Pet Shop Boys – The Ace Café, London
I’d heard of the Ace Café as a child, the legends of the ‘ton up’ boys who risked their lives on the – then – empty A1.

Outside the Ace Cafe, London
The tradition was to ride from the Ace Café to Hanger Lane and back before the record on the juke-box finished. These days, unless the record was maybe ‘Echoes’ by Pink Floyd, such a feat would be impossible, but the Ace Café remains.

Inside the Ace Cafe, London
I had seen the Ace Café hundreds of times from my seat on the Virgin trains that whisked me to Manchester far faster than any ‘ton up’ boy could manage. I was in the area and figured a pilgrimage was in order.

Inside the Ace Cafe, London
It was about 11am on a Monday, and there were maybe a dozen people in the café. There were as many Mercedes as motorcycles in the car park. I ordered a ‘British Breakfast’ which comprises “2 Egss, 2 Bacon, 1 Ace Sausage, Mushrooms, Grilled half tomato, 2 slices of Buttered Toast & Tea or Coffee”.

British Breakfast at the Ace Cafe, London
It was brought swiftly, and was very tasty, the Ace Sausage was both flavourful and herby, the bacon rashers refreshingly thick cut, the eggs well cooked and lots and lots of beans.
My only disappointment was the black coffee, I’ve had better, but all in all, not bad value for £7.75, the ‘Special Breakfast’ adds Black Pudding and Bubble & Squeak for an extra 50p, but I was fine with what I had.

Merchandise at the Ace Cafe, London
There is, of course, a merchandise section, but I resisted temptation.
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