Johns of Appledore

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#1 of 2 Speciality Food Markets in Appledore££ - £££, Speciality Food Market, Cafe, British

+44 1237 429065+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

8:30 - 17:00

Mon

8:30 - 17:00

Tue

8:30 - 17:00

Wed

8:30 - 17:00

Thu

8:30 - 17:00

Fri

8:30 - 17:00

Sat

8:30 - 17:00

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.0

618 reviews

#1 of 2 Speciality Food Markets in Appledore

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

Someone from this business manages this listing.

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PRICE RANGE

£2.00 – £10.00

CUISINES

Cafe, British, Deli

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

meals, features

Location and contact

7 The Quay, Appledore EX39 1QS England

+44 1237 429065

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Does this restaurant allow dogs or considered pet friendly?

Yes

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Details

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PRICE RANGE

£2.00 – £10.00

CUISINES

Cafe, British, Deli

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch

FEATURES

Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Dog Friendly, Gift Cards Available

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4.0

618 reviews

Excellent

340

Very good

124

Average

Poor

Terrible

KingoMidlands

Northampton65 contributions

A true gem

Sept 2020 • none

We arrived in Appledore, parked the car up and have used Johns both the grocers and the deli all week. One of the things we admire is how this business has coped with COVID restrictions and changed their business model. We visited Appledore just before full lockdown happened so very different times. You order your breakfast rolls and drinks in the deli and then collect your order from next door which was the cafe, considering we visited during the book festival we never waited too long for our food and drinks. We love the range of food available in the deli so much we had two picnic boxes. The staff were very clear that the box may not have everything as prescribed because we ordered it late evening for the next day but we were not disappointed. Great value for money and saves you having to purchase individual items to make your own. Very friendly and helpful staff who are all doing an excellent job with the current situation we found ourselves in. We hope that they are still an option when we return in 2021.

Written 24 September 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JohnsofInstow

Wow! Thank-you for your very kind 5 star review! We look forward to seeing you again next year Helen & the Appledore team

Written 28 September 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

ANHLiverpool

67 contributions

Pricey

Aug 2020 • none

As this is the only shop selling groceries in Appledore, I think they take advantage of that as it's very overpriced. A tin of Heinz beans is 99p! I would say most branded products are around 50p to £1 dearer than the local supermarket 3 miles away. Bought the pre packed beef but after opening and storing in a fridge, the next day it smelt 'off'. The staff are also not very friendly. The sausage rolls from the delicatessen next door are nice as are the pre made sandwiches although £5.50 for one sandwich! The scone wasn't that nice. The brownie was very nice. A mixed review really. I can see they stock good products but it's just the price and the feel you are been taken advantage of. Also, not much point in their hand sanitiser that is outside the shop. It's not a pump action so you have to actually pick it up and squeeze it, so imagine all the germs on the bottle plus it comes out like water and is very messy. Also, it's not clear how many are allowed in the shop at once and if you step in, you're likely to get shouted at by the staff or even encounter a local resident informing you how you've sent the R rate up!

Written 9 August 2020

Sam C

65 contributions

Amazing food and service

Sept 2020 • couples

Just a take away for us but great COVID secure procedures in place, BEAUTIFUL food and gifty things and the staff were friendly and helpful. They do lovely picnic/ party hampers that are reasonably priced too for the great quality of food. I would definitely recommend.

Written 12 September 2020

JohnsofInstow

Thanks Sam for your 5 star review! So glad that you enjoyed your experience at Johns! We hope to see you again soon. Helen & the Appledore team

Written 21 September 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Tash P

6 contributions

Unfortunately this Johns does

Jan 2020 • none

Unfortunately this Johns does not live up to its sister cafes standards. We are locals to North Devon and therefore have had a number of breakfasts, lunches, coffees and cakes from Instow Johns, the service is always very good. Appledore however the service was horrendous, the mature service ladies were rude and unwelcoming, and unfortunately the millionaire shortbread we got to take-away the caramel was burnt and therefore completely inedible. We were not the only people within the cafe who were appalled but the service. The staff seemed more interested in there closing time than caring for there patrons.

Written 4 January 2020

arjohns_12

HI Tash Thankyou for taking the time to review us here at Johns. I am sorry to read of your disappointing experience. It is unfortunate that you didnt give me more specific details of your visit. However I have spoken to my team regarding this matter and they have assured me that moving forward they will deliver the excellent service we strive to deliver. I am also surprised that the millionaire shortbread was unedible as we have stocked this product for several years I will be contacting the supplier regarding your comments. I hope that you will visit again in the near future and have a more pleasurable experience. Kind regards Helen Manager

Written 13 January 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

phillyg5474

115 contributions

Bit of a let down

Aug 2021 • family

This place looked like it was going to be very good, however what they advertised on the boards they could not provide. Special milkshakes could not be made due to lack of staff. Could t make special brownie milkshakes but yet where selling homemade brownies so sold us standard milkshake for 50p less. Cappuccino was size of espresso. Wouldn’t bother going here again.

Written 12 August 2021

JohnsofInstow

Hi there I am sorry to hear that you felt let down on your last visit to Johns. Sadly we are very short staffed, for various reasons as is the same in hospitality in general right now. We have been extremely fortunate that we have been able to stay open to provide a service to our customers. However, we have had to put some measures in place to support the team during this pressurised time. One of them being reducing our menu selection. We hope to be fully operational next time you visit us in Appledore. Regards Helen General Manager

Written 3 September 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mintybox

Northampton22 contributions

Lovely little place!

Oct 2020 • couples

Stopped off for a late breakfast on their first day of doing Covid-distanced-friendly food. Delicious full English breakfast with sourdough toast, a perfect latte and yummy hot chocolate (Venezuelan buttons - you’ll see!). Popped into the attached deli next door afterwards to buy some of their hot chocolate buttons (stir into hot milk) as it was so good. Lara the lovely waitress was such fun, friendly, and couldn’t do enough for us. She should be on commission as we spent a small fortune in the shop after sampling her hot chocolate!

Written 3 October 2020

JohnsofInstow

Thank you for your very lovely 5 stare review! So glad you loved our hot chocolate and that Lara gave such a high quality service! Helen & the Appledore team

Written 5 October 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

joanna c

14 contributions

Poor customer service

Jun 2021 • family

We shopped at the grocery store and the deli/cafe. Sadly, both members of staff were unwelcoming and rude. While in the grocery store, the member of staff serving went outside and 'told off' people for standing outside the shop. Then she proceeded to ignore me while I waited to pay. The food we brought from the deli was good, but pricy.

Written 2 June 2021

JohnsofInstow

Hello, I was sorry to read of your disappointing experience and have shared your review with my team. It has been challenging adhering to Government guidelines and social distancing. We have policies in place to keep our teams an customers safe. I am pleased that you enjoyed your deli goodies and that you have a better experience on your next visit. Regards Helen

Written 23 June 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Pam J

4 contributions

pricing

Jul 2021 • none

A lot of the products in the shop are not locally sourced - for example, they get their milk from Freshways, the national wholesaler with a poor reputation. Cheeses are mostly imported, as are vegetables. Fruit is expensive and the prices of basic goods are much higher than shops in Bideford. This shop has a monopoly in the town and I believe they exploit it. Their cafe/bakery is also over-priced and the quiche I bought was tasteless and expensive.

Written 18 July 2021

JohnsofInstow

Hi There, We have two shops in Appledore, our grocery and the deli. We cater for a wide range of customers, offering general groceries to locally sourced and artisan goods. We openly support many local businesses and have helped them survive during the pandemic. Yes we do sell Freshways milk, but we also stock Webberly Moo milk which is from a local farm. In our deli we stock many local cheeses, and have great relationship with numerous local suppliers. The quiche you commented on as tasteless is our top selling Annas Quiche which our customers love. We are sorry you not enjoy your experience at Johns, if you are in the area again do come in and see us and we would be happy to discuss our products with you. Regards Debbie Deli Supervisor

Written 3 September 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Julie B

Wymondham6 contributions

Best deli

Aug 2021 • family

We visited quite late on Saturday not long before closing but there was still an amazing selection of food available. We chose the afternoon tea, cakes to take away and a dairy free milk shake. Our daughter has various allergies but could not believe how helpful the staff were and she said it was the best drink she had ever had! Special mention has to go to Poppy, she took time to listen to us and went above and beyond (running up the street to find us) to pass on useful information on what we had already had and recommendations to make our evening a little easier with the allergies we needed to plan for. Our daughter would have been too nervous to try anything if it had not been for the reassurance of Poppy. Thank you, we hope to visit again when we are next down that side of the country…

Written 2 August 2021

JohnsofInstow

Wow! Thank you so much for your 5 star review! It's so rewarding getting lovely comments like this from customers! Helen & the Appledore team

Written 6 September 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Shortpark8

Greater London137 contributions

Hard scones and bland quiche

Oct 2020 • none

The food is presented very well in Johns but the actual quality lets it down. The scones we bought to have in our holiday cottage later the same day are too hard to eat so maybe have not been rotated? The Quiche with spinach in was like cheesy scrambled egg in hard pastry case, looked good but disappointed. When on holiday we like to try the local produce but Johns need to up their game.

Written 24 October 2020

JohnsofInstow

Hi There, Thank you for your review. I am sorry that you felt that our scones and Annas quiche were not up to our normal standard. Both of these products are made daily in both stores and quite often we run as they are so popular. Please accept my apologies. Regards Helen

Written 2 November 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Gwespyr

Rhyl2063 contributions

Very good small cafe

Jan 2020 • none

We stopped by for lunch of bacon butties and a pot of tea. Simple food but it was still very tasty, well presented and not overly priced. The service was good and prompt with the food being served with a smile. We found the place to be very clean and tidy with a nice maritime type decor (it is on the quay after all!). Another big plus point was it was open in mid week in January unlike a lot of other seaside establishments. Another point worth mentioning is that John's also offers a deli, next door, with them being linked internally.

Written 20 January 2020

JohnsofInstow

Thank you for your very kind 4 star review! We are very glad that you found both the service and food good. Helen & the Appledore team

Written 26 January 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ronnie

Burnham7 contributions

Lovely Food But Mean Spirited and Bad Atmosphere

Jul 2023 • couples

What a shame, food and drink is lovely if a little expensive which would be fine if the people working there weren’t so miserable with customers and each other. The people working there seemed to actively be sniping at each other in front of customers. We are local and would love to support small business but won’t be back. Also wish they would reconsider - I feel that if you are happy to take £8 for 2 sausage rolls asking for a little tap water is quite reasonable and denying this is rather mean.

Written 6 July 2023

Katy Williams

Thank you for your review and sorry to hear you were disappointed about not being offered tap water free of charge to take away. Yes, in some circumstances we should be offering this, and we do have a system where when asked we have glasses on site to allow for this. As we are a takeaway establishment, we have recyclable cans for sale but yes these are chargeable. I have reminded the team today of this service and it will not happen again if you do decide to visit again. I am sorry you feel the team are sniping at each other, but we have talked this through together and don’t understand quite what you mean. I would be happy to discuss it further to help us understand and improve if necessary, so please email me at sales@johnsofappledore.co.uk. Kind regards Anthony

Written 6 July 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

lillibet12309

Preston734 contributions

The best quiches ever

Sept 2021 • friends

We were searching for a quick lunch rather late on in the afternoon after a disappointing catering experience at Rosemoor gardens. I have to say that the quiches we ate were the best I have ever tasted. The man serving us however had no personality and we found him very condescending. Maybe he was having a bad day.

Written 26 September 2021

JohnsofInstow

Thank you for your lovely 4 star review! Amazing to hear that our homemade quiches were the best you had ever had! Thanks for considering that maybe he'd had a bad day, we will be sure to follow up on this. Helen & the Appledore team

Written 27 September 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Steph w

6 contributions

overpriced below average food

Apr 2022 • family

crab baguette was filled with lettuce at the back with only crab at the front. (£8.50) one pot of clotted cream not enough to share between 2 heavy scones for the takeaway scone box (£8) sausage rolls average £3 each. won't be back.

Written 18 April 2022

JohnsofInstow

Thank you for your review Steph. Our crab baguettes are one of our best sellers so I'm sorry that that was your experience of one. The cream tea box should come with two pots of cream and I will feed this back to my team. We hope to see you again soon for what I hope will be a better experience. Lauren and the Appledore team.

Written 19 April 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

audreyalimo

London5 contributions

Poor service and incessant noise.

May 2024 • family

I took my son and his family including two small children into the cafe for breakfast. It was a bad experience. The croissants were ok but the cinnamon roll was undercooked (raw pastry) The tea and coffee arrived late (long after the food had been eaten) And it was overpriced. The worst thing however was the noise from the intrusive coffee machine. It was consistently hissing and spitting loudly and there was a constant ear splitting banging as the server was forcefully hitting something (a receptable of some sort) onto the counter to empty it. It was impossible for us to converse and some of the party left before the tea and coffee arrived. If you are going to charge those sorts of prices then you need to improve on preparation of food, the service and the atmosphere. A good start would be to get rid of the coffee machine!! I won't be returning.

Written 26 May 2024

Katy Williams

Hi Audrey, Thanks for visiting our lovely Appledore Deli & Cafe and for taking the time to leave an honest review. However it doesn't sound like you enjoyed your experience, we are sorry to hear this. The croissants we bake up fresh every morning, so we are delighted to hear that you enjoyed them. The cinnamon roll however is a bought in product by a supplier called Cakesmith. We use them as they have a great reputation for good quality, consistent products and the cinnamon rolls are one of our best selling cake products. They are intended to be a doughy sticky product though, so perhaps it just wasn't what you were expecting. We might recommended one of our famous homemade raspberry & almond frangipane tart's as a substitute on your next visit :). It doesn't sound like you are too familiar with the process of how our delicious coffee is turned from bean to brew, but I assure you that the 'loud hissing, spitting and banging' are all necessary in order to deliver the quality barista style coffee that we are known for. As for the hot drinks arriving to your table late I agree and can only offer you my sincerest apologies at this point. On this occasion it sounds like we let you down, and although it gets busy with takeaway and sit in orders, one of the team should have taken the time to let you know if there was a wait time on your order. I will of course pass along your feedback for the teams consideration. I implore you to drop in again soon in the not so distant future, so that we can show you that this occasion was an anomaly within our regular 5 star service. Yours, with sincerest apologies Tom & the team

Written 6 June 2024

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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