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Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, American [Edit]
2-4 Rufus StLondon N1 6PE
Neighbourhood: Shoreditch
020 7729 5252
- Nearest Transit:
-
Old Street (Northern, Northern City)
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
££
- Good for Children:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Breakfast
12 reviews for Breakfast Club Hoxton
All Reviews
Breakfast Club Hoxton
Three words: The Full Monty.
Want more? How about bacon, sausage, black pudding, eggs, hash browns, mushrooms, beans, grilled tomato and toast?
The Full Monty is the best full English breakfast I've had in London as yet. Only the heartiest of eaters will be able to lick this plate clean and if you can stomach the black pudding I'm impressed!
Listed in: London Neighborhood Guide:…, Breakfast in London
Breakfast Club Hoxton
28/3/2010
I tried to like Hoxton Breakfast Club, I really did. I admired the funky wallpaper and the groaningly hip lampshades, and the girls sipping coffees in 40s red lippy, and I tried to think "Hey, this is urban living at its best". The problem was, that HBC was really rather crap.
First up is the fact that the whole look is just over. They think they're being so damn individual with their Fraggle Rock wallpaper and their disco in the loo, and haven't realised that it's all being repeated all over town from West London bakeries to the Friendly Society in Soho, and HBC are one of the last to jump onto a bandwagon that is fast rumbling into the dusty distance. These days, you can't swing a cat in the East End without encountering a whole host of venues exactly like HBC. So cutting edge it ain't.
The other problem is that too much emphasis is put on the funky little extras (the pig in a wig, quirky little signs and defunct old 70s tellies) when other factors are lacking. The cool interiors should complement good service and food, not replace them.
If you can't get there early, don't bother going. There are a host of other good brekkie places in East London where you won't have to stand in a queue of skinny jeans and stylised haircuts for 30 minutes to get a pokey table for three which doesn't fit three plates.
The waiting staff here are drawn from the Shoreditch artsy scene and business efficiency isn't high on the agenda. Menus were provided in the queue so we had long ago chosen what we wanted and were drooling as we sat down. Imagine our surprise when the ditzy waitress told us that the kitchen was more congested than the bar, so drinks first and food later. This was crushing news, but we sighed and grumbled and ordered our sad little orange juices and made polite conversation while the waiting staff flittered here and there. After 15 minutes we started to dare to wonder if we could order food now. The ditzy waitress had clearly forgotten about us. There was no sign of her or the drinks, so we grabbed the oversized trendy lapels of a passing waiter, who took down our request for three breakfasts and a cookie. Do you want the cookie now? Yes please! Then he charged off before we could enquire after the drinks, and we never saw him again either.
Eventually, after twenty minutes, breakfast arrived, followed by the forlorn cookie. Following more enquires and lengthy investigations at the bar, my orange juice finally rocked up after I had finished eating, along with the ditzy waitress who mumbled that the bar was busy.
Stop a minute. Hold the phone. The bar is too busy to get drinks out in 30 minutes? The kitchen is too overloaded to take orders when you sit down? Doesn't this all sound a bit rum? I mean, all over London there are bars and restaurants that are stuffed full of hungry, thirsty patrons. I've seen bars manned by two people manage to cater to a bustling roomful of people, and no one was left waiting 30 minutes for a beverage. I've also seen restaurants stuffed to the seams and still managing to get the food out in a 15 minute window. And they have a broader menu than HBC, who at the end of the day are just cooking endless variations on the theme of breakfast.
When it finally arrived, my friend's smoothie was funky and vile, with a bitter after taste that haunts me slightly even now. My veggie sausage was so dry that it crumbled as soon as I stuck my fork into it, and had to be scooped into my mouth, when I discovered that it was cold in the middle. Well worth the wait.
OK, maybe I'm being a bit unfair on HBC. The eggs were well done, the pancakes were alright I suppose, and I saw people around me having things that looked excellent. But my overall assessment was that trendiness took precedence over efficiency, and the waiting staff were cracking under the 'pressure' of staffing a busy restaurant on a regular Saturday. Someone needs to implement some management and organisation, and maybe sit down a few members of the crew and gently explain that there needs to be a bit less off the wall kookiness, and a bit more getting the breakfasts out on time. At the end of the day, you can have disco ball toilets and cartoon wallpaper till the cows come home, but it is never acceptable to have customers queue for half an hour outside, then wait 30 minutes for food and 40 minutes for a glass of juice.
Out there in the wilds of East London you will find proper breakfast caffs that are retro because they've been that way for decades. You won't get your fancy la-di-da breakfast with guacamole and burritos, but a steaming platter of greased-up goodness for around £4, accompanied by unlimited milky tea and possibly free copies of today's red-tops. The old couple on the hot plates will turn around a breakfast order in two minutes flat, and it's cool in a way HBC never can be because it's in a hard-nosed street with a police car racing past in an area that's still real. Plus you'll never have to queue.
Comment from JONATHAN A. of
Breakfast Club Hoxton
21/5/2010
Harsh & slightly personal, doesn't quite sound like it's…
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Breakfast Club Hoxton
14/8/2010
I am sitting here on the train after eating at HBC writing this review. I have never done this kind of thingbefore but I am so disappointed with the service and feel so sorry for the good people in the kitchen who put out decent food but are so grievously let down by the wait staff, that I feel strongly enough to write this.
Someone needs to sit down with the front of house staff and tell them that if they don't start trying to pretend that they give a sh*, then their jobs will be given to people who actually need and want one. I had interactions with 3 people here. One woman was decent. She obviously realised that I had been left and ignored and came over a couple of times to offer me a menu and food. Food businesses make their money on drinks but this is lost on the staff here. Eventually I hunted someone down for a coffee and when that didn't arrive for 20 minutes I managed to get a glass of tap water. Note to owner. Get a table with a jug of water and some glasses so people can serve themselves.There was a godawful American girl who obviously needs to get back to her installation paintings or whatever the hell she does in Hoxton because waitressing clearly is beneath her. After eventually getting me a coffee and spilling it all over the table because brain wasn't connecting with hand as she obviously had more important things to think about, I eventually got a plate of food delivered to me by a humourless and utterly disinterested waste of space,and then she drifted off never to be seen again. The male waiter actually looked at me with contempt twice before spilling a gigantic amount of milk/coffee/whatever on another patron at the next table. He eventually facilitated the payment process because I stood at the front door with the bill in my hand basically blocking anyone unfortunate enough to enter, and because American girl had more important people to serve. I could have walked out without paying and wish I did. Having worked in front of house and also knowing the desperation of needing a job and not being able to find one, I feel sorry for the owners. I have eaten in this location for years and seen businesses come and go from this very place. Obviously eating out is ultimately all about the food but service is also crucial and I will never eat here again. I feel quite insulted.
Breakfast Club Hoxton
31/10/2009
1 Check-in Here
I once had a guy tell me that the World's smallest disco was in his pants (which sadly, turned out to be the case...) so you can only imagine the confusion when I was told that in actual fact, the World's smallest disco is in the Breakfast Club's toilets.
This time, I wasn't disappointed. Fraggle Rock? More like Fraggle Rock 'n roll... ...see what I did there? (Nice one Laura. Real nice.)
Turns out, the goodness doesn't just stop at the potty, but extends to the food as well, which is much less awkward when it's not typed in the same sentence, I promise. Like the other BC branches, the food is a pleasant blend of Brit meets Americana, with ample options from both sides of the pond.
It's remarkably tough to get breakfast right, but these guys make it look easier than Claire Standish on Prom night.
Listed in: London Lunch Spots, Great for Groups, Free Wi-Fi in London, Best Breakfast, An American Meal in London
Breakfast Club Hoxton
25/1/2010
Best breakfast I've had in London, and right up there with one of the best Eggs Benedict I've had ever (which is a bold statement, since I consider SF to be the motherland of brunches and benedicts.)
While the All-American breakfast seems to be the obvious choice - skip it, and go with the Eggs Florentine (Benedict with spinach instead of ham.) Or the smoked salmon version which was tasty too and ingredients were super fresh. Great coffee and juices concoctions too, and not super expensive. I could find an excuse to go every Sunday, I think. Also remember to get your bacon streaky (is there really any other way??)
Atmosphere is funky and cool, of course aided by the tiny bathroom disco, which was a little strange, but hilarious. The only downside is the service is pretty slow and slightly inattentive, but don't let that stop you from checking it out. Also, to avoid waiting an hour to eat you should come before 10:30, especially on Sundays.
Breakfast Club Hoxton
14/5/2009
They've been open a week and I've eaten breakfast here twice...so keep that in mind as you read this review - I'll try to restrain myself.
OH
MY
GODBESTTHINGEVER
(face melting)
Now that THAT is out of my system I can tell you that this is a wonderful, joyous place that's full of life and energy and fun people and good food. I've been greeted by gracious staff each time I've been in (including the twin sister of one of the servers at the BC-Soho...wtf?) which makes me happy.
What makes me happier is that the cook is right there for everybody to see and that the smoke from his efforts make his area smell like bacon. I love my bacon and this place delivers the goods. The menu is far larger than the Soho location and I plan on trying everything on it eventually. They also don't shy away from giving you all the food you could possibly want; so there's a high probability that a heart attack will get in the way of accomplishing all of my goals.
Sure "Mei L." (if that IS your real name) loved the bathrooms, but I was taken by the Disco anteroom - painted black with a innocently spinning mirror ball hanging from the ceiling. Disco party! I'll bring the illicit substances if you bring a lack of inhibition...and bacon.
Breakfast Club Hoxton
1/8/2009
Hmm.. ok
So I had a really cool memory of the breakfast club, from when Chris O. and Mei L. had dinner there, and we came and joined them after the Yelp GoGame (wasn't that an awesome 4th of July game!! - YeeHaw!!)
So, I'd already experienced the ubercool toilets disco, and tasted a few morsels of falafel and hummus. So we decided to come and check this place out for our staff lunch this Friday.
It was one 'bad' experience. From the staff being extremely busy on a Friday lunchtime, to just really terrible food, it wasn't pleasant. I'd ordered the wrap with spinach and halloumi cheese, and I'm sorry to say, it tasted terrible. The cheese was all clumped into one end of the wrap, whilst the falafel, spinach and roasted tomatoes were loosely on the other half, and eating it, either you got a mouthful of just two or three layers of cheese and wrap, or you would have to bite off the spinach, hummus and sundried tomatoes part.. The salad that accompanied it was poorly dressed (though I doubt it was dressed at all), and whilst it's great to have uber healthy sprouts on the salad, the lack of seasoning totally spoiled it.
The coleslaw was more watery than mayonnaisy, and the wrap appeared to be half soaked or drenched in it's own juices, I'm guessing.
Can't say I was terribly impressed with the green smoothie I ordered either, it was ok, but honestly, I've had way better.
The waitress that served us seemed to be permanently trying to keep busy, but wasn't taking any time to take care of us, the customers. It seems it was more important for her to clear tables off of empty tables, as the lunch hour was finishing, than to take our money and let us leave. We ended up making our way to the door, to pay by the entrance, and only then did she seem to take an interest in us.. probably hoping we might tip her for ignoring us, and giving us some terrible food.
The only saving grace, at this meal, was the nachos starters. With melted cheese, we took the veggie option with refried beans, and it had sour cream, and guacamole, and with that starter we were all just in heaven!! It was amazing and yummi, and next time if I ever dare go there again, I'll be relying on that dish alone to make sure I have something remotely edible and yummy.
I'm sure they have better dishes, and their service isn't always 'that' terrible.. but whatever you do, don't order that halloumi panini.. it's like chalk and cheese when you eat it, literally.. :(
Breakfast Club Hoxton
12/5/2009
5 photos
This just-South-of-Hoxton Square branch of the popular Soho breakfast spot/sandwich joint/free WiFi paradise opened last Wednesday and it's about to be my new favorite place in London. That is, as soon as they get the free WiFi installed next week.
Unlike the Soho outpost, which is adorable but smaller than than my ex-boyfriends...closet, this Breakfast Club is spacious, sunny, and oh so happily decorated. There are comfy leather couches, worn benches, picnic tables, kitschy wall decorations, enamel buckets full of condiments, surfboards, colorful lettering, and assorted antique-y chairs of all kinds. Most importantly, the bathrooms fill me with an overflowing abundance of joy that bubbles out of my pores and stretches a smile across my face.
You walk into the 'Bathrooms and World's Smallest Disco' to a revolving disco ball and four different stalls independently wallpapered with memories of my childhood. He-Man and Masters of the Universe. Ghostbusters. Fraggle Rock. Strawberry Shortcake. This place makes me feel like a five-year-old-dancing with adorable little monsters to the Fraggle Rock theme song.
Besides the toilets, the food is AWESOME (that's a bad switch in topics in one sentence). An excellent flat white, creamy and strong and perfect for an unnecessarily early morning. A delicious bacon bap/butty/bit of perfection is a soft white roll generously swabbed with butter and stuffed full of salty savory stupendous streaky bacon. My companion's BLT was another bite of blissfulness. Plus the people working there were incredibly friendly and chatty and about to be our new best friends when we show up there every day for free WiFi and our daily dose of bacon.
Breakfast Club Hoxton
16/6/2009
Rarely have I ordered an English breakfast I couldn't finish. In fact stuff rarely, once, at the Breakfast Club. This wasn't because it wasn't good, it was just because it was massive, overflowing, all encompassing and ridiculous.
Putting aside the world food shortages (which probably coincide with the expansion of this mini chain) the food is good but large. This was an English breakfast with a proper sausage, quality bacon, luxuriant black pudding, and all the rest. Much better than equivalents I regularly have at the Wolseley, Roast etc..
The decor is a bit like a new version of TGI Fridays but then TGI Fridays was once cool wasn't it?
Breakfast Club Hoxton
14/5/2009
1 Check-in Here
If the food in London wasn't so damn good this place would get more stars. The fact this is the second branch I have visited also has affected my judgment. Yes the food is lovely, yes the smoothies make me dibble in the glass (never try mine if I offer!) but in this area there are possibly not better breakfast places but definitely better eateries!
It will soon be getting wifi and it's a nice lace for meetings but sorry Breakfast Club Hoxton, I love your mamma shop more.
Okay I have just realised this and I didn't include the toilet love - I've just added a star!
Listed in: Guide to East London, Pancakes in London
Breakfast Club Hoxton
25/8/2009
I have to say, I love what the interior decorator did with the place. In it's old incarnation (pre-BC) it was a dark and rather meh location. Now every time I walk past, looking in through the big open windows, I really do want to walk right in and sit down. I love the loos as well. So props to them for making the place look welcoming.
They do rather standard food, nothing that I find exciting on the menu. Tea, toast, coffee, and the jerk chicken all get good marks. Portions are very large (but I don't actually think that's a good thing, or at least it doesn't contribute to stars). Prices are ok. There are caffs where you could get a decent breakfast for half the price nearby, but those caffs don't have such a lovely interior and they shut at 3pm.
This is definitely a place that makes me want to hang out a while, and since it's never totally packed, that's easy to do.
Breakfast Club Hoxton
22/9/2009
you'll find me here every sunday from now on.
this place has a feel-good atmosphere with friendly and laid back staff, relatively quick service, delicious food, wifi, reasonable prices and decent bloody marys.
the wallpaper in the loo is trippy.
the brits haven't quite caught onto brunching, but this is a sweet start.
