The Wagon Boulangerie: 'I tried Essex town's top café and had the best crepes I've ever eaten'

Walking through Loughton High Street, there is certainly no shortage of trendy cafes, bistros and pubs to get you stopping by for a bite to eat. Before making my choice, I had a look at the best cafes in Essex, deciding to see if the claims were true at Loughton’s number one rated cafe according to Trip Advisor, The Wagon Boulangerie.

As far as I could see, reviewers had rated it highly because of its fresh food made to order, its cleanliness, friendly staff and good selection on the menu. Would it live up to the raving reviews? I went to find out.

Before even stepping inside, the waitress caught my sight, welcomed me in, and was placing a menu in my hand. I was glad to have been handed it straight away because the menu was extensive. Reminded of the reviews, which named the crepes and milkshakes as “amazing”, “good” and “fantastic”, I went for the classic lemon and sugar crepes (£7.50), which came with a side of vanilla ice cream. Anything that offers a side of ice cream is probably worth trying out in my book.

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In the same vein, I also added a serving of banana milkshake (£4.80), also made with vanilla ice cream, to compliment my lunch. With a large double-sided menu to choose from, it was not an easy choice, the reviewers were right, but it was definitely the best choice.

The grin on my face when my plate came out was joined by other customers smiling and gawping at my choice, a sure sign that my crepes were the envy of everyone around me. One table of women even leaned in to tell me that I’d chosen well, but added that they’d tried almost everything on the menu and that my choice was one of so many delicious dishes– a problem if you love food, but don’t wish to be greedy. Without even asking, the women shared how their homemade vegetable soup was exactly what they needed on the not-so-sunny day in Essex that I visited.

Before I share what the crepes were like, it is important to note that crepes are one of my favourite treats, and have always been a staple growing up. A ritual in my household every pancake day, mother’s day, birthday, or let’s face it any other day that could be used as an excuse to whip up a batch, I have very high hopes for my favourite daytime dessert. Served with a fresh slice of lemon, my first bite of the crepe was light, and moreish. Folded neatly into a pretty, layered presentation on my plate, my brunch was not perched on my plate for long. Sweet from the dusting of sugar with a slight sour kick from the lemon was everything that I hoped it would be. My only complaint would be that there was not more of it. The warmth of the crepe paired with the creamy, smooth, and rich vanilla ice cream really made me glad about my choice. Combined with a thick banana milkshake, that actually had a proper banana flavour, made me think I was in an American diner somewhere, The Wagon Boulangerie definitely knows how to make a milkshake for the ages.

Taking in my surroundings, my lunch was cocooned with couples and groups of women hashing out their weeks. It was a place that clearly locals love to go for great food, in a clean café with the most delicious crepes I’ve found yet. While I was left unsure of why it was called the ‘wagon’ boulangerie, other than the wheel décor, it made me realise that perhaps it was a sign of the café really going places.

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.

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