The Drill Hall — Restaurant in Dover

I visited The Drill Hall back in June 2021 with my family – we chose to eat take-away and in common with most visits these days Google detected that we had been there and asked for a starred review. I felt our experience was ‘OK’ and so awarded three stars, and moved on. I did not add a worded report as I did not feel that what we had experienced was Exceptional or Excellent and neither did I feel that it was bad or in need of complaint. It was, OK.

Lo and behold I have this week received a reply from the owner of the business (see picture) – I was not expecting one – in which he/she implies that by leaving a three star review it made me feel better about myself! (How rude) and the implication is that more detail is required, OK ....

We had four take away Pizzas which were pre-ordered some hours earlier for a timed collection and in line with Covid protocols at the time we collected them from outside the premises in the street – one of our party though still had to go in and make payment.

We took our pizzas to The Quay and sat on a bench away from the premises to eat and I am bound to say that when we opened the boxes my first thought was one of disappointment. What was in the box looked presentable and tasted good but was a lot smaller and had less in the way of topping than I expected.

Having spent nigh on £50 for the four of us I certainly did not feel that these premises on this occasion gave good value for money.

Pizzas are renowned for being made with some of the cheapest base ingredients and, as on this occasion, being made to order would mean that there is little or no wastage. It is surprising therefore that there is such an apparent mark up.

The building is lovely to look at and I imagine costs a fair amount to rent but we only really stood outside it so did not really have the chance to take much of it in. I am sure that the staff are all friendly and hard working but our only real interaction was to take four boxes from one of them in the road.

Had I come away thinking that this was an excellent experience I would have perhaps given five stars, if I had come away thinking that it was really good I may have given four. I sought to give an honest appraisal of our experience – it was OK and so I gave three stars – it was not a bad review – it was OK.

It seems the owner expects every review to be highly rated, and I can understand this, but I am afraid that such highly rated reviews in my book have to be earned and on this occasion it wasn’t.

Being a local person I had hoped to come back, now that restrictions have been lifted and see if we get a better experience eating in, but clearly that is now unlikely to happen. It’s a shame as hospitality has taken a big hit this year and we should all be doing our utmost to support local businesses especially the small independents but it seems that the bigger chains have the edge when it comes to customer service and the mantra that 'the customer is always right'.

So, in answer to the proprietor of The Drill Hall – Did it make me feel better about myself? – No, it didn’t, but maybe...

Absolutely awful experience. Ordered 4 pizzas, drinks. No chips sold here for the kids , so Asked the waiter if he was OK we purchased them from the fish and chip shop, he responded "no problem". Returned shortly with the chips. The waiter asked would we like any sauces and we requested mayonaise. A few seconds later, overheard the pizza chef shouting aggressivly to his college that if we want mayo we should go buy it from the fish and chip shop. My mother approached the pizza counter to say I just need to correct you to say the mayo I just ordered was actually for the pizza not chips. He responded "go away I was talking to the staff and not to you". I then replied yes but you are discussing us to a staff member in a negative way, which Is very unprofessional and not factual. He continued that he was talking to his staff and not to us so go away. The female FOH did try to calm him down as he was becoming more and more irate, throwing kitchen items, pizza dough etc. He stormed out shouting, I'm not making you pizza now in a childish manner. The manager came out and said we are preventing him from working and go away. Which we felt was also inappropriate. We then knew that his behaviour was deemed acceptable by management and asked if we could settle the bill as our food was being thrown around we felt to upset be the situation to eat.. The waitress came over to apologise and processed our bill. I feel its important to share this experience as I also work in hospitality myself and I feel so so disappointed to have...

WOW. Had dinner here last night..28th Oct 2020. After the new normal bookings procedure (Covid stylee) and safety protocols on arrival. We were greeted by very friendly staff who showed us to our table, which were square garden type ratan outfits, but very comfortable. The whole concept is a bit way out eco style, with everything either recycled or free from...again no prob for us. Great range on beers, and huge selection of Gin. The whole area is about the size of a smallish warehouse, white walls, and the other seating is recycled scaffolding and benches. Main event, The Pizza's...massive selection with great ingredients to suit all tastes. All cooked in wood fired ovens. Really good kids size portions, and the adult sizes were perfect. We really recommend this place, having had a long chat with a staff member, she explained that it was opened by one guy 2 years ago have expanded from running a pizza van. All I can say is good luck to him...the whole evening food, staff, produce, and atmosphere were great 👍. Were not regular pizza eaters, and when we do its usually 'Z'..(you know the one) and this place knocks them out the park. Huge car park right outside, which is free after 5:30pm...(Take note rip off cities). If you love pizza...you gotta give this place a go, it really won't disappoint...just to explain..I'm old fussy, and have 2 young sons, and they loved it. Oh and the table call button, kept them amused, which alerts staff that you need something. 10/10. Places like this need...