Porters Lake Pub — Restaurant in Porters Lake

My mom & I went here last night, arrived around 6:45 pm. There was a line of about 6 people ahead of us waiting to get in. We waited patiently and were seated around 7:10 pm. After being seated, we waited about 10 minutes to get menus, and another 25 minutes for someone to take our order and get our drinks. The place was packed and our server told us they had x-rated bingo starting at 9 pm (which we thought was very neat!).

We waited about 45 minutes for our food to come, in the meantime the pub was filling up at an alarming rate. Staff were busy adding collapsible tables so they could sell more entry tickets. By 8:15 or so, we received our meals (which were fresh, hot, and delicious!), and there was a line of people for bingo that spanned out the door and into the parking lot. There was maybe 5 free seats, plus our seats and a large booth that was not planning to stay.

Within 10 minutes of receiving our meal, three separate staff members approached us and asked if we were planning to stay. The third person said, "not trying to rush you but this is a closed event." We told all of the people that we were not staying but had just gotten our food. By 8:30 pm, we had been asked if we're staying by 5 separate people, frustrated and rushed, we scarfed down our meals and asked for the bill.

After we asked for the bill, several staff members proceeded to randomly "pop by" our table over the span of 10 minutes and ask if there's anything else we need - we asked for the bill to about 3 different staff, all of which never brought the bill. Finally, we expressed our frustrated with a man who seemed to be on the management team. Eventually someone came by and asked who our server was (she never introduced herself and didn't have a name tag). The hostess gave us our bill (not split like we asked) and quickly disappeared. About 5 minutes later, our server comes by and splits our bills then prepares for one of us to pay and disappears. I finished paying and we waited another 5 minutes until someone else came by and asked if we needed anything else. We said, we just wanted to pay and leave. They tracked down our server who prepared for my mom's payment while yelling across the pub, "don't worry, they're leaving now."

As we left, I turned to the man who appeared to be management and stated that, "this may be a fire hazard," as they had been haphazardly putting up collapsible tables to the point that you could hardly walk through the space to the washroom. Not to mention the people standing in the doorways blocking the exit. He proceeded to scream at me about the number of people they currently have versus their fire capacity number while wagging his finger at me.

I wanted to give this two stars because food was very tasty but this was absolutely the most horrific service I have ever received. If you go, and I don't mean to discourage a visit here, make sure to check whether there is an event planned because the organization of their events is...

Normally this place would get a solid 4 star - but today was a 2 star experience - leaving the 4 stars in hopes it’ll be a better experience if we decide to go back. Just had dinner with my wife at the PLP and it is normally a great place to get a great meal. We have recommended the pub highly for their food and service. Fish and chips, burgers, it’s all good. Today was a bit of a different story and hopefully not a continuing one. My wife ordered a 2 piece fish&chips and I ordered the chicken burger. Both are usually top choices and delicious. We asked for some Cajun spice to be put on our fries also, which we do every time we come. Food didn’t take long, so I was surprised to find a cold burger and fries and the wife’s fries were also cold. The place wasn’t busy, so don’t understand why, and the waitress seemed frazzled but also could have been new. The meal came out with one little plastic ketchup cup of spice with enough in it to barely cover the bottom of the cup. Usually the fries come out spiced, never on the side. We let our waitress know they were cold and she asked if we would like new fries and I said yes. I told her I would eat the cold burger. She wasn’t overly friendly and looked at me like I was crazy for saying yes to new fries. She brought out one basket of fries for the wife and I to share?? We did, and as an apology for the cold food we got charged a dollar for the sprinkle of spice that didn’t cover a layer of fries. Not to mention we have never been up charged for this before and weren’t told that it would be. Not impressed on this visit or the last for similar reasons. Will be taking a break from the PLP for a bit. I’m sure once the morale of the staff improves the service will also. Don’t take this review as a reason not to go there - it could have just been a 2 off - but we...

First time to visit PLP and I was impressed. It's true neighbourhood pub. People were gathered for celebrations, couples were having a bite after a busy day, folks were rolling in after a long work week and families were having a nice meal. It was wing night so it was busy. I should mention that they had live music and he was a great entertainer.

Only a few minutes wait for a table and the hostess was in constant communication giving us updates. I found that the menu had a great selection and it was good value. As others have noted, portions were a good size and the food was really good quality. We were a group of 6. Some people in the group had been to PLP regularly for a few years. They all raved about the portions and how good the food was and everyone was happy with their meals this night. Some had wings (awesome!!), one was a clubhouse, a few poutines and a nachos and everyone left happy.

Our server was friendly and attentive. She seemed like she was engaged with all the patrons on some level ie she knew many people at her tables well because she has been a server there for a while. We were seated close to the kitchen and there was an overall positive vibe. Staff were working together, communicating and helping each other out. I go to Porter's Lake weekly to take my daughter for a 2 hour volleyball practice. This may become a weekly supper routine!!!

Give this establishment a try. I think you'll...