Bob's Smithy Inn — Restaurant in Bolton

I'm genuinely shocked how this place seems to have such a high review rating. The experience I had there was awful.

Parking just looked to be a bit of a free for all with people just sticking their cars in the middle of there, we were lucky to get a spot. If they painted line markings in there then the cars would be parked much more efficiently maximising the space available.

Upon entering we weren't sure if you needed to speak to somebody to be seated or just go and take a seat as there didn't appear to be any clear signage. I did go over to find a member of staff to check if that was the case, meanwhile my partner and 2 year old son just went over to a table to be out of the way.

The older woman that I spoke to had an awful attitude and was furious that they went over to a table for a second!? She spoke to me in an awful tone as if I should have known how it works there. She did however direct us to a table and told us somebody would be over to take our drinks order and give us menus.

We sat at the table for around 10 minutes without anybody seeing us and then some other people were seated next to us and had their drinks taken immediately which annoyed me. They also ordered their food before us.

After we ordered food (nothing complicated, 2 burgers and a ciabatta with chicken) we had to wait between 50-60 minutes for it to arrive. My poor 2 year old son was starving and saying he wants his burger.

When the food finally arrived, because he'd been waiting that long and was so hungry and his food was too hot for him to eat he had a meltdown. I felt so bad for him, but you're at the mercy of how long it takes for the food to arrive.

I wasn't pleased with my burger, it was really greasy and the meat sized too big for me - just a fat chunk of greasy beef. I didn't touch any of the fries so I'm not sure what they're like.

My partner seemed to like her ciabatta and my son ate his burger after calming down.

The people who had been sat next to us and got their food earlier than us finished their meal and left. They had a little baby girl maybe a year old that made a mess on the floor (understandable, but if our son made a mess like that we always clean it up). The same woman came over cleaning it up commenting on the those particular customers saying "I wouldn't like to see what their house looks like". Quite unprofessional, but I'd come to expect it from her at that point.

I don't plan to return at any point in the future. Blundell Arms up the road is a much...

Between 1300-1400 we rang and asked if we could make a reservation for three adults and a 6month old. We were told 1500 but they would need the table back at 1745 we turned up around 10 minutes early.

From the get go the place was, “off” standing at the bar with a pram, the staff seemed purposefully ignorant to us. Not so much as a “have you booked a table, I’ll be with you in a minute” - it was like we were in the way although there was no one at the bar. I had to ask the barmaid “is this where you go if you’ve booked a table?” As it wasn’t obvious and noone wanted to help.

We were then seated. On the table was a chalkboard with 1500-1745 on it. In the far corner of the restaurant I spotted a stack of high chairs. I positioned the pram there and then proceeded in taking a high chair (note I had no issue doing this). For some reason though the owner thought it would be best to start on her not so merry way of jibe like comments “if you had told us you needed a high chair we would have had one out already”. I hadn’t said a thing so why this was necessary I don’t know.

Starters were really nice, delivered promptly and all near enough at the same time and as were the mains.

The wait staff and food was great and attentive and that is the only reason why this is two star.

The time is 1722 and whilst we were finishing up our drinks the owner came over and I couldn’t believe it “can you just move that menu so I can see that chalkboard…. (Mumbles as walking away) nearly 1745” then over the next 3 or so minutes she keeps returning to the table collecting one item at a time whilst checking her watch.

Even as we were leaving comments were being made and it was before 1740.

We will not be returning the owner/management has a disgusting attitude. Politeness costs nothing. I’d have rather have had an awful meal but hospitable service then what we had...

I’m Gluten Intolerant. I ensured that at every point I requested Gluten Free food even when the waiter served my meal.

The dip tasted and smelt of Vinegar. I’d already eaten some of the dip and then questioned again if this was Gluten Free. I was told it was.

Unfortunately 10 minutes after eating the dip I started to feel the tell tail signs of a reaction from eating Gluten Based Food. I asked again as they took the food away and complained that the dip smelt of vinegar and could they please check.

I was made to feel like I was just after a free meal.

Then to add insult to injury they called me up a few days later not to ask how was I feeling or was I ok but to say they had no evidence of cross contamination and that they where a small family business.

I’ve been suffering terrible stomach pains as well as all the usual - too graphic to post. I was asked was I sure it was from there! I’d not eaten since lunch and am confident nothing I’d had was contaminated. I’m so sensitive to Gluten now that I get a reaction as soon as I eat anything.

This has completely ruined my short week off work and will continue to reap effects for the next two weeks.

I’m not one to post negative reviews but after being phoned up and fobbed off and insinuated that I was lying made me feel so strongly that I needed to say something.

At no point did I ask for any refund I only requested that procedures where looked into and that ingredients where checked and if a mistake had been made that they stop this from happening to anyone else.

If this had been a Nut Allergy - it would have been more serious. I’m very thankful that o will be better in two weeks. My concern is that anyone with a serve allergy should seriously consider if this restaurant who can’t even accommodate a Gluten...