The Horse & Jockey — Restaurant in England

Having never visited our new local due to lockdown and closure, disappointment is an understatement. Having stumbled into the play area, the kids were invited straight in with no conversation with an instant attempt to charge us for their entry. There was no hello or welcome, are you just here to play or are you looking for food? We explained to two members of staff that hadn't been before and were left stood there with no direction, no explanation just a blasé attitude leaving us feeling unwelcome.

Finally knowing the restaurant was next door and we could relax to order our meals. Not having to watch the clock before being asked to leave, as it was made very clear, "You only get an hour." We went next door and found a table with good lighting and space. The first member of staff we met who shrugged past us on our arrival then had the cheek to suggest we move to a table in a dark corner which had more seats (5 people, 4 eating). This came across rudely and with no manners. Nobody had directed us to a table or had greater us properly and made us feel like we couldn't choose to sit where we wanted. Whilst the place was pretty much unoccupied by other guests, knowing what I know now, I'm not surprised.

I ordered 3 children's meals and an adults meal, then waited 40minutes for them to arrive. The two 3 children's meals that arrived were then all well overcooked but the kids couldn't wait any longer. The chicken nuggets deel fried that long they were crispy and dry on the inside. The burger was cooked dry and had then been nuked to melt the cheese. Upon cutting it in half, the bun was dried through and the burger like rubber. My mixed grill arrived 5minutes later and that was a disaster as well. The steak was ordered medium/rare but arrived what can only be described as extremely well done. The gammon was crispy and dried out with the chicken being only just cooked.

I expressed my disappointment when the plates were collected and the children's deserts arrived. To my amazement I was told I should have left my meal and children in aid of telling someone. Whilst during our meal, the staff didn't come to ask if everything was OK but instead bumbled around doing not alot. However to make up for 2 children's meals half eaten as they were awful and my less than half eaten mixed grill, I could have a free alcoholic drink. Again a very blasé approach and with no care to whether we came back or not. Not a great experience but fortunately for the kids you can't get ice-cream wrong.

I would not recommend the Horse and Jockey to anyone. In reflection, it's dark, dirty and poorly maintained and I would suggest you steer clear of ordering food. Simply wasn't worth the £35 we spent and could have eaten at the local supermarket cafe for a ⅓ plus had...

The establishment is exceptionally clean and well presented and has wonderful parking facilities. The bar staff were super polite and exceptionally accommodating. The chef/food; Quite frankly, was embarrassing. I would not eat here again.

I ordered a steak. The menu describes it as being served with sizzling onions and seasoned chips.

Firstly the steak; I asked for well done. There was blood in the middle. I had no option but to return it. It came back chronically burned.

The chips were not seasoned. The portion was tiny and there were so many bad ones with huge black eyes in them that when I went through them to remove the bad ones there were only 17 chips left on my plate. As a chef myself, I would not have presented them with black eyes and bad potato clearly showing.

Next came the onions. First critique is that they were badly chopped. All different thicknesses and shapes. Again, no care in the presentation, but, also causing a problem in that they couldn't be evenly cooked.They arrived raw. Not a bit raw but completely raw. There wasn't even a slight colouring of brown on them. I politely pointed it out to the waitress who took them. Again, the second time, they were raw. I took the plate back a third time and said it says sizzling onions please will you ask the chef to cook them properly for me. I don't like raw onion. They came back so black and burned that they were inedible. Absolutely jet black! He had his heat too high and absolutely destroyed them.

My friend asked for a salad and specified no tomatoes. It came full of tomato. We picked out 7 pieces.

I genuinely think this chef is untrained or, lazy and doesn't want to put the time required in to cook things appropriately. It was immediately obvious that he has his heat too high and is cooking for quickness rather than quality and presentation.

It's a shame as it is a...

Been coming here on and off for years. Noticed it change hands many times and always thought it average at best. Went tonight with 3 kids and 2 adults. The place was empty so might have expected speedy and efficient service but wow, there's slow and sloppy, then there's the jockeys latest reincarnation. 1 person on bar, a couple of staff milling and chatting and as guy in a white shirt who was presumably in charge. To cut a long story short, the service was slow and poor, had to prompt staff for desserts, mash was dry, yorkies frozen, food just warm, manager placed red hot plates right in front of baby who grabbed plate. Kids eat for a pound is really poorly signposted and I fell for the meal deal scam meaning they paid £5 each. Staff were unsure which could be bought for £1. Sizzling pubs are another example of a franchise getting too big to look after the details. Just inefficient, impersonal, slow and all around disappointing. I've always had this place down as somewhere alright now and then, but I think I've just had my last visit. Won't be back and won't recommend. Wasn't asked once how my meal was. Then again, they saved themselves an earbashing. Noticed how only positive feedback warrants a response from management. Point proven, indifference towards low standards and disappointed guests who spend their hard earned money here. Oh, and if you insist on making capers go outside, get your lights in your smoking area fixed....