I recently sampled my inaugural full English breakfast at a Wetherspoon pub, and while it satisfied my hunger, several aspects caught me off guard. Arriving at 9am on a Thursday, right after the branch opened, I anticipated an almost empty pub. Instead, I found seven or eight patrons already seated: a pair of French tourists, a young couple, a father and son, two men in business attire drinking pints, and a few others sipping coffee alone.
I settled into a comfortable booth at a large circular table and ordered the "traditional breakfast." For £6.09, the meal included a fried egg, bacon, a Lincolnshire sausage, baked beans, two hash browns, and a slice of toast. I also added unlimited refill coffee for £1.85. In central London, where a latte often costs over £4, this price felt like a steal. The Lavazza latte itself surpassed my expectations, even outperforming offerings from major coffee chains.
The food arrived promptly, and I quickly understood why Wetherspoon breakfasts have a devoted following: simple yet effective. It wasn't a large portion nor the best full English I've ever had, but it was comforting and affordable. For a no-frills breakfast before work, after a night out, or while saving money, it fits the bill.
However, one notable absence stood out: there were no tomatoes or mushrooms. Many consider these staples of a "traditional" English breakfast, so their omission felt odd. As it turns out, these items are only included with the large breakfast option, priced at £7.69. While the standard version is cheaper, I still expected at least a small tomato or mushroom to justify the "traditional" label.
The portion sizes were also smaller than anticipated. The hash browns were tiny and lacked flavour, and the sausage, though pleasant, was on the small side. Nothing tasted bad, but much of it felt bland. The scrambled egg could have used seasoning, the bacon had considerable fat, and overall, the breakfast would have benefited from larger portions and more flavour.
That said, it's hard to complain given the price. Wetherspoon clearly isn't aiming for a luxury brunch experience; it offers a cheap, reliable breakfast, and in that regard, it succeeds.
