Rationing in cafes 1952

[TallDave57]

In 1952, when wartime rationing was still in force in the UK, what were greasy spoon cafes serving, when you could only have one egg per week and bacon, ham etc was limited to 100g each per week?

[Ewood27]

My memory may be at fault on this, but I think rationing was finished by 1952. It was never reckoned in grams either, but in ounces. That's splitting hairs though. As far as I can remember, when rationing was strictly in force, caf�s did have some supplies, but only very small portions of rationed foods. They made up the bulk with vegetables and things that weren't rationed. Tinned Spam (SPiced hAM) and dried eggs probably figured quite large. At the height of WW2 there were special allowances for heavy manual workers who needed more calories to maintain the war effort.

[smudge]

I wouldn't know, I was only 5 years old then! :~)

[BrumBob]

Spam

[mother25]

By 1952 most foods had come off ration, sweets were the last I think. However, at that time I suspect there wouldn't be too many cafes, greasy spoon or otherwise, as most people couldn't afford to eat out. Anyone with a garden grew their own veg., and those without a garden often had an 'allotment' (Small plot of land often near a railway line) rented from the local council which was also used for growing veg., with maybe a few flowers. Dried egg was indeed part of our diet, and I can remember being given cocoa powder mixed with a teaspoonful of sugar at school 'for extra nourishment' - we also had small bottles of milk in school in those days, again for nourishment. I was a milk monitor and well remember bringing the milk in from the schoolyard, frozen in winter so placed on the radiators to thaw out! Imagine what an outcry there would be if that happened these days! Then there was 'Woolton Pie' recommended by the government as a good way to feed a family. It was essentially a pastry base filled with as many different vegetables as possible, covered with a pastry lid and baked in the oven. This was often served with gravy, but rarely with anything else! I think we were all much healthier though as we had no processed foods as such, and MacDonalds et al hadn't arrived here yet!! Happy days.........

[tramcar]

As I remember cafes were restricted by price. Meals could not cost more than something like 1s 4d so you weren't going to get too much fillet steak with your meal! I can only recall meals at "Lyons' Cafes" which usually consisted of mashed potatoes, greens, and a little meat As someone else has said, this was healthy eating!