"YOU must try Brenda's" was the cry of readers I addressed at a meeting last year.

Responding to this suggestion, we intended to combine our snack with a visit to Selby Abbey. The Abbey we found, but where was the café?

By accident we spotted Howath's. It looked attractive and well patronised, so we entered.

The cafe was bright. Each table was lit by a suspended light in Tiffany glass. The decor was interesting with a frieze that, at a glance, resembled a plate rack.

The menu was what we find throughout the area. Drinks, salads, sandwiches, jacket potatoes were all reasonably priced.

There was an impressive specials board. Poachers chicken with rice or chips and garlic mushrooms with salad (both priced at £5.35) were examples.

Our immediate objective was to have a pot of tea (£1.80).

This came with smart china, each saucer had a drip mat and guess what? They had 'Brenda's' printed on them.

Apparently the cafe changed ownership (and name) last year with the new proprietors inheriting a quantity of printed drip mats that they were using.

Ann wondered whether to have a jacket potato at £2.50 for one filling, £3 for two or £3.60 for luxury contents.

Finally from the specials board she requested lasagne with salad (£5.35). This was tasty, with plenty of meat but sadly defeated Ann because it was so substantial.

However, the two accompanying pieces of garlic bread went down a treat, and the salad, requested without onion but still including corn and cress, was appreciated From the standard menu, I ordered a well-done gammon steak, chips, peas and an egg (pineapple alternative) at £5.35.

This was a good-sized plateful with the gammon cooked just as I like it. Additionally there was a garnish similar to Ann's salad, but in a smaller proportion.

As we ate, the 44-seater café filled up, with some customers choosing not to wait for a table.

It obviously pays to arrive early.

By the time we had eaten our meals, it was impossible to contemplate a pudding (£4.25) or even a scone (£1).

We can understand why this café is so popular with the food providing real value for money.

Even early shoppers are catered for with a breakfast selection of all the usual items, including hash browns and black pudding.