Barringtons Cafe in Northumberland

You know those painting of galloping horses that are anatomically wrong, because the artist has never studied the mechanics of a horse before? This place is like that. An American diner created people who have never been to an American diner, for people, who have also never been to an American diner. Disclaimer: I visit America every couple of years. American diners & BBQ pits are my absolute favourite things - an absolute treat that I look forward to and enjoy very much. Okay, back to Millies "American" Diner in Bedlington. Decor is okay, someone's been googling diner aesthetics and made a commendable attempt. A bit overkill on the licence plates. Background music was disappointing - e.g. Celine Dion (Canadian), The Police (British), Camille Jones (Danish), Elton John (British)... limited American input, which is wild considering all the great American artists that could be showcased. And the kitchen staff listen to UK radio loudly, so that overlays what's playing in the main dining area, which is quite annoying. Cutlery was filthy, luckily didn't need to use it. Yuk. Normally what I've mentioned would be more than enough to write off a place, and for me not to return, but here... here the menu is what really let's this place down. There are no real American diner offerings. Probably should have realised looking at social media - it's mostly pictures of cars in the car park, rather than the food. Weird. Curry & chips, corned beef pie, full English breakfasts, mince & dumplings, gammon egg & chips, fish & chips, jacket potatoes, cheese scones, quiche, ham & pease (which they've spelled "pea's"...) pudding sandwiches... All things that would never, ever, ever, ever, grace the menu at an American diner. It's just a regular, average, boringly British café. Even the milkshakes don't cover a core America milkshake flavour - peanut butter! I'm disappointed, had hoped to get the proper diner experience. Where's the Elvis sandwich? Reubens? Biscuits & gravy? Huevos Rancheros? Breakfast burrito? Chicken & waffles? Pecan pie? Still lemonade? Soda floats? In an attempt to find something passably American, I opted for Nachos. However, they were disappointing - a dish of basic lightly salted tortilla chips with an economy range squeezy bottle BBQ sauce squirted over, a small amount of pulled pork, and packet shredded cheddar dumped on it, and microwaved. Absolutely not what you'd get in an American diner - no pico de Gallo, salsa, guacamole, sour cream... Again, it screams created by someone that's never had nachos in America. The southern sweet tea was a redeeming feature, but needed to be made specially, as no-one wanted it when it was brewed en mass - this should be a staple offering in an American diner. And it was good, so it's a shame that's not more heavily promoted. I saw some pancakes being delivered to another table... They looked a bit sad, so no redemption there. This is just a cafe; nothing particularly "American" about it. However, the clientele don't seem to realise it's not American, so I guess if the locals don't know/care, it's fine? I assume you have to cater for what the regulars want to eat, so if the locals want an American diner to sell them pie (not the American pizza variety!) & chips... Well I guess you have to? In my mind, would be better to have a proper USP - give the full US cultural cuisine experience, rather than being a basic British cafe offering basic cafe food, served up beside a nylon American flag and 400 licence plates. In summary, it's a basic, British, transport-style cafe, with a mildly themed American interior. If you're a fan of actual American diners, it's a really disappointing mis-sell. Such a shame, because an actual, authentic American diner that sold an attempt at American diner food would have a USP that no-one offers locally, and could be massively popular. As it is, this place might poddle along being mediocre and only fleetingly visually American. I won't be back, it was a bit too crushingly unAmerican and failed to recreate the actual diner experience I enjoy so much when in America. There are a plethora of better British cafes closer to me, so no reason to venture back to this one, sadly.

Apparently this has just been renamed from Barringtons Cafe. About all that I could detect in the food that was "American"was waffle with my breakfast which was huge with an avalanche of baked beans, 2 huge slices of toast, a sliver of boiled mushroom, 2 good slices of bacon and an egg plus two sausages of a sort. The bacon was good, the rest just bulk. A pot of tea was the best part. Perhaps I was just out of sorts since other reviews are good but I would not come back.

This is Millie’s American Diner and it’s one of my fave places. Always found the staff to be very polite and helpful and the food is good value. This place not only does burgers, hot dogs, pancakes etc but the English breakfast is superb! A full plate of exactly what you expect and it sets you up for the day too. Occasionally I’ve eyed up the huge version of the American breakfast as a well as the supersized English but I don’t think I could manage it. On the rare occasions I’ve strayed from the breakfast and gone for the hotdogs, I’ve found them to be just as lovely. The place is clean with bits of Americana on the walls and a place for local regulars. They do special car events etc which go down well. There’s one thing that prevents it getting full marks though. There’s no background music. Whether this is a licensing issue or just the way they want it, I feel it would give it a better atmosphere rather than overhearing other’s people conversations. Recommended.

Millie American Diner ( Formerly Barringrtons) under new ownership is the best value for money in the North I can highly recommend a visit . Great food 👍 & enjoy the buzz of either the Wednesday \ Sunday car meets or the relax on a evening with awesome cheesecake check out the Facebook page for menu & opening hours

Turned up at 9:45 Sunday morning, given a menu. Left waiting at seat inside so went to desk for order to be taken along with another customer and customers outside also waiting only to find the staff were outside putting up tables whilst customers waited. Overheard other customer being told that only limited menu on today of butties and paninis on so bit pointless handing out a full menu. Got fed up of waiting so left. Left a review on another sight and was subjected to personal attacks saying I was twisting on and on my soapbox in an attempt to justify poor customer service by blaming me for a legitimate review.

What a delightful experience. The food and service was second to none. There is ample parking on site