Traditional, homemade food at affordable prices promised at new Buddies Bistro in Ramsgate

April 14, 2025 Kathy Bailes Business 6

A new business serving up ‘traditional’ food at affordable prices has been opened in Ramsgate by couple Cheyenne and Alex Jones.

Buddies Bistro and Buddies grab and go is based in Chatham Street after the Margate duo bought the former CCCP restaurant site from Ramsay Taralis.

Cheyenne and Alex, who have nine children between them aged from four to 25, are offering ‘traditional’ dishes from sausage and mash to Sunday roast in the restaurant and burgers, chips, rolls and more from the takeaway section.

Cheyenne has worked in the care industry for 10 years while Alex,48, is a chef with 20 years experience but has been working in building and grounds keeping for the last seven years.

Cheyenne, 35, said: “My aunt passed away two years ago and left me some inheritance money. She was amazing and worked as a social worker and with KCC so we decided that rather than just spending it willy nilly we would start something that would have made her proud.

“I have always wanted to own a business and Alex wanted to go back to cooking so when this came up we thought we would give it a go.

“Ramsay from CCCP’s sold up to us and we bought everything in the business. My husband is a traditional, back in the day cook so it is homemade food that you can’t get at lots of other places.”

The menu ranges from breakfast to jacket potatoes, beef bourguignon, Chilli, fish dishes, steak and mixed grill, burgers and more.

Cheyenne said: “there is a massive range of homemade food. We also have Buddies Bistro grab and go in a separate unit but still in the same building which is like a little takeaway.

“There are fresh rolls with fillings like homemade Coronation chicken, tuna, prawns. There are takeaway quarter pounders and chips and the whole point is for it to be affordable.

“You can take the kids out and not spend a fortune, so you can get chips for £2 and a quarter pound burger for £4.”

Currently the business is a family affair with the children and nephews pitching in to help as well as some good friends lending a hand until the couple are on their feet.

Buddies Bistro is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8am to 6pm, Friday and Saturday 9am to 9pm, Sunday noon to 6pm for carvery only and closed on Wednesdays.