Berni Inn

[karenbrown18]

Did anyone ever go to a Berni Inn or a Quality Inn restaurant as a treat... I can remember going to these when we visited Oxford Street. I remember my mum having a "Special" Berni Inn Irish Coffee....

[sixtyten]

Re: Berni Inn

Think I only ever went to a Berni once. I used to prefer the Harvester chain, the one with the Wurzel Gummidge in the hall

[Richard1978]

Re: Berni Inn

I never remember going to one, but used to see them around a lot.

In the early 1990s they all seemed to be rebranded as Beefeaters.

Sometimes I've heard them being called Berni Steakhouses, was that a sub-branding of some kind?

[kazboot]

Re: Berni Inn

As I recall the 3 course menu to have at Berni Inn in the 70s was:

Prawn Cocktail
Scampi and Chips
Black Forest Gateau

That was posh!

[HG]

Re: Berni Inn

Did the scampi come in a basket?

[kazboot]

Re: Berni Inn

Did the scampi come in a basket?

No no no, not in an upmarket place like that!

[HG]

Re: Berni Inn

aww shame, it was always a treat getting your scran in a basket when you were young

[kazboot]

Re: Berni Inn

It really was wasn't it, how funny when you think back.

[HG]

Re: Berni Inn

Yes, now its just tacky

[Richard1978]

Re: Berni Inn

Boeuf Borgenion (sp) was another favourite I've heard mentioned, along with Chicken Maryland.

[ian-2009]

Re: Berni Inn

I remember Berni Inns starting about 1961 or 62 - fantastic. I tend to think nowadays I can never find a steak as good as in a Berni, but I guess that's fond memories.

I think chinese restaurants started at the same time, they did in Cambridge anyway - you got a quarter chicken and (shoestring) chips for 4/6d. A half Chicken was 10 bob. All of a sudden we could afford to eat out.

[Heather74]

Re: Berni Inn

[Karen1960]

Re: Berni Inn

Dear Karen (another one!)
I most certainly do remember Berni Inns; I even worked at one in Gerrard's Cross in Bucks. during the school holidays, preparing the prawn cocktails! Going for a Berni Inn meal in the early 70's was a treat! They did produce a pretty good steak with chips, mushrooms and tomatoes (fillet or rump if I remember correctly). Also on the menu was dover sole; which believe me was quite posh back then! There was also one we went to at the Crooked Billet in Staines (on the roundabout) which had a tree growing through the middle of the restaurant, which fascinated me no end (or am I confusing that one with another Berni, 'cos we visited quite a few! ;-) Happy days!