My ratings are out of 100 for each item. Below I’ll give a rundown of what I believe an ideal item is.
Bacon
I enjoy bacon anywhere from barely cooked to very crispy. My ideal sits somewhere in the middle – just before it becomes crispy. I don’t mind a bit of fat on it, but I would prefer it without. A cut from the local butcher is preferred over generic supermarket bacon. Unique flavours score well. It should not be too chewy.
Beans
Beans are a staple part of a Full English Breakfast. Without them, there’s nothing to dip the rest of the food into, and it can be a little bit dry without them. Ideal beans for me are cheesy and seasoned.
Eggs
Fried, not scrambled. The yolk should pop and run over the plate when I dip something into it. The less white, the better. Arriving on my plate already seasoned is a plus.
Hash Browns
Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. An ideal hash brown is seasoned lightly.
Mushrooms
One of my favourite parts of a fry-up that can easily distinguish a great café from an average one. Button mushrooms are preferred. The portion should be generous (not just two or three shrooms). They should be buttery or garlicky – or both – and be fried for long enough.
Sausages
Another item that can make or break a fry-up. Chip shop sausages are an instant low scorer. Thick and herby sausages are my favourite.
Other Factors
Other factors (but aren’t as important to me as the quality of the food) that I include in my reviews are:
- Accessibility of the café (nearby parking etc.)
- The cafe’s atmosphere and ambience
- The price and flexibility of the menu
- The coffee (latte preferred, but happy to settle with a cappuccino)
Not Included
I do not include tomato, black pudding, or toast as part of my ratings as I’m not a huge fan of either of them.