Cross Keys — Restaurant in England

Table for 11 people booked for 2pm.

After waiting 15 minutes at the bar to let them know we had arrived, I was finally told the fridge had packed in last night so they were running late. The manager told us it would be another 20 minutes to be seated and said he was sorry. The pub was packed with standing room only. Not ideal as we had a number of pensioners and a toddler. We  finally got seated at 3pm but were missing 2 chairs.

We were a little disappointed to find no crackers or decorations on the table seen as it was Christmas Day.

8 starters out of the 11 arrived and were finished before the other 3 had been served. When we enquired where the other 3 where, we were told we hadn't ordered them. (We had to pre order and pay in full 2 weeks prior)! After protesting, we had to show proof. Once proof was shown no apology was given. The other 3 starters arrived 10 minutes later at 3.21pm.

The squash, carrot & ginger soup ordered was served as broccoli & stilton with no explination or enquiries of allergies or preferences. When pulled up about it later I was told, quite matter of factly, with no apology, that they had run out.

The ham hock terrine was served with a slice of bread and butter, not the toasted sourdough that the menu stated

One member of our group had to leave after the starter as they are a carer, the wait was too long and they had an elderly person to check on. A second member of our group went to the garage next door and bought a bacon sandwich they were so hungry and not a main course in sight.

First main course was served to our table at 4.22pm. It was missing pigs in blankets and only had 2 sprouts and 2 small slivers of carrot. It was however real turkey and the gravy was nice. When asked about the missing pigs in blankets we were told they had been ruined overnight. Again no explanation or apology beforehand. Yet again we had to ask for 3 of our main meals as they never showed up with the first 8. 2 of these waited for meals were steak ordered medium rare, when they finally arrived both were well done and the chips were burnt. Those meals never got ate. We lost another member of our party at this point, they left hungry and very upset. 1

Desserts arrived 5.04pm (well some of them as again we had to ask for the rest). The Chocolate Fondant was served with custard not the Baileys and white chocolate sauce as stated. Additionally, there were no fresh raspberries as written on the menu. The crackers and cheese were missing both the chutney and grapes looking so bland and beige.

The coffee/tea and mince pies never arrived. The last 2 members of our group standing finally admitted defeat and left at 5.40pm.

Not once did the manager come to the table to explain anything, he left it to the very young servers whilst he raked money in at the bar from non food ordering customers and those of us that had such long waits. Other parties left the pub without any food, others between courses. Tempers were fraid and people's Christmas ruined. There were a lot of tears and raised voices. Never seen anything like it. It was...

Tail of two days...... First evening. (Monday)Couldn't be faulted. Happy lad behind the bar was a pleasure, Food was awesome. Drinks were flowing, great visit to a local pub and was so happy we returned the next evening...........

What a mistake!

Angry girl behind the bar (as pictured) should not be dealing with public. Obviously not a happy bunny in her job. Bullying the young 'apprentice'(food runner). [What ever the issue is there, it needs to be addressed sooner rather than later] food took an age, turning away many people for 'being too busy' too busy to fill the 'mixer syrups' too busy to get cordials out of stock. Angry girl' without a care in the world, more concerned with establishing dominance over 'young runner'

The atmosphere was toxic. People left without ordering food. Angry girl' refused to let 'young runner' leave when her parents arrived to pick her up.

Food order had multiple items incorrect. 'Rosemary fries' missing the Rosemary.

'Rosemary garlic Mayo' Missing the Rosemary, 'White BBQ sauce missing' Lemonade without the lemon (see above)

Couldn't get out of there quicker, the fact I had ordered via an 'app' ment, I was stuck waiting for an order that I really didn't want, Angry Girl' needs a new job and preferably away from the public!

[Poor 'Food Runner' is after a little experience and earning a small wage in the process. no-one should be treated like this in the younger years and shouldn't be bullied in their workplace. It was sad to witness and I/we were angry to witness this attitude and aggressive demeanor for the period of our visit]

Advice to the public.... Do not visit...

Even though I’ve only given a two star review I will start with the positives. The staff are friendly and I specifically want to give Kaz a five plus star review. She isn’t only friendly, professional and exceptionally good at her job but what impressed me the most was that she also remembered me from my last visit to the UK 15 months ago to the point she new what my order was, this speaks volumes in customer relations. I’m a big animal lover and love that the Cross Keys is fur baby friendly.

Onto the negatives. The last time I visited York we spent every single night in the Cross Keys not only based on the positives already mentioned but also because the atmosphere was buzzing with the live music nights and especially the Friday night Karaoke….. what a night to remember! It was probably the best part of my holiday. Sadly there is no longer live music or karaoke nights which has totally destroyed the atmosphere in the pub and the reduced number of patrons is significant. Hopefully management with take onboard what I’ve said and reinstate the...