for this reason.

I've been in one once. Staff were unfriendly and it was very much aimed at takeaway service at the small branch I went to. Coffee was good.

I’ve bought their sourdough on Ocado a few times (we don’t live near a shop) and I have to say I wasn’t massively overwhelmed by it.

This. The croissant i had was totally dessicated and very 'dark baked'

That first morning croissant should be pure buttery luxury, otherwise it sets a shitty tone for the rest of the day

Edited to say that Greggs have a remarkably strong morning pastry game!

I agree. When I walk past the one here I always think that I would bin all of the stuff in the window if it came out of my oven because it looks burnt.

Seating area is like a school cafeteria - all bright lights, hard surfaces and noise bouncing off every wall.

Yep, that’s the same at my local one, although better at the city centre branch. I wonder if it’s deliberately designed that way to deter people from sitting down ‘too long’?

Where I live they open up in streets with an already thriving trade in independent coffee shops and basically put them out of business. It's really sad. I think Gails is very mid, slightly better than Pret but so much better out there.

I’ve never understood the hype. Been in twice, thought it was poor both times. Why do they overcook everything? Dry and hard.

I really don't rate it.

It's expensive at at those prices you'd hope they'd have some staff clearing tables sweeping the mess off the floor but usually just mess and dirt everywhere

Everything always seems really dry and stale to me.

Their coffees are fine but I agree their cinnamon rolls are gorgeous! I can take or leave all their other stuff but I’m slightly obsessed with those.

I’ve been there a few times this year and that’s all I’ve got except an occasional coffee for takeaway with the cinnamon roll . I tried a couple of their other pastries in the past but find the cinnamon roll reigns supreme over their other items 😆 have only got savoury stuff a couple of times and it was all just okay.

I feel I can’t justify the price for a coffee AND pastry unless I’m sitting in with someone, so now I just buy one or the other on my way back home from the library, as buying both adds up to about £9.

Usually I’ll get their cinnamon roll then go home and make my own piping hot coffee or tea to have it with. Magic!

Only been in one once when visiting a friend. Coffee was good and cake fine. My only concern was the lack of obvious protection from flies for the food items.

Thank you! Honestly had no idea. I’m on Oxford Road and rarely up that part, guess that’s why I didn’t see it! Will be going in for my rose and pistachio cake…

Would you rather vape shops, Kurdish barbers and charity shops and vacant shops?

Yes I think about this too! Not just flies but people sneezing, dogs shaking dander etc.

When Gail’s opened up in my town last year I was glad because I live right near the high street - about 7 minutes walk from Gail’s! So I can get there super early before the pastries have been out too long.

I think the first time I went there I was the first customer there. I was standing waiting for it to open 😆 it was about 7:30am.

Gails’ cinnamon buns were my fav….. until I tried and Ole & Steen cinammon social. Find one, they are amazing 🤤