Yumm Cafe - Birmingham

I 'm done with this place. I started a new job in what is widely billed as Birmingham 's creative quarter last year, and since then I 've tried various food outlets. Everything from archetypal greasy spoon cafes to the nearby, and somewhat more up-market, Old Crowne pub. Customer service at Yumm is dysfunctional to say the least, as it 's not clear who is waiting in line for food or who is already being served. The staff don 't know either. I 've visited Yumm several times, but it 's clear there is no 'in out ' system to speak of, and I 'm not sure which is worse: the staff or the customers. On my last visit I was clearly at the front of the queue, but someone unapologetically barged in front of me. When I protested he said, 'I thought you were just standing there '. Well yes, I was. I was *just* standing there being ostentatiously ignored by both staff and customers. I 'm told this was Yumm 's busy period, but I don 't think it was any busier than other eateries. I 've visited similar venues and felt happier with the service. To add insult to injury, the man who pushed in front of me was served before I was, before making off at high speed. I 'm sure this was all a coincidence, but it certainly didn 't feel like it. I had an egg and mushroom muffin and, as time crawled by, wondered if the staff were waiting for their hens to lay. Or perhaps a late delivery from their local mushroom dealer. If you want a dry run for the zombie apocalypse Yumm is definitely the place for you. The customers stand around gawping at their surgically attached phones, while the staff generally look helpless. Social skills are thin on the ground, but perhaps that 's just a sign of the times. The whole experience feels like a well orchestrated culinary insult, choreographed by someone with a PhD in passive aggression. It 's a shame because the venue looks fine on paper, located in a prime spot on Birmingham 's Custard Factory complex, adjoining a walk-in art gallery. If this is the creative quarter I fear for the future of British creativity, but I won 't bother darkening Yumm 's door again. Rudeness isn 't good value for money.

This used to be cutting edge health food, now its all burgers and chips, since the new owners have taken over this cafe has dropped to the lowest common denominator over the greasy spoon, it used to be so much better......

This café is average with nothing exceptional to note. The staff is friendly, the coffee is good, and the prices are moderate. However, the atmosphere and décor are a bit dull.

I have been visiting Yumm for a number of years and have always been impressed with the range and consistent quality of their food. From breakfast muffins, meals and toasties to wraps, meze, salads and main courses at lunch not to mention their range of home baked cakes and sweet snacks. Vegetarians, vegans and carnivores are all catered for and they are happy to remove the bread or serve unusual combinations of their food if that is what you want. All the servers are polite and friendly offering help and advice if necessary. They also serve a range of coffee, tea and hot chocolate as well as fresh juices and smoothies. Excellent value for money and also good for a treat if you feel like it!

Functional and straight forward venue. Good choice of food, very quick turnaround and service. Great value for money.