It was time to get back on the food reviews. Opted to do a cafe blog this time for a couple of reasons. (1) sausage and egg sandwiches are cheaper than fish & chips and (2) I wanted to give a mention to the former Corner Cafe in Caldmore. The place had closed down but I was ever hopeful of it reopening. I then saw it had been turned into a vape shop. Apologies to Kev Paddock who witnessed my near breakdown at this. The last time I unravelled like this in front of someone was back in 2008 when my mate Madels saw my reaction to Walsall FC selling Scott Dann to Coventry. I guess times change and nothing lasts forever but it’s still sad. Thanks for everything Corner Cafe. Many a drunken Saturday adventure started within your walls.

As a side note, I read this week that singing sensation Jorja Smith has moved back to Walsall from London. The video for her single Blue Lights was filmed around Walsall including a quick shot in The Corner Cafe. I hope someone tipped her off that the place has closed before she took the plunge to move back home. Anyway onto the reviews….

Chuckery Cafe, 3 Selbourne Street, Walsall.

Only my second ever visit to this place but it’s much changed from the last time. Now decorated in the painted artwork style including a camper van, a cheerful looking donkey, happy young girl and a beaming chef. Most importantly with pride of place above the counter a sizeable nod to Walsall FC. As I photographed this, a lady at the next table commented “oh it’s nice to see someone else appreciating the Walsall work”. Absolutely. We had a quick chat on the usual lines “need a win today” etc etc. We did win, beating Colchester 1-0.

The service was friendly and the food came out very quickly, and it was delicious. I demolished it in seconds. Onlookers must have thought I hadn’t eaten for a week. I forgot to write down the price but I’m sure it was £3.50 for sandwich and cuppa. Either way it was a bargain.

A group of lads came in and one ordered breakfast without bacon, hash browns and black pudding. I totally understood the no hash browns policy but was baffled by the other two. His mate commented “bro, why even order a breakfast?” which caused amusement to everyone in the place.

Great visit this and as it’s walk-able from my house but also handy for the Walsall Arms,a dual visit must be on the cards.

I stepped outside and bumped into friend of the blog Colin which rounded off the trip nicely.

Bakers Sandwich Bar, 34A Birmingham Road, Walsall.

Cafe that opened in 2019 which made headlines months later by serving Christmas Day dinners to the homeless and lonely.

Despite being the closest cafe to my house I think this was only my 4th visit. Radio 2 was belting out Alison Moyet’s “That Ole Devil Called Love” as I entered. No menus on the tables and I couldn’t be arsed to read the one taped to the side of the counter so I just ordered and sat down.

There were newspapers dotted around which sated most political viewpoints of customers. I get my news now off LBC or Twitter so didn’t pick any of these up. Service was quick and the sausage and egg sandwich with a cup of tea,along with an Orange Club Bar which I hadn’t asked for come to £5.

Food was good although when I came to eat the Club a combination of the near 30 degree heat and leaving it resting against the cuppa too long had completely melted the chocolate. I decided it would be easiest to eat it straight off the wrapper but this left me with melted chocolate on my nose. Never a god look.

Nice little cafe this. Arty in its decor and the owner gave me a couple of pats on the shoulder and a “thanks buddy” on the way out. I like stuff like that.

Penguin Cafe, 511 Bloxwich Road, Leamore.

Cafe opposite The Railway pub that I’ve been past on the bus many times but never visited. With a day of missions that required a daysaver it was an ideal time to visit. As you’d expect it is decked out with penguins mostly in art form with the biggest on the toilet door but also some physical ones.

I ordered the sausage & egg sandwich with tea (£3.90) and was surprised that the drink was self serve with you filling the cup from a hot urn on the counter. This was a new one on me.

I sat at a table in front of the radio which was gently playing Heart FM and treating me to Katy Perry, Snow Patrol and Olly Murs. It was quite busy for a Monday morning along with some lads on the next table discussing their visit to Salford on the Saturday to see Walsall win.

Service was friendly and the food came out super quickly. I’d barely got into my Twitter feed when the phone was put down due to another type of feed incoming. The food was good and I really enjoyed this visit.

Lockside Cafe, Old BHS, 71-75 Park Street, Walsall.

I liked this place when it was BHS, especially the juddery lift but I’d only been in once since it was carved up into individual units and the cafe in there had closed down on that visit. However it reopened last Saturday (16th) by the lad who used to have The Wharf Bar, who incorporated the steakhouse of the same name in there.

Smooth Radio was on the television as I entered with George Michael performing “Freedom”, sadly his solo hit not the Wham song of the same name which is far better imo.

The sandwich orders in here are simple. No differing prices for bacon & egg or sausage and egg etc, it’s charged on the number of items contained. So my sausage and egg came in at £2.60 (£3.90 with the cuppa). I’m no Carol Vorderman but I quickly deduced that a 4 item sandwich of bacon, sausage, egg and black pudding would be £3.80. Something to consider after payday.

Food arrived quickly and it was good. The nice lady on Smooth dropped a pretty decent hint that “Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding was coming on after the news, so I nursed my tea and was rewarded with that classic shortly afterwards. Another good visit and I hope this place does well.

Jack & Ada’s Cafe Restaurant, Units 3-4 St Pauls Buildings, 1 St Pauls Street, Walsall.

Situated at the main bus station, I’ve name checked this place in the blog many times as it’s my favourite cafe but I’ve never actually reviewed it per se. So here goes. I’d got the day off work, I woke up feeling peckish which isn’t unusual for me and I thought what the hell. Let’s get reviewing.

The usual friendly welcome was afforded me along with some footie chat as the owners are Walsall fans which is reflected in the pictures of Bescot Stadium and Fellows Park on the wall.

The cafe is split in to two levels and I got my favourite table (no 5) in the upper tier. I was ravenous so went for a side salad of a slice of fried bread to go with the sausage and egg sandwich and cup of tea which all came to £5.70.

The cafe is licensed and it was good to see that bottles of SPA and IPA from Walsall brewery AJ’s Ales were available. The menu is extensive, it’s the size of a broadsheet newspaper and double sided. They do a Walsall Omelette which contains 3 eggs, cheese, ham, bacon, onion, mushroom, tomato and peas. They really had me until I saw the last 4 ingredients. They also listed vegan pork scratchings which really confused me.

The music was 60’s which is the norm, the food arrived quickly and was delicious. Also the norm.

The place is nicely decked out. Paul and Sam have created a nice vibrant place to eat and meet. There is a exhibit from Walsall Illuminations on one wall and if you are a fan of The Fab 4 you can sit in Beatles Corner. If you hate The Fab 4, other seats are available.

I hadn’t been in for a little while so it was good to see the place is still on top form. Another good visit.

Thanks for reading everyone. I enjoyed the research for this one. While I’m on, here is another episode of The Long And Shot Of It featuring Sean and myself.