The Hyde Dendy — Restaurant in England

I can't believe I have to write this review in 2024 but this experience was shocking I cannot just let it go So 5 of us went to watch the Euro games yesterday 3 English friend and 2 of us foreigners It was all good we eat we drink spend our money then between the two game before England game started I ordered a bottle of corona through the qr like before but this time I get in a paper cup. I told a waitress I would like it in a bottle but she said they not allowed to get out bottles anymore only papercup from now on. I wasn't happy because I only like beer from bottle I don't like it from a paper cup so I thought I'm not gonna drink more but rules are rules so what can you do. Then like 10 minutes later 2 of my English friend ordered 2 cider and they get it with a glass bottle just like before. I said thats weird even we joke about it no glass for foreigners. So I went inside I talked to one of the staff and she said yeah sorry about this but you can get a bottle just get in the queue I did and then when it was my turn other staff told me no.cannot have bottle not allowed. I went outside meantime my 2 English friend get cider again in bottle no problem for them. I said I can't believe this. So my other foreigner friend there is no way its real so he gonna go in. He did asked they said ok queued up then get refused. Exact same experience He came back empty handed when my English friends get it in a bottle again so I looked around I just saw a waitress passing us with a few bottle in her tray then I looked the table next to us and I see an English lady sitting down with a fresh bottle of corona in her hand. That was the time I realised no joke its for real,no bottle for foreigners only paper cup for us but English people can get bottle. That point i just stand up and left because it was clear I'm not gonna able to get a bottle of beer as a paying customer. Obviously I experienced different treatment as a foreigner but never in any establishment as a paying customer and never to this extent It was shocking and you can imagine how I felt after I left. So the place is nice food decent but if you a foreigner I don't recommend this place because you gonna get a different treatment then locals apparently. Which is kind...

Terrible, Dont waste your money, 2 stars is generous and only due to the two good points I mention below.

Ok so good points first. Staff are friendly and kids play area is great.

Bad points. It seems the entire restaurant is ran in the most corner cutting and money saving way possible. This is reflected most in the food.

Drinks We ordered 2 kids fruit shoot style drinks and 2 cokes, neither of which was a known brand. The coke was okay but like the tesco or aldi own brand, not quite spot on.

Food (worst bit) We ordered 1 pizza between my wife and kids (they were already quite full from ice cream earlier) and I ordered a southern fried chicken burger. The pizza was the same experience as the drinks. It just tasted like an approximation of the real thing. Just left you with a frown. The chicken burger was dreadful, if I was not starving I would've sent it back. The alleged southern fried exterior was nothing of the sort. Its was more like a badly battered piece of cod with absolutely NO southern fried taste. And even stranger this "batter" was one thin single layer, like some chicken had been put in a plastic bag and melted over it. The coleslaw was really nice but in a TINY plastic container (literally a tablespoon if that) and tasted a lot like tesco or coop finest. And the chips were perfect.

In retrospec, i can't believe I did not send it back but it took nearly 25 ish minutes to get here and I was starving and did not want to wait another 25 mins for something else. No follow up fro waitress on hiw the food was.

Last point that was really stupid. We were sat out the front as far away from the bar indoors as possible. Our food arrived with no cutlery and when i asked for some I was told (politely) to go back inside and get some from the bar. Ridiculous seeing as they will go inside to get you sauce.

The prices they charge put them in the leagues of chain restaurants that get it right and do it well. And this place fails badly....

My husband and I come to Devon year after year & always visit Hyde Dendy. We’ve always liked the atmosphere, the staff are friendly, the food & drink has always been good & reasonably priced…. This year we’ve found it’s not the same. The food came to us and only had minimal heat to it, for two meals & 2 cans of Coke we both feel £40.45 is ridiculously expensive. It wouldn’t be as bad if the food was worth it. My steak had loads of fat - so it was cut off because I couldn’t /can’t eat fat on any meat (I fed it our dog) the fried egg had been over cooked & the yolk was hard not runny. The pork my husband had was over cooked too. When it comes to food I’m weary about making a complaint or giving criticism, as I worry that something could then be done to the food (not necessarily at Hyde Dendy but in places in general). It was nice to bring our rescue dog with us (who we’ve only had 4 weeks) so it’s good Hyde Dendy allows dogs. We usually visit her multiple times during our week stay but this time that won’t be the case. Sorry guys, we’ve always loved it at Hyde Dendy, & the staff too - but somewhere, somehow things have slipped. If prices have been raised due to Covid & the loss over that period, then I’m sorry - I don’t agree with that. Better to keep things the way they were to keep customers coming back time & time again. If you do raise prices then please make it worth the extra. Sorry this isn’t our usual positive review but we both feel it needed to be said. As we feel you guys will be willing to make changes where needed if pointed out , as you seem that type of company. My one suggestion would be - when carrying food from the kitchen to the beer garden area, to maintain the heat of the food & to keep things more hygienic- I would recommend using a cover over the meals. Review...