January 2025. Ram Jam. Stretton.
Thursday saw Mrs RM join me on our first trip back to Sheffield together in 3 months.
We needed lunch half-way, which on the A1 north means a choice of seven McDonalds, a Starbucks, an OK Diner, or Grantham Spoons.
There used to be a pub on the Great North Road,
but the ancient Ram Jam Inn at Stretton Services was left to rot 15 years ago,
then pulled down completely.
But, unexpectedly, something started to rise from the rubble late last year, and our stop for unleaded gave us chance to see the Brightside.
Looks a bit like those Denny’s or IHOPs you see in the States, doesn’t it ?
Just opened, so not sure it’s got the trade yet, but this is already the best stop on the A1.
Great young staff, ’70s kitsch (a bit South London Antic ?), cute booths, a can of Neck Oil for Mrs RM,
a Clear Head for me,
a mid-80s soundtrack (Lloyd Cole, Sade, John Waite) for the middle-aged patrons,
and the best loos on the Great North Road.
Oh, and the burger and fries with big squeezy bottle of Hellmans Mayo was high class.
Add a hand pump (house porter called “Black Betty” ?) and get it in the Beer Guide, it’s a GBG desert in this bit of Leicestershire/Lincolnshire.
retiredmartin 
New “concept ” from the Loungers Group.
I remember a couple of sales meetings at the Ram Jam for Benskins free trade sales team, back in the Thatcher years.
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Oh, it’s the lounges is it. Makes sense. A bit of cash behind it then.
It’s very well done
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Brightside appear to be appealing to people who miss going to Little Chefs. There are only four of them at the moment and the other three are in Devon and Cornwall.
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I used to like Little Chefs, when I was a kid it was a treat to go to one. If someone wants to open Little Chefs with beer, that’s fine with me.
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Little Chef had a gastro makeover by Heston Blumenthal about 15 years ago. We had ox cheeks in Kettering Services. Experiment failed.
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I didn’t know about Heston Blumenthal but this Guardian article tells you all about it. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/nov/28/food-and-drink-heston-blumenthal-little-chef
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It was free publicity for Little Chef and their beleaguered Chief Exec who wasn’t buying into the idea of Heston at all !
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I think that’s right, though Brightside is a notch above though comparably priced. Little Chef weren’t cheap!
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Did Trading Standards ever turn up at one with a tape measure and ask to see the “chef”?
“Erm, he’s so little that you can’t see him at all”
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I remember the TV series which revealed the Chef was a lady called Irene who could operate the frying pan.
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Back when I was ticking a 1980’s Leics & Rutland CAMRA pub guide for fun the Ram Jam had the most remarkable (supposed) list of beers available it was at the top of my list of places to get the bus to and camp the night, but we never made it.
I’m pleased the Lounge people are running it, I’ve a soft spot for these reliable cafe/bars, particularly as the one in Corby remains one of the better options in town now.
(The Real) Mark
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Mark, but only Ruddles County and Sam Smiths OBB back in 1979.
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