14. Brick Lane Beigel Bake - Salt beef beigel - £3.70

I've decided there's too much foodery in this food blog so I thought I'd throw in some introductions to the greedier of my friends that keep me company while I eat lots under the pretence of research.

First up is my sister who plans her day around meals to almost the same degree as me (routine is key to good parenting, clearly... as is feeding them). Not only is she an expert eater but she also proofreads my ramblings and makes excellent suggestions that I rarely take on board out of stubbornness. 

We have a long history, me and her (those 2.5 years at the beginning without her are just a blur) so who better to be guest blog contributor? Plus, she has a better camera on her phone than me.

So this is Holly and her face doing her best Jamie Oliver:


Some interesting facts about Holly: 

1. She once made the mistake of falling into a holly-bush at a family reunion; the irony of which was not lost on our large extended family and, in the 20 years since, has yet to be forgotten.

2. Though generally supportive, she still basically wets herself laughing over the time I tripped over backpacking, couldn't get up under the weight of my stuff and floundered on the ground, UNAIDED, for a good 5 minutes. Having watched me right myself she finished the giggle fit with a reassuring "EVERYONE saw!". Thanks.

3. Her default tune (the one you hum when you're away with the fairies) is 'Just Around the River Bend' from Pocahontas. It's really quite moving when her subconscious properly gets going.

4. She displays feeder tendencies; tendencies that manifest themselves in excessive (and delicious) baking; tendencies I'm completely OK with.

And that's everything you need to know about Holly... so back to food!

Brick Lane Beigel Bake is POPULAR and for good reason as it turns out. The queue on a Saturday afternoon was long, but those ladies behind the counter are efficient. We were back on the street, slightly dazed but clutching 2 beigels and plenty of change from a tenner, before we knew it.  

Thick chunks of pink, super succulent salt beef in a soft, fresh, slightly sweet beigel with great globs of punch-you-up-the-nostril-and-make-your-eyes-water mustard. There was silence and must have been facial expressions (I imagine dreamy ones), prompting a nearby homeless gentleman to comment 'Good, aren't they?'.

Yes sir, yes they are.

Now, having done a bit of research, I think I might be the last person to know about this place but, in case I'm not, I will be spreading the good word.

You walk in and see the queue doubled back on itself, the ridiculously reasonable price list, the general hustle and bustle in the open bakery and you instantly want to be a Regular (capital 'R'). The kind of place you want them to know your name (not like places where it's depressing when that happens, like Starbucks). 

If you haven't already, go here and prepare for an awakening. I will be returning wearing a name tag.