Cockermouth Brewers Fayre — Restaurant in England

Absolute car crash of an establishment.

Girl behind the bar was the only highlight; quick and efficient.

Self-serve drinks area was filthy, plenty of flies and detritus all over the floor and counters. Feral children pouring drinks out that they didn't fancy, ignored by staff.

Food arrived after about 30 minutes, wasn't busy at all, so when our order came I expected it to be hot. I was mistaken; lukewarm at best. To make matters worse my order was wrong. When queried the "waiter" dissolved on the spot into a quivering mess and declared it WAS the correct meal I'd ordered. I showed him the menu. He said he would "go check in the kitchen". Upon his return he stated that it was the correct meal but just had "extra mushrooms". The meal ordered had no mushrooms, a different sauce and was basically a totally different meal. Upon challenging this, I was offered a replacement meal. I declined as my wife's food was already cold and I wasn't prepared to wait another 30 minutes. I asked for a refund and I'd just eat what I could. The "manager" then came over to see what the problem was; I ran through the whole sorry affair again, food getting steadily colder as was the atmosphere. The "manager" was incredibly rude and abrupt, how dare I not enjoy this tepid meal I didn't order! I was told I couldn't have a refund, but I could have a free dessert. I accepted to further lessen the amount of time my food had to go cold, although by now it was almost glacial. The dissolving waiter managed to reform and come back and collect the plates and ask if everything was okay, as if he'd never seen us before. He was met with silence and a stare. With reddening face he recalled the previous encounter. We ordered the free dessert; two chocolate sundaes. We sat and waited. And waited some more. Here arrives our puddings; two chocolate brownies. I'd never used the term aghast before, but this would be the time to roll it out. On informing the waiter, he just picked them up and headed off; no apology, no acknowledging the mistake, just off he went. The table next to us, still awaiting their order were gobsmacked at the ineptitude. I have to say, by this point I was thoroughly amused. I briefly considered talking to the "manager" again, but suspected that she would be so mortally offended that I'd be delivered two meals I didn't order and refused to eat them, that she'd curse me and my family for 100 years. We proceeded to get up and leave. Perhaps someone else would be served the incorrect brownies (it looks the kind of place to reuse leftovers) and who knows if, when or where the sundaes ended up. Not I. I beg of you, if you ever hate yourself so much that you consider eating here, seek medical help, don't step over this unwelcoming, shambolic threshold of doom.

I only issue one star as I can't select...

Brewers Fayre presents a mixed bag of experiences that warrants a three-star rating. One of the significant drawbacks is the consistently cold temperature of the food. Unfortunately, this issue persists across various dishes, significantly impacting the overall enjoyment of the dining experience. Cold meals are a letdown, overshadowing potential positives and leaving diners with a less than satisfactory impression.

Adding to the challenges is the slow pace at which plates are cleared from the table. Efficient table clearing is a basic expectation in any dining establishment, and the delayed service in this aspect detracts from the overall ambiance. A prompt clearing of dishes contributes to a more pleasant dining environment, and the lag in this regard at Brewers Fayre is a noticeable shortcoming.

Despite an initial promise of speedy service, a notable hiccup occurred when the staff seemed to forget about our desserts. This lapse in attention to a crucial part of the meal is a significant flaw in the overall service. The anticipation built during the main course was deflated by this oversight, leaving a somewhat sour note at the end of the dining experience. Consistency in service is crucial, and this lapse was a noticeable deviation from the expected standard.

On a positive note, the pricing at Brewers Fayre is notably affordable. For those seeking budget-friendly dining options, the cost may be the redeeming factor. When considering the price, the overall value for money becomes more forgiving. However, it's essential to balance the cost with the quality of the dining experience. While a lower price point is appreciated, it should not come at the expense of fundamental aspects such as food temperature, timely service, and attention to detail.

In summary, Brewers Fayre provides a mixed experience that earns it a three-star rating that I think is "fayre" and balanced. The consistently cold food, slow plate clearing, and the dessert oversight detract significantly from what could have been an enjoyable dining experience. However, the affordability of the meals provides a silver lining, making it more forgivable for those on a tight budget. The three-star rating reflects a balance between reasonable pricing and notable service shortcomings. If Brewers Fayre can address the issues with food temperature and service consistency, it has the potential to enhance its standing in the competitive...

New Year’s Eve 2022 I thought it would be 2023 before the mains arrived…

As someone who used to eat at Brewers Fyer Cockermouth regularly I can say with certainty I won’t be coming back! “One of the worst meals I’ve ever had” is a quote unfortunately whispered by most at my table.

When we arrived the manager politely informed us that none of the festive menu was available. This was fine, as were the starters which arrived in good time.

Where we first encountered issues, was the 1 hour 45 minute wait between our starters and mains.

Then to add insult to injury, when our food eventually arrived half or dishes were missing extras which we paid for. (Extra burger £1.99/ extra bacon) We pointed this out only to be told that nothing could be done as they were sold out of burgers despite us having paid for them.

If this wasn’t bad enough our food was also cold, and I was unfortunate enough to have a hair on my plate. I considered mentioning this to the staff at the time but didn’t as they’d already informed me that they didn’t have any burgers and I just wanted to leave.

When it came to dessert they’d ran out 3 of the 6 dishes my table ordered which if by fate effected other half of my party not effected by the mains.

Starving from not having the main course I’d been anticipating since arriving over 2 hours ago, we arrived at the bar to order dessert. There we made eye contact with the manager who did nothing to acknowledge us, before she quickly disappeared into the kitchen leaving us waiting like lemons or over 10 minutes to order.

Despite it being New Years Eve I’d consider the restaurant quiet when we arrived, (which should have been a red flag) and dead by the time we left nearly 3 hours later.

(This is all on top of several negative experiences I’ve had previously e.g being given my main course over an hour after the rest of my table finished eating.)

Overall as someone who’s not been McDonald’s in years I’d rather have...