The Anglers Walton Thames — Restaurant in Elmbridge

Over priced medioke food which I know is what they serve in the regent opposite M,S in walton as its the same company that owns both and I was a regular there and constantly seen managers and staff pulling up outside to run into the kitchen at the regent to take food from the freezer for the anglers cause they ran out , the only difference being the price you pay for it I remember ordering a sausage and mash and gravey mountain once at the regent and it was 9 sausages a mountain of mash and a plant of onion grave I no that sounds ridiculous but its true came out hot did quite finish it all but walk away with a full belly and happy with it for 11 pounds drink not included, weeks later on a hot day my sister who lives in walton suggested we go to the anglers cause my three big brothers and mum came down and it was a hot day. We got there and sat inside as outside was packed told my brothers get the sausage and mash cause I new it was the same food as the regent new it wasn't going to be a massive portion like that but what turned up was a plate with a small sized bowl shape of mash turned upside down three little sausages poked in with a drizzle and I mean a drizzle of gravey on, it was cold and cost 14 pounds 🤔 and my family our from up north we like gravey ,and value for money, you can imagine my 3 older brothers discust when they looked at that then looked at me , I thought I was in for a few slaps when leaving ,, but took them to the regent before they left and showed them the difference and it more then made up for it quality, quantity and price 😊 so if your after beautiful views of the river on a sunny day and don't mind spending for over priced drinks and medioke well over priced food its the place to be , but if you want a cheaper day out go the regent and get a proper poirtion of the same food cheaper ,cheaper drinks and tvs on all the wall and little booths for the sports even ask them to turn a certain TV to watch what you want, Then go down to the Swan our the anglers to enjoy the lovely sunshine and views even nip into the little shop on the way down get a few cheap ones in and sit actually on the river till a space opens up in there busy gardens and just get drinks , my sister has lived down her for more then 20 yrs and gets on a bit well to do and doesn't mind paying over the odds weather it's good our not , I'm still able to see a rip of when I see one , I've heard they might be stopping food in the regent now cause other patterns from there our saying the same thing and they have the take away business k town running at the regent in there kitchen now which must make them more money as a company running both pubs, if that's the case it's a sad day for all the old lady's and men from the self contained flats and the home opposite wilkos near aldi and single parents and others who can't afford the prices of ( well to do establishments) cause were there based, they were there religious every weekend I was in and that was most early till close not so much now , but it gives them something different to do on the weekends a little treat they can afford if it wasnt for them the place would have struggled to survive after there licence was took away for late night discos and karaoke nights, rightful as it was mayhem but seems that's what there intending for the regent now as a company of the anglers and the regent , make the regent just a sports bar and music which works for sports with the tv isn't workin for the dj they have on 🤔 regular pass friday, saturday nights and now there's no one in with 4 bouncers on the door 😂 it used to have people lining up to get in when a used to be there which is when I'd leave sometimes 😊 as you had loads of young drunks spilling out on to walton high Street fueled with drink, and causing carnage and now they have there licence back there trying to do it again that won't happen the first sign of any confirmation of trouble leaving the regent will piss on this big companys parade and be shut down once again off the council I new of of...

This pub is absolutely atrocious. Not only have they given me food poisoning but they are also refusing to process a refund from 3 weeks ago for food that I (thankfully in hind sight) never received.

My experience 3 weeks ago: My friends ordered calamari and garlic bread to start and two burgers for their mains. The burgers came first with no cutlery, no condiments and nobody checked back. We had to pull someone over to tell them that the burgers were not as described on the menu. Their starters arrived 10 minutes after the main meals. Myself and my partner ordered an array of picky bits (sausages which were delicious, chicken strips which were freezing cold, uncooked garlic break and chips that never arrived). We sent the cold food back at 9.20pm. Shortly afterwards, someone appeared to tell us that the kitchen (which was advertised to close at 10pm) was now closed and that we would neither be fed nor reimbursed for the food we had already paid for. We were offered a round of drinks on an empty stomach to compensate and for the next 30 minutes we watched other diners receive their meals. After numerous requests, the assistant manager arrived to tell us that our food would be refunded but, that it had to go through head office and that I would need to email them regarding this. She did now know why, and was surprised to be told, that we had been told the kitchen was now closed and that we had received no food at all. I emailed through my complaint on 21st August 2021 and received an acknowledgement of my complaint shortly afterwards stating my email had been passed on to the general manager. I then heard nothing. When passing the Anglers a week later, I advised the assistant manager that I had not received any communication from them, nor had my refund been processed. She requested that I forward my original email back to them, which I did on 2nd September 2021.

I received a response from the general manager on 3rd September apologising and inviting myself and my partner for a meal for 2 consisting of 2x starters, 2x main courses and a bottle of wine. He advised at the time that it could take up to 20 days for the refund as head office have to approve this and that the reason for the length of time it was taking was because of Covid and staff out of the office at HQ.

On the 9th of September, I emailed the general manager to advise him that my refund had still not been processed. The following day, myself and my partner decided to take advantage of the offer the pub had made previously and also used this as an opportunity to follow up on the refund. Whilst this was a complimentary meal, I cannot believe how awful it was. We ordered chicken wings and falafel bites to start. They took 30 minutes to come. When they did arrive, our mains were brought over at the same time (2x steaks). We politely told the waiters that they were our main dishes and that we needed to eat our starters beforehand. The steaks were taken away. We ate our starters and a waiter came to remove the plates. As he did so, we requested a 15 minute break in between our starters and main courses. One minute later, the same steaks that had already been given to us re-appeared. Again, we politely told him that we were not ready for our mains just yet and asked that the food be made fresh instead of sitting on a hot plate when we were ready for them. A few minutes later, the very same steaks appeared again. The chips had been made fresh but the steaks were the same and had now been sitting on a hot plate in the kitchen for some time. We had no energy left. The steak was freezing cold and overcooked. They were chewy. The mushroom and tomato were soggy and bland. The onion rings were raw. We did not eat the meal and went home feeling very ill.

I emailed their head office on 11th September and then heard nothing till today, following an email to them again to request the refund and also advise them that I have had food poisoning all weekend.

I received an email today stating that I would not receive a refund. Avoid this place...

Managed to get a table outside without booking, whilst tables directly beside the water were reserved for those that had.

Used app to order food (Sunday roast) and drinks, otherwise order at bar. Drinks came very fast, food somewhat delayed. When asking what was happening (first time) was reminded that they were telling everyone there was a delay... of course the app didn't mention that! After nearly an hour, asked again and 5-10 minutes later food arrived. Due to delay, requested the option for "extra potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and gravy" straight away...it later transpired that was wise to do straight away. Original portion of potatoes a little disappointing, indeed food was barely warm. Likewise the "lashings of gravy" not in evidence at any time. By time nearly finished eating, the extra potatoes, Yorkshire and gravy arrived. Again missing the lashings of gravy (just a small jug, barely enough)... but the potatoes were so very hot. Whilst that very good it further put the main original meal down a notch as to what should have been. More and hotter gravy would have been nicer too and helped the extras as well as the main meal. Hopefully that a simple thing to consider/change.

Staff extremely pleasant and helpful. When it rained (covers cannot hold off all the water), the benches collected the rain and streamed towards me, got very wet... however a staff member noticed and without asking came out with paper towels to help a little... albeit at she said, temporary... and yes it happened again until the point of needing to go inside.

Just before that, tried to order a black coffee by the app, not possible. Whilst offering several types of milk options, there was not one for no milk. Ordered at bar. The cup came full, often people serving black coffee still leave space for milk! So a small thing but good.

Inside was very clean. Outside by now had paper towels under tables and whilst tables were being cleared and cleaned, those missed several times.

Lots of staff servicing outside, very good. Very polite and friendly, a relaxing environment and when inside noted that there were cupboards for board games and blankets. Toilets clean.

Other than the delay in food, eventually received just warm and inability to totally use the app, this was good and pleasant...in a very pretty setting too.

Do update the app. The two things above (current delay time and coffee), some desserts were updated as not available on the app, so this must be doable too, plus maybe put a price against your gin of the day promoted on it.

Whilst core things of just warm food, delay, could be a little cleaner and app things. I would have given this 4.5 due to the staff and that food pricing was fair. Drinks very reasonably priced too.

Will go again and hope the next time to be able to give a 5...it...