Breakfast reviewed at The Grange, Kirklevington Prison
In the Chapman household, a heartier breakfast than the fridge or cupboard could provide was called for, to help shake off some bleariness from a night spent reliving our musical youth at the Redcar Beach Live festival.
The bleariness came, I might add, not from alcohol (£20-worth of drinks tokens got my sister and I just three beverages between us) but from watching bands for several hours while an eye-watering gale blew straight in off the North Sea. The hardy souls in shorts and flip flops have my ultimate respect. By the end of the night, I was wearing three layers, a coat and a woolly hat and I was still shivering.
In search of something more substantial than cereal or toast, Claire and I decided to give The Grange at Kirklevington Prison a try after passing signs for it a few weeks previously on our way back from an afternoon spent walking with alpacas just along the same stretch of road near Leven Bank (thankfully this was on a much sunnier day).
(Image: NQ Staff)
The Grange is a wonderful success story that has featured in these pages several times. Opened in 2013, the café is run by inmates of the open prison, supported by staff, and aims to help them reintegrate back into the outside world.
Next door is a little shop selling plants and handmade wooden household and garden items, and the onsite car wash and valeting service means customers can get their motors cleaned while enjoying a cuppa.
The café is on the public side of the prison fencing, and Claire and I arrived at about 10.30am to find it already busy with various family groups. The Grange has the look of an extended garden shed, and inside, the decor is, as you would probably expect, clean and functional, but fairly basic.
In the morning, breakfast options include breakfast buns, bread or wraps with any three fillings of sausage, bacon, fried egg or black pudding for just £3.75, a full breakfast (the works) for £6.80, a veggie equivalent for the same price, or lighter bites such as scrambled eggs or beans on toast for £3.
(Image: NQ Staff)
There is a good selection of cakes and scones for those just after a snack, while lunch options (served from 11.30am) include various sandwiches (with a packet of crisps) for £4, jacket potatoes (£4.50) and paninis for £4.25, plus homemade slices of cheese quiche with either chips and beans, or salad and coleslaw for £4.85. Corned beef pie (£4.85 served with chips and mushy peas) and soup of the day (at just £2.75 the cheapest I’ve probably ever seen) round off the menu.
At such low prices, the temptation is to dive right in, and I did just that, ordering the works, which includes tea or coffee and a slice of toast, although I did decline the black pudding. Claire, who has so much more self control than I do when it comes to food ordering, opted for a bacon bun.
(Image: NQ Staff)
Service is done via order numbers given at the till, rather than the digits on the tables, which confused me to begin with (blame the late night) but the helpful chap at the counter put me straight.
The food came swiftly but was clearly freshly cooked. I wasn’t in a mushroom mood, so donated mine to Claire, who said they made a strong addition to her bacon butty. The bacon was good quality, as were the sausages, and all very well cooked – not greasy, not too crispy. Lovely stuff. My fried egg was nicely runny, and the grilled tomato had been seasoned perfectly.
I know some people have strong feelings about baked beans on a cooked breakfast but I scooped them onto my toast and they proved very enjoyable.
We both had a mug of pretty decent tea – served in the type of little metal teapots that always give me a burst of nostalgia for fish and chip shops on childhood seaside holidays. It’s a nice touch that the mugs bear The Grange’s smart logo.
(Image: NQ Staff)
The bill came to a total of … £12.55. Seriously good value.
Service throughout was polite and helpful, and it felt as though the team working there genuinely wanted their customers to enjoy their food and drinks. A given in any hospitality venue you might think, but sadly not always the impression you get.
The whole place had a nice buzz, but in a homely, calm sort of way, rather than feeling rushed or hectic.
Bleariness gone, we wandered out to take a look in the garden/woodwork shop next door, and check out the car wash pricing (again, very reasonable).
On a sunny day, the outside seating will be a lovely spot to enjoy a bite to eat, but no matter what the weather, The Grange offers no frills food at great value prices.
The Grange,
HMP Kirklevington Grange,
Yarm, TS15 9PA
www.facebook.com/TheGrangecafeandvaleting
Open daily 8am to 3pm, Mondays, 10am-3pm
Ratings (out of ten): Food quality 7 Service 8 Surroundings 6 Value for money 10