Since 2014, family-run cafe Queenies has been a stalwart of the Chelmsford food scene. They have two venues – one in Billericay, one in Chelmsford – and the Chelmsford one has been buzzing ever since they moved to a bigger location in 2024.
More than double the size of their former space opposite Chelmsford Market, Queenies’ High Street venue was incredibly busy when we visited in early January – we were lucky to be able to grab a table right at the back. The atmosphere was incredible – and with the greenery scattered throughout the dining area and the bold, funky seating colours, it’s definitely a place with a fun and quirky vibe.
With their festive menu still in full swing when we visited, I started with a cinnamon latte while we browsed the menu: impressively presented with a branded mug and saucer and with a good amount of cinnamon, just a little over-milky for my taste.
The child thought Christmas had come again when his chocolate freakshake (£6) arrived at the table. With ice cream, cream, plenty of chocolate sauce, melted chocolate around the edge of the glass and a mini doughnut nestled on top, it was a small child’s delight. The chocolate flavour of the milkshake itself did taste pretty artificial, but he loved it!
After that, he didn’t really need his pancakes (£12), but we were happy to help him out. Three fat, fluffy pancakes were piled high and drizzled throughout with maple syrup, served with plenty of berries and a couple of edible flowers for decoration. There was ice cream, too (it had slid off before I was able to take this pic) – a really decadent brunch dish that I’d happily order myself.
The other two adults at the table went for ‘The Ultimate’ (£14): Queenies’ take on the full English with sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, homemade baked beans, herbed mushrooms, potato cake and toast. I was told it was a bit of a mixed bag: while the sausage was decent and the homemade baked beans full of flavour, the bacon could have done with being a bit crispier, and the scrambled egg placed on top of the toast made it soggy. I was able to try the mushrooms from one plate, and they were done really well.
My choice? Well, that was a triumph. I’d never seen Benedict Fries (£12.50) on a menu before our visit to Queenies in Chelmsford, but I’m now convinced that they should be more widely available!
A mound of crispy fries came topped with generously thick slices of butcher’s ham and two perfectly poached eggs, the whole thing drenched with plenty of rich Hollandaise sauce. Healthy? Absolutely not. Decadent and totally worth it? Absolutely. I’ll definitely be recreating this at home…
With a great vibe, friendly service and a varied menu, it’s easy to see why Queenies is so popular. There may have been a few elements of our lunchtime visit that were hit and miss, but they won’t stop us from coming back…