Fox & Badger — Restaurant in England

Abominable lunch and tantamount to inedible. I will try to keep this brief, We booked here for lunch on the Saturday, which I had been looking forward to based on some food that I had here a year or so ago in the evening. Which was of the standard of a very solid country pub. The lunch – We ordered – 2 x croquettes 1x Padron Peppers 2 x Burgers Small glass of white wine and a pint of beer. £75 “croquettes” Described as “ham & cheese croquettes” The croquettes were balls of mashed potato, mixed with cheese in a bowl, and deep-fried, £8.50 apiece +10% service charge x 2. Croquettes should be made with a Béchamel (as in Spain, the Netherlands (bitterballen), or in fact all over Europe. If I wanted deep-fried mashed potato, I would do that at home - or I wouldn’t! It turns my stomach. Who in their right mind fries balls of mashed potato expects their customers to pay for £8.50 ! And, moreover expect them to like that to like that ! We were stung for two ! Which we didn’t eat. £18.70 ! (deep fried mashed potatoes) Padron Peppers We also ordered some pad Padron Peppers - you wouldn’t think you go far wrong with this, considering they’re just fried in a pan. Wrong. They were cooked in cheap oil rather than good quality olive oil - which could taste. Burgers Only ordered on the basis of that the rest of the menu was so uninspiring (it rather looked like the “chef” was getting the stuff out the fridge and putting on a plate), you normally can’t go too wrong in that scenario ordering a burger! Both of our burgers were tantamount to inedible. They tasted like cheap mincemeat, which had been shaped into a burger patty shape, and fried within an inch of its life. The price - £16.50 +10% service charge. They were beyond terrible and served with oven chips. Extras-drinks In addition to this we had a small glass of white wine and 1 pint of beer.

Price- This came to £75 ! Comments This was the worst meal I’ve had since I can remember. I’m writing this a few days later as I’m still incredibly annoyed about it. I’m incredibly disappointed to write this review. I don’t make a habit of writing reviews. I felt so ripped off by the food that we were served, I will not be returning, at least anytime soon. Its doubly disappointing as it is a pub I had reasonable expectations of, not least because it’s at the centre of a place that I spend a lot of time. So so so...

Really gutted as was excited to try this pub after a 2 hour walk. The roast was appalling, I’ve genuinely never had such flavourless food. The gravy was pure coloured water, even bisto is better than this. The potatoes were rocks and no flavour or herbs, the vegetables came in a bowl and was like my granny serving me boiled slop from 30 years ago, no effort or taste. We were so hungry after a 2hr walk with our baby and had to wait 45mins for the food (which we were fine with) that we ate it, otherwise I’d have left and not paid after one bite. I genuinely don’t know how the food could be so tasteless. My husband eats everything and he was mortified we had to pay £25 per roast for it!!! I never season my food with salt and I used it 3 times as tasting salt was better than watery nothing. He also ordered cauliflower cheese as a side and the portion was for 2 and tiny and low and behold tasteless. Very shocked as there are clearly good reviews for this place but it’s shocking tasteless food (roast) especially for the price! Admittedly the pub is small but there was no baby changing station and we had to use a dining table around the corner to change my 1 1/2yr old. The pub is clearly popular and friendly nice staff and atmosphere so I’m gutted to leave this review but I feel for the price I had to...

Last night I had the best hamburger I have had in 20 years - with all the trimmings - it was perfect. My husband, who is a vegetarian, thought his Gnocchi was 'knock out good - and he is a Chef. The Fox and Badger is a great local pub. It even has a separate bar for locals to drink, which is so unusual these days, which was full of local people who clearly value this asset to the community. The atmosphere was amazing. Two weeks ago I took two elderly gentlemen to luncheon, which informed my decision to visit again, because they loved their fish & chips (both of them fishermen who know what 'fresh' means), as well as the proper old-fashioned pub atmosphere - with lovely flashes redolent of the history of this pub, which meant to much to them. The young and friendly staff could not have been more accommodating (moving us to a larger table near the huge fireplace), more attentive in their service, or kinder. The Fox & Badger is also great value. I wish I could give...