Smokin’ Jack’s — Restaurant in England

We booked last minute through the website for a table at 6pm for our anniversary. We had an email within 45 mins explaining that they couldn’t do 6pm but could do 630pm so we excepted but explained our taxi was already booked and that we were in no rush as we were out for our anniversary. We arrived just before 6pm and was seated and great very quickly and professionally even though we arrived early and at the same time as a table of 8. We ordered food and drinks within 10 mins of being seated. It was unfortunate that the honey rolls weren’t ready so we could have them as complimentary to the table as per the menu but we understand the pub can get really busy and with all food being made on the premises these things happen. I could tell the “Deputy Sheriff” had been in hospitality game for a while as she was very good at making sure everything happened at the right time for instance the seated tables had complimentary nacho chips due to the honey rolls not being available but they came at around 20 mins after ordering which is the correct and sensible way to do things (don’t lay all your cards on the table too early) my wife had the Unicorn Burger which looked amazing, the colours and the glitter was impressive as was the taste. I had the Jack Daniels Burger which was amazing too so tasty and again looked really good the sweet potato wedges were great. We also asked for mozzarella sticks which again was really good. None of the food was greasy, under/over cooked or cold which for a busy undermanned pub that prepares and cooks everything on site was a great achievement. There are a couple of negative reviews on here that mention about poor service and the owners children which I feel after our experience twisted and cruel. If you have ever been in the hospitality industry like myself you would understand how that it doesn’t take much to start the snowball effect and rude customers don’t help, I mean even Claridges have their off days and as for the children being behind the bar so what it is nice to know that there are families within the industry that can still have some family life too (which I didn’t have hence why I am no longer in hospitality). Toni, what you and your husband along with your staff have achieved is really good and something that I feel will eventually be vital with the right moves you gave us a lovely evening and a place that we will definitely be back to visit again. And as for your son helping you during service you must be so proud and hopefully in a few years his dad will have a Sous Chef to take some of...

Ordered a ribeye and was told there was only sirloin, so ordered a sirloin. A couple of minutes later we were told there was no sirloin so I ordered a rack of ribs. The waitress then came back and said there was no rack of ribs either but there was a half rack so I ordered that.

The food then took 40 minutes and when it came it wasn't very good. My wife's burger wasn't left to settle so when she picked it up grease spilled all over her clothes.

The only reason I didn't give one star is that the waitress was very nice.

Edit to respond to reply:

For a restaurant to let us choose items from the menu and then tell us they are not available rather than letting us know before choosing, and then accept another order to then return and say you don't have that either, and accept another order, only to return and say you don't have that either is ridiculous. You can make all of the excuses you like but that should never happen in a professional establishment.

To then serve two people's meals half an hour before the other two so two children are finished eating and sat waiting getting restless long before our food had arrived is another thing no professional restaurant would ever do.

Yes taste is subjective, and you'll notice I didn't mention Pina coladas as if you don't sell them then you don't sell them. Many establishments don't, and the cocktail that was recommended was actually very nice.

But to be making a fourth choice from the extremely limited menu just before our children's food arrived, and to not get our food until half an hour after them, is something that you should expect a bad review for, as you did, and something that you should be able to take on the chin and look to make improvements around rather than trying to justify the...

Came in for a meal this evening (Wed 19th October) as we are on our honeymoon having gotten married on 18th.

The restaurant was warm and welcoming and had a lovely vibe from the moment we walked in. Between the decor and theming it really did feel like home straight away.

We ordered our food and after a short wait our food was served to us and OH MY! My wife ordered steak and I had a burger with loaded fries between us. The food was absolutely phenomenonal, the steak was tender and fell apart and the loaded fries were amazing, our food was generally delicious!

Having spoken more with the lovely lady that was serving us it transpired it was Toni the landlady, she is lovely and cannot have done any more for us

With my wife being pregnant she is struggling heavily with morning sickness and unable to eat anything without running the risk of throwing up so the steak being so delicious helped her have the first full meal in weeks.

Thank you Toni, superstar!

EDIT:

We went back for more! We were sat in our hotel and both said "smoking jacks?" At the same time so off we went, a little busier this time but we'll managed and it added to the vibe! Fopd was superb once again with Toni front of house running the show. We even got some morning sickness advoce which was such a relaxed conversation! Genuinely cannot...