If you’ve been to Cainscross recently, you’ll notice this little corner of Stroud is seriously being spruced up. There’s a handful of thriving businesses centered around the newly refurbished Tricorn House. There’s a haberdashery, barbers, chippy and a tanning salon, all within walking distance… and a brand-new deli and takeaway called Callaghin’s Kitchen has just opened. Stroud Times has been to review their menu.
Callaghin’s Kitchen is owned by husband-and-wife Emma and Ross Callaghin. They’ve been in the catering world since 2020 when they rented a unit in the food hall at The Five Valleys Shopping Centre, until Covid and lockdowns struck. Since then, the entrepreneurial couple have been outside caterers for wedding and funerals, and until recently, they ran the horse box cafe in Victory Park.
Callaghin’s is situated in Bridge Street, just off the Westward Road. The white-washed building is in a cul-de-sac in a residential area. There’s something quite nostalgic about the building, harking back to a time where small independent family-run businesses used to be on every street corner. The building used to house a hairdressers for more than 40 years, and before that, a cafe called The Beehive, so it feels fitting for the space to go back to its ‘roots’.
Callighan’s interior design is clean and fresh, with an impressive counter displaying enticing homemade salads, coleslaws, and cakes to die for. All the sweet treats are supplied by Deliah’s Delights in Great Oldbury. Inside, there are just three small tables with chairs, and although you’re encouraged to stop for a chat with your hosts and be seated if you wish, the idea really is to ‘order and go’. There are no plates or cutlery, so no washing-up, and all take-away containers and cutlery are recyclable.
The menu consists of freshly made salad bowls, filled jacket potatoes, baguettes, sandwiches, wraps, subs, sausage rolls, pizza bread, pasties, milkshakes, smoothies, teas and coffees. It’s a simple menu, but Ross is passionate about no food waste. Everything they make, they want it to fly off the shelves, so there’s very little waste… and any food that doesn’t get eaten, goes home to feed the Callaghin’s family of five children!
I ordered one of Callaghin’s signature dishes, a salad bowl with King prawns, and a cup of tea. My colleague Matt had a brie and cranberry sub with a soft drink. My salad was fresh and crunchy, and every mouthful was surprising! Despite it only being 11am when we called in, I practically ate the lot!
Next time I visit, I will definitely be ordering one of Callaghan’s much-celebrated milkshakes, featuring the latest viral sensation ‘Dubai Chocolate’. I overheard one customer say the milkshakes were, “The Best. Milkshake. Ever!”.
In the first week of Callaghin’s opening, the business has seen plenty of footfall from local residents, workers, contractors and school children. Ross and Emma pride themselves on their competitive prices, and as much as they can, all their ingredients are locally sourced and homemade. The menu is not set in stone and will change as the seasons come and go, so we can expect new items on the menu all through the year; from warming soups to Staffordshire oatcakes (a nod to Ross’s heritage).
Callaghin’s Kitchen is open Monday to Friday, 10-5pm and Saturdays 10-4pm.
Top tip: If you’re walking along the canal, Callaghin’s is a great stop-off point if you’re in need of refreshments. Just come off the towpath at Lidl and cross the road (safely), and you’re there!
