The Horns Inn, Slitting Mill — Restaurant in Cannock Chase

We visited The Horns Inn after a morning at Go Ape. As soon as we walked in not only was it freezing cold but we were grunted at by bar staff. My friend went up to get a menu and got told that staff would come to the table, upon giving the instruction, staff appeared rude. My friend returned to the table and we proceeded to wait for another 5-10 minutes and finally we were given another menu. After deciding what to eat, we went up to the bar to order as we had been waiting a while. Again, told to sit down. Staff seemed uninterested in serving and a young girl eventually came to the table to take our orders. This girl, unlike her colleagues was shy but polite. Two of the three meals ordered were incorrect; a vegetarian sausage and fried onion sandwich and a chicken with sage and onion stuffing sandwich. The food took 30 minutes to come out. Upon arrival, the BLT was fine, slightly overpriced, but fine. The chicken with stuffing sandwich came without stuffing and the vegetarian sausage sandwich came without onion. Otherwise the meals were sufficient, warm and tasty but still incorrect. After eating, we went to the bar to pay as we wanted to come away rather than wait another 10 minutes for the bill to come. Upon receiving the bill at the bar, we complained that the meals were incorrect, which was passed on from the bar to staff, to another member of staff who then explained to the (lady that I assume was a manager) that the meals were incorrect. The manager expressed no apology and appeared suspicious that we weren’t telling the truth asking ‘was it not’ after we explained to her that items were missing. She did not apologise nor explain that a discount would be granted to us. Without word or explanation, she placed the bill on the bar to which my friend queried it. The manager stated that she had ‘taken a pint off’ (a pint of lemonade and lime cordial) and walked away leaving a less senior member of staff to take for the food and drinks. I am unsatisfied with the discount we received, only £2.50 overall. But I am ultimately mostly dissatisfied with is the rudeness of the manager, and her overall attitude. We understand that food sometimes takes a while to come, and that things sometimes are missed or muddled up but what I do not understand is the rudeness, or lack of explanation and apology from the senior staff. It costs absolutely nothing for basic manners, which would have provided myself and my friend with an apology and explanation what actions were going to be taken regarding the mix up. Instead we were presented with an attitude and were made to feel as though we were in the wrong for complaining of what appeared to be false advertising. Would...

I really want to love this place as it is a lovely looking pub and in a great location, but..... Food is very hit and miss. It is not cheap either so should always be of good quality. 10 of us went there on Christmas Eve and had pre booked and they had put us in the small room which was lovely. However they had only set up for 8 for some reason. We all had starters with half of us having mussels in white wine sauce for starters. Everyone's came bar mine. The mussels were luke warm and without any bread to dip in the sauce. When asked where the bread was, we were told it only came with the mussels if ordered as a main course!! Never ever had mussels without some bread. I waited for quite some time for mine and ended up having to ask where it was. By the time it arrived everyone else had finished their's. To be fair, mine were very hot and delicious and was brought bread with it for it being late!! To make matters worse everyone had their main courses and I again had to ask where my steak was. I was asked if I had eaten it!!! Again by the time it turned up everyone else had finished theirs! Absolutely shocking! I NEVER complain but demanded to speak to the manager. For it to happen for the starter was bad and I would have expected them to ensure it didn't happen for the main course. He did refund part of the meal but this did not make up for the fact that I ate "alone" on Christmas Eve. I vowed never to return but went a couple of weeks ago as friends wanted to go there. The more senior member of staff on that night was so miserable it was unbelievable. Never once saw her smile or say anything welcoming to anyone coming into the bar. My wife's white wine was warm so I went to the bar to ask this lady for a couple of ice cubes for her wine. She told me the ice making machine had broken and there was no more ice!!!!! Are you having a laugh? No ice? I would have sent someone to town to buy some if the machine had broken!! My friend went to the bar 5 minutes later and returned with his wife's gin and tonic and yes.... There was ice in it!! I was so angry I wanted to confront the member of staff and tell her what I thought but was stopped by my wife. I am surprised that there are any customers returning if this is how you treat them. If you are the owner reading this..... Get some staff that are happy!!! I will not be returning until you do. Very sad to do this review but just wanted to be honest in the very poor service I have...

Fair experience and I will explain. Love the chips and pickled onion rings. The rarebit is also delicious- a large dish and couldn't eat it all so no complaint here for those dishes. The steak was very tough on this occasion and the sauce, their was a mix up, and told to buy another if I wanted the correct one. The manager cannot do enough for you; and Emma she is really friendly and will be good to run that pub. The other loud mouthed lady with the red hair, not so much. She will run the pub into the ground with her attitude towards customers. Maybe needs to work on her self awareness too- or go and work in a prison dishing food up. The other young bar staff, although less confident, they are friendly enough. The location of this pub is perfect, surrounded by nice walks. Having lived in the village for 30years it's nice to have this little pub, but could do with some staff not having so much of an attitude as it ruins the place.

Good luck on your new venture Dawn. I hear theyre not renewing your license. Hopefully they will get some more staff to take over this lovely pub so our lovely village doesn't lose it. Hello Dawn, In response to your reply. -The staff are part of the dining experience. -I partake in mystery diner, and bulk review the week. Hence many reviews done yesterday. -Concentrate on trying to run that pub and keeping it open, instead of running your mouth. You are a great manager, but your mouth lets it down. -when you get a bad review, take it on the chin instead of saying every single one is fake. From my experience in there, all the reviews you say are fake, really aren't. -So defensive of the food because your son is a chef at your pub.

Enjoy your holiday Dawn. Let's hope you get to keep that pub. That said, they've probably read the reviews and your responses, and decided maybe, you aren't the people to continue to run the pub.

Have a great day...