The Big Lock — Restaurant in England

Went here for lunch at around 1pm on a Monday. The setting is superb and the pub itself is very nicely presented. Downstairs on the canal side is more of a cafe/snack bar type of arrangement with seating inside and out. The pub itself is up the stairs if you are coming from the canal side (but on the same level if you have arrived by car)

We arrived and the pub was moderately busy, we were seated quickly.

The food service was exactly as you would expect from somewhere that is actually COOKING the food. I have seen some reviews say the service took a long time, but it is only a long time if you are used to going to chain pubs where they are basically just warming food up. We waited probably around 20 minutes for our food which was perfectly acceptable.

The menu is not particularly extensive but has enough solid favourites on there that there should easily be something for everyone. I ordered a mixed grill (as I always use this to judge anywhere new that we eat at) and everything was cooked to perfection. My steak was rare, exactly as requested and was a nice cut. The chicken was properly cooked and good and moist inside, the gammon was one of the better cuts of gammon I've probably ever had - a nice thick cut, just the right amount of saltiness and very lean as far as gammon goes. The sausages, while small, were nothing short of exemplary! I always feel that if a pub or restaurant is cutting corners of trying to do things on the cheap, you will taste the savings in the sausages, but no such problem here, these were excellent. The chips likewise were superb, good and thick with a nice crunchy outer and fluffy inner, clearly quality potatoes were used as there were no eyes or green bits etc

My wife had the four bean chilli which was served with soured cream, nachos and white rice, I am not a big fan of these types of dish myself, but even I must concede that this chilli looked splendid, very obviously quality ingredients used and the fact that we both cleared our plates speaks for how good the food was overall.

We each had a helping of fresh brownie with vanilla ice cream for dessert which was absolutely delicious and the perfect way to round off the meal.

All in all I would say that The Big Lock delivers a great standard of home-cooked food at a reasonable price, it is certainly not as cheap as your local chain pub, but what you are getting for your money is MORE than worth it.

Highly...

Visited at lunch time on an unexpectedly hot September Sunday, we both opted for the Beef Sunday roast with cauliflower cheese side and weren't disappointed. A good portion size, very well prepared and presented. Lovely location by the canal. Surprised that it wasn't busier (we were quite early about 1215) as we looked in Middlewich and everything was shut. Shame we are only visiting the area or we would definitely be back.

We liked it so much on the outward leg of our canal holiday we returned on the way back, this time a Thursday evening, busier but still plenty of space. I had the classic burger - very nice with amazing chips, other half had the roast salmon special with roasted new potatoes, chorizo, broccoli, pea puree which looked amazing and she said tasted yum, a very nice triple chocolate brownie with ice cream, a latte with Tia Maria shot and a couple of drinks for about £55. Same great service, although sitting on the balcony meant ordering food and drinks at the bar..no biggie. Another very...

Perfect overnight stop for boaters, a few mooring rings just above lock 75. We had a recommendation from a local and were very pleased with the food, service and décor. The waitress informed us of Steak & Guinness pies that were also available in addition to the standard menu, which all four of us decided to have. Pies were handmade short crust pastry, full of flavoursome tender beef. Served alongside chunky fried chips, mushy peas (unfortunately tasted like canned) and thyme gravy. Pies were very big for us Southerners, but 3 of us just about managed them, 1 was beaten. Alas we still had to accommodate our sweet tooth with a desert. We had a honeycomb cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding and two bowls of ice cream. All of which was delicious and great to have real vanilla ice cream alongside both deserts. I was also very impressed with the modern interior, navy blue walls, half white tiled with black grouting, bronze fixtures and hanging plants from chandeliers. 100% recommended, check out photos on their...