I decided to give Muffin Break one final chance after delivering one of the single-worst food items I'd ever ate at their Chester store, mainly down to previous good experiences a couple of years ago, so I hoped the branch here at intu Derby, opposite WHSmith would help restore my faith in a brand, I'm beginning to feel more confident in, but sadly it didn't restore confidence and virtually acted as the final nail in the coffin.
Muffin Break is a small chain, operating on a franchise model in most parts and the store did have a feel to it, the staff member working seemed distracted but she did also seem friendly/helpful whenever I wanted to ask a question or make a purchase, so that was okay.
The opening hours of the cafe is also puzzling as it closes at 5:30 pm which is much earlier than the rest of the mall, which sometimes stays open until 8 pm: it makes little sense.
I chose the last gluten-free muffin of the day, the chocolate and strawberry muffin, it was pretty cheap at £2.40 which was even £0.10 cheaper than their Chester store however I wasn't too impressed, the chocolate chips had a strange taste too and I don't think it went well with the strawberries, while I did like the combination of white and milk chocolate as icing and the regular part of the muffin without the chocolate chips was okay, I wasn't too impressed overall.
Better than the Chester store, but that wouldn't be hard. Perhaps with some improvements to ensure staff members don't become sidetracked and making sure every part of the muffin is of sufficient quality this place can become more than the second-best coffee shop in the shopping centre (There isn't that many either so second-best isn't entierly brilliant). 2* read more