I tried Queenies' new bustling high street restaurant in Chelmsford and the food was as wonderful as ever

We're sadly seeing more news stories in these times of businesses under a lot of pressure, especially the independents. Skyrocketing bills for materials, ingredients and energy are driving many to the point where the business just isn't viable. This is why it is so important to champion our smaller businesses wherever we can.

But it's so heartwarming to write about the businesses who are managing to find success in the ever-increasingly difficult landscape of today, and Queenies is one of them. An independently run restaurant and cafe in Chelmsford that was established ten years ago, Queenies has recently made the move to the high street from their small unit in Cornhill, opposite Chelmsford Market.

The owners had been wanting a high street venue - and bigger space - for some time, and this became a reality in the past few weeks. Having enjoyed Queenies' spin on the cooked breakfast before, I was eager to try this new venue out and see what was new on the menu.

Read more: Photos show transformation of popular Essex pub after 3-week refurbishment

Also read: Vintage steam train trip from Essex stations through gorgeous countryside

Arriving at the restaurant on a Saturday morning and it was heaving - with a small queue of people out of the front door. A testament to the popularity of the brand, and it showed just why they needed a bigger venue. It immediately sticks out from the crowd; the walls are bright blue with golden balloons next to the front outdoor tables, and the unmissable Queenies logo mapped out with bright lights.

Inside, the building boasts a high ceiling painted white with the walls still in that electric blue. There are flowerpots and greenery decorating the wall behind the bar, with a white, flowery tapestry on the wall next to it. The sofas on some tables are bright yellow, with plush read cushioned seating across other walls.

Sitting down in Queenies is a vibrant atmosphere, with the staff all clearly very busy with a lot of demand coming through the door. Before I'd even looked at the menu, it felt joyous to be sat in an independent restaurant that had just opened a new venue, that was clearly thriving.

Onto the food; Queenies styles itself as "the home of the freak shake" and a place that brings classic English dishes with a "unique twist". I've sampled their cooked breakfasts before, which were some of the most pristine sausages and bacon I've tried. The rest of the menu spreads from sandwiches, pancakes, eggs, and anything you can think of on toast. Plus, the menu has an entire section dedicated to avocados.

I veered away from cooked breakfasts and opted for their pancakes this time around, which came in an enormous stack, loaded with fruit, a dollop of ice cream and maple syrup. It was a huge plate of food and the pancakes were as described on the menu - incredibly fluffy. They had a great texture with the right amount of char on each side, but also a slightly salty finish to them. This was balanced well by the copious amounts of fruit and maple syrup on top, and while the ice cream may not have been necessary, it was a cool, sweet balance to the warm, thick pancakes.

While Queenies pride themselves on their freak shakes, I didn't have it in me to eat a full plate of pancakes and tackle a full milkeshake with cream and a doughnut placed on top. So for a drink, I chose one of their smoothies - peach, passionfruit and mango. It was delicious - as smooth as they come, and bursting with fruity flavour all the way down to the bottom. A fantastic accompaniment to the pancakes and a great clense of the palate.

As we paid for our food, one of the waitresses told me how on their first days of opening they had queues of people out of the front door waiting to get a table, and most of the staff have been worked off their feet with the amount of custom. Queenies has clearly made a splash on Chelmsford High Street, and is leading the charge to show how brilliant independent businesses can be, even in the most challenging times. Long may its reign continue.

This article is part of EssexLive's series Essex Eats where a member of our team reviews an independent food business in the county. We don't tell the business we're coming and we don't tell them who we are while we're there. Every meal for EssexEats is paid for by us and not gifted. Check back every Thursday and Saturday for our top pick that week of a great food spot in Essex.

What's your favourite place to eat in the county? Let us know below for a chance to have it featured on Essex Eats.