Late last week, one Twitter user introduced Eggs & Bread to the world in dramatic style.
It’s Monday, so naturally we’re not exactly thrilled to be back at the start of another week. But when a story like this emerges, Monday doesn’t seem quite so dreary. We’ll leave it to said Twitter user Steve Parks to pique your curiosity:
£20 for a boiled egg, one piece of toast and a mug of tea?
The story of a modern London cafe…
(Read to end of thread before commenting!) pic.twitter.com/h4Zz0xihHc
— Steve Parks (@steveparks) 13 June 2019
On the surface, it looks like another over-gentrified, ludicrously priced breakfast, the kind of thing people would pronounce “hipster”, if that word hadn’t lost all meaning due to excessive use. However, Steve’s wise guidance to read on revealed something rather wonderful – with further tweets revealing there was something rather different about Eggs & Bread in Walthamstow.
The menu is basic too. The sign outside boasts that it is ‘the smallest menu in wood street’ !
It only does boiled eggs (not eggs in any other way), toast, jam, porridge. Mix those in any way you like. It also does tea or coffee.
It doesn’t do takeaway, you have to eat in… pic.twitter.com/1u4YpNcdLt— Steve Parks (@steveparks) 13 June 2019
But then you get to the boiled eggs, and it’s self service!
They have an egg boiling station. You pop your egg in a little holder and then lower it into the boiler… pic.twitter.com/1WHaQImC10— Steve Parks (@steveparks) 13 June 2019
Delicious. Love a boiled egg and soldiers.
Next up, take your plate and cutlery back, scrape the food waste into a special bin, and stack the dirty crockery ready to be washed. Pay £20. Have a chat, and then get back to your day…
— Steve Parks (@steveparks) 13 June 2019
Very little choice, no waiters, and you’ve got to cook your own meal AND clear your own plate? Either there’s something else going on, or the cafe have created a lucrative money-spinner with minimal effort. Thankfully, it’s the former. Eggs & Bread is a “pay what you like” cafe, whereby those who are able to can overpay for a cup of tea and a boiled egg, so that the less well-off can eat for free, or pay a reduced rate for breakfast. They also serve crumpets, porridge, and the odd cake too, for those avoiding eggs.
If you want to pay, there’s a small donation box next to where you drop off your dirty plates. But nobody sees, and nobody will notice if you can’t put anything in.
The idea is that if you can afford to put something in, maybe contribute for some other breakfasts too. pic.twitter.com/WZs219dpCH
— Steve Parks (@steveparks) 13 June 2019
As inequality in the capital rises whilst wages stagnate, and many are forced to food banks in order to feed themselves and their families, social ventures like the cafe become ever more vital.
If you are a city Broker or simply broke everyone’s welcome. Whether you’re catching up with friends, or just want somewhere comfy to grab a bite, we’re here, and at NO charge. https://t.co/jhQdOZrvNE #paywhatyouwant #community #walthamstow #e17 #lovelocal pic.twitter.com/udri5MRYey
— Eggs & Bread (@EggsBread1) 16 June 2019
To be sure, it’s not groundbreaking – these sorts of ventures have existed before, such as the Brixton Pound and The People’s Fridge – but the sheer amount of attention Eggs & Bread has had bodes well for its success, and will hopefully inspire other likeminded projects.*
So with that in mind, we’re going to do the typical Secret London thing: encourage you to go out and get brunch. But this time, try wildly overpaying for it (if you can), and help everyone get the nutritious breakfast they deserve.
Location: 191 Wood Street, Walthamstow, E17 3NU. Nearest station is Wood Street. See it on Google Maps.
Opening hours: 7-11am (Mon-Fri), 8am-midday (weekends).
Price: whatever you feel you can afford!
More information: from their website.
*Of course, if we’re wishing for things, I’d wish for a coherent government policy on addressing inequality, along with a massive investment to reverse austerity, so that this cafe wasn’t necessary. Not going to hold my breath though…
Featured image: Steve Parks, via Twitter