Fox’s is something of a dying breed. There used to be many more newsagents that would happily knock you up a breakfast roll in their back room, but they’ve rather gone out of fashion. As a schoolboy I used to rely on a similar shop in the Grassmarket, so I’m sad to see them gradually being lost to history.
Exterior
Fox’s has the sense of being trapped in a time bubble. Their “general store” selection brings Open All Hours to mind. Their wine selection, competitively priced at £3.30 a bottle, features such classics as hock, piesporter and liebfraumilch. They have a small selection of sweets by the quarter including such delights as midget gems.
The owner is a tremendous character full of joyfully foul-mouthed banter. They have a good range of breakfast options from which I chose a bacon and black pudding roll. He was off like a shot to cook it to order.
Roll
With it swiftly prepared I was soon on my way. Complete with a couple of well cooked rashers and generous slices of black pudding, it was a nicely stocked and piping hot roll. The black pudding packed good flavour and the bacon was decent, too. It was extremely filling and kept me feeling full for a good long time.
So overall, I really enjoyed my visit to Fox’s. I think breakfast rolls are the things to choose, as their lunchtime sandwich selection looked a little limited. It’s a wonderful insight into a bygone era and one that should be celebrated before it’s lost to the mists of time.
Scores
Blythe scores Fox’s
3.5/5 for food
3/5 for presentation
4/5 for service
2.5/5 for setting
giving an overall 13/20
I ate: bacon and black pudding roll
I wore: black and pink
Total bill: £1.80
