Eating Out

Tired shoppers hunch over cups of tea, demonstrating that morning's bargains, while college students sit down for lunch, musing over the day's events and discussing their maths homework.

Waitresses efficiently tidy up tables after groups break up and move on as the lunch-time rush lulls and the afternoon tea brigade begin to wander in for a cup of coffee and a slice of cake.

For, situated opposite the main Asda store in Shipley's Well Croft, Cafe Oasis is in an ideal position to capture most of the town's passing trade.

A self-service restaurant, it's open throughout the day, serving a variety of foods from sandwiches and all-day breakfasts to hot meals and drinks.

And, although it wouldn't necessarily be top of my list for the most exclusive lunchtime venue I could think of, convenience and value for money are two phrases I could otherwise readily attach to it. (I have never been able to do an Eating Out review for £2.49 before!)

As we reporters barely have time to nip out for a sandwich at lunch-time (largely true), it was good to go somewhere where you could eat loads in the shortest space of time possible.

I nipped in for lunch on Wednesday and had a jacket potato filled with tuna and sweetcorn, along with a nice strong cup of tea.

Not much I can really say about the jacket potato other than it tasted nice, was gigantic, came served with salad and was only £1.99. The cup of tea wasn't bad either.

Other items on the menu included children's meals from £1.50, all- day breakfasts from only £1.99, beans and egg on toast from £1.25.

It's not quite The Ritz, but for what it does Cafe Oasis comes highly recommended as a place to put your feet up after shopping, a lunchtime meal or a mid-morning/afternoon snack.

Steven Teale

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.