We tuck in at The Hungry Stag Café, outside of Elmswell near Bury St Edmunds, and find ‘full English breakfast heaven’
I would imagine many of you will have driven past this spacious café without even realising it was there.
The Hungry Stag Café, just outside Elmswell, is probably more recognisable for some as it’s near the exit at junction 47a of the A14, by the Tothill roadworks.
When I walked in at about 10.30am it was bustling; all tables were taken up, queues were out of the door and some people were even braving the covered outdoor seating area.
You know what they say, if you can’t take a date, take a mate – I guess my cherished mother would suffice.
The Hungry Stag serves a range of options for all palates and dietary requirements. Alongside a series of breakfasts, it serves lunch dishes including sandwiches, jacket potatoes, omelettes and burgers.
There are also several children’s options to choose from.
I set myself a challenge however; the XL Breakfast immediately caught my eye.
Three slices of bacon, sausages, fried eggs and hash browns alongside sautéed potatoes, mushrooms, baked beans and a choice of tomatoes and fried bread or toast – sounds like light work.
I opted for tinned tomatoes and fried bread, all for £14.50 – what an absolute steal.
My mum opted for the large vegetarian breakfast (£11.95) which was two fried eggs and veggie sausages along with sautéed potatoes, beans, mushrooms and the choice of tomatoes and bread – she went for toast and fresh tomatoes.
We each had a coffee – a latte and a cappuccino (both £3.20) – alongside some sweet treats for after; a fruit scone and a slice of homemade butterscotch cake (£2.25 and £3.75 respectively).
As a bit of a coffee snob, I’m not such a fan when it comes out of a machine, however my latte was surprisingly pleasant and my mum said the cappuccino ‘did the job’. The scone also came with butter instead of clotted cream – not for me personally but beggars can’t be choosers.
Special mention to the staff – everyone was incredibly friendly, accommodating and – most importantly given the numbers – very efficient at turning round the tables once people had left.
Our food was with us within 20 minutes and my word, that XL Breakfast really fit the bill.
There was so much on the plate that I even managed to forget I had mushrooms until about 10 minutes in as they were hidden underneath the other items.
Everything was pretty perfect if you asked me and also, quite importantly, very well seasoned. I was in full English breakfast heaven.
As for the veggie breakfast, I was informed the items were also cooked just how they should be, eggs runny again, and the portion size very generous.
Valiantly though I fought, the XL breakfast emerged the victor. I really wanted to clean the plate as everything was just so good but I could not quite manage it all.
My mum fared slightly better, some toast and a few potatoes left. In hindsight, the large breakfast would have been sufficient. Eyes bigger than my belly clearly.
The scone and cake came home with us, but when we did get round to them the scone tasted fresh and not too crumbly and the icing on that butterscotch cake was just to die for.
Hungry Stag, it is an enormous thumbs up from me.
