Carl Bibby
09.03.2025
Just had the worst customer service experience. Ordered two Sunday roast meals both came with no Yorkshire puddings I pointed this out to waitress who replied we've run out they should have told you when you ordered, "they hadn't "it was the manager that took the order then as I was tucking in I realised that we had no carrots also on both meals so I called a different waitress over and explained,I'll tell the kitchen know was the reply. We finished our meals still no carrots had arrived so I went to the bar and asked to speak to the manager tuned out it was the lady that had taken the order who said she didn't know at the time we ordered that they had ran out of Yorkshire puddings and hadn't been made aware of the missing carrots.I pointed out that she should have came over to the table and asked if we wanted to order something different off the menu and not just hope we wouldn't notice and the waitress was new who I had spoken to about the carrots and to be fair she did offer a refund on the meals. I refused to accept the refund as I feel some people do complain about nothing in order to get the meals for free I'm not one for complaining but felt I couldn't leave without saying my piece and letting them know it's not acceptable to just try and fob people off.I think Marsdens as a company need to do some serious customer service training.
Julie & Chris
09.03.2025
Only one person on bar - very slow. Beef overcooked, dry and tough. Service could be quicker.
Terry Johnson
05.03.2025
2nd visit this year March 2025, 1st visit over an hour wait for any food but food was good, 2nd visit over an hour wait for any food, food was shocking, service was shocking, we definitely will not be returning, it wasn't even that busy!!
Susan B
01.03.2025
Very quick drink service, used the qr code very easy and straightforward. Definitely come here again and I love that we can bring our dog. All servers were polite and quick to get anything you need. It's was a really nice experience and the food was lovely and have enjoyed it.
Seonaid Mckay
02.03.2025
Pretty awful experience at Poachers today. And not the first time I've been where they're clearly very under staffed and have zero ability to communicate with their customers. We placed our order at 3pm and only received our mains at 4:30pm after asking where they were. Admittedly the starters were very nice. But the mains were subpar at best. Two of us had the roasts - we had to ask for things that were supposed to be on the plate and it felt very much like we'd been given the dreggs of the day. Dry meat, potatoes like cardboard, no real flavour. One of us ordered cheesy garlic bread which was as hard as nails. We all left feeling frustrated and disappointed. This place isn't cheap, and for £30 a head we'd expected a lot more. No offer to comp anything or even a free drink either. Staff were unfriendly and just seemed like they didn't want to be there. Plenty of better places to go in the area.
Lynn Sedgwick
02.03.2025
Waiting to long for mains and the food when did arrive was overdone. The pie i ordered was so overcooked that I couldn't put a knife through it.
darren lawler
01.03.2025
Urgent staff training required in positivity and manners
Deiniol Williams
28.02.2025
Excellent service from everyone, we were welcomed warmly and shown to our seats. We were asked by a member of staff if anyone had allergies even before we raised the fact my wife is coeliac. This was not an issue and it was dealt with courteously and professionally. Our drink order was taken promptly and we were given the opportunity to make our choices from the extensive menu. Our waitress was very warm and friendly and took care to make sure that she had our correct order, especially when she was dealing with my wife’s dietary needs. The food was fresh, delicious, hot and very generous. We were all very happy with our meals. When it came to paying both my wife and I are Blue light workers, we had asked if they were part of the scheme prior to ordering and we were told that they were, our discount was applied to the bill with no problem. In summary, what a wonderful experience and we will be back. I have already recommended you to friends and family.
Alan Haynes
28.02.2025
We waited over half an hour for our order, which was just one prawn cocktail. When it arrived it was presented well, however it was tasteless and the bread wasn’t very fresh. The only saving point was the waitress did apologise for the delay but that was only when serving the order.
melanie lingard
29.10.2024
Lovely pub by the canal. Has seating outside, some of which is covered,do good in most weather's
Food is good and the staff are friendly, patient and helpful.
Alwyn Jones
24.02.2025
It was a clean, well maintained establishment and the decor was up to date. The staff that we dealt with were helpful and were approachable, The food was as expected and our booking of 6 people were all happy with their chosen food items.
Katie
24.02.2025
Seated in an area with dogs despite booking the dining area. Did not have one of the drinks ordered and did not refund the difference in price of the alternative. Took 45 minutes to come out and tell us they did not have enough of one of our food choices and another ten minutes after that to be served our food. Steaks and lamb were massively overcooked. Accompaniments were not as described on the menu and meat and veg looked and tasted as if it had been kept warm for a long time. Noone came to check on us to feed back so we left with our food mostly uneaten.
Suzanne Bellingham
08.11.2019
Not impressed
Sara Taylor
23.02.2025
Poor service
tom clarke
23.02.2025
Carvery's were obviously warmed up on the day, burgers were frozen and cooked again and were very dry, since new ownership it seems it’s lacking, overheard a few complaints about food in the 2 hours we were there
Tara
23.02.2025
I have been to this restaurant in previous years, and have been met with good customer service and well cooked food. However, today I have sat for a meal with 6 friends to be greeted with a bad attitude from staff. I have had to send my meal back on 2 occasions because they have not cooked my food to my request. I also was served food in a dish that had remains of previous food stuck to the side of it. I requested to speak with the manager, who then said ‘I can take the amount off your bill if you don’t want the food’. As if I was going to keep a poorly cooked steak, with dirty cutlery and crockery and then pay £22 for the privilege.
This restaurant has dramatically gone down hill, and it is a shame. I will not return as I have done before.
Paul Gardiner
22.02.2025
Having been going to the Poachers for many years, we had a very disappointing experience today.
My mum and I were 12 minutes late for our booking. Admittedly we were late but when you are trying to help a disabled person, things don’t always run to plan.
Mum having struggled in to the restaurant, we were told our table had been given away which, given how comfortable the other customers looked at our table, must have been done within minutes of our booking time. So no grace period - clearly just focussed on bums on seats rather than customer loyalty.
Yet the online booking system was showing free tables all afternoon.
Fortunately we discovered the delights of The Queens Head near Whittington and will be going there in future.
d3ano03
22.02.2025
Drinks are very expensive. Food average . Small portions but the place is clean and friendly, although not really busy they were turning people away if they hadn't booked.
Christine Cameron
22.02.2025
I have eaten here on numerous occasions and could never fault it. But this time, the food was overcooked to the extent it came on my plate black. My starter of Halloumi fries consisted of 5 small fries at the price of £7. My main was cauliflower wings on a flat bread. The cauliflower was burnt to a crisp. And my chips were overcooked. We ordered our food at 5 and finally got it at 6 considering the place was very quiet. So disappointed 😞
Emily Chesworth
16.02.2025
Haven't been here for a while and was very disappointed today. All the food was cold. Ordered the roast dinner and had to ask the waitress twice for stuffing and then crackling which comes with the meal. Gravy was wishy washy and had no flavour. Knifes and forks dirty so we had to clean them ourselves
I'm sad to say that I don't think we will be returning in the near future
nikki sutton
20.02.2025
Didn't get past the reception at the door. Asked if there was a table for 3 to eat was told no so asked if we could just have a drink. Was told no . There were no table free yet a whole room of tables at the back was empty.. good luck to you if you can turn away paying customers in todays climate. This was yesterday . 19th feb 1.45 pm
amanda wilson
20.02.2025
It was a shame there was only one cook in the kitchen on the day we visited. An extremely long wait for food - party of 4 (we were advised of the 40 minute wait - but it was way longer) They recommend the steak medium rare which was ordered and it was medium well. It was returned and the replacement was perfect. The waitress/manager was extremely rude. No beer on draught. Only americano coffee (Coffee machine not working) Would I recommend - no. Would I visit again - no. To add insult to injury they overcharged us for the meal!!
Gareth Jones
19.02.2025
Great pub a food, cold day so were great full of a whisky and a sit down👍
