The Ketton Ox — Restaurant in England

We visited The Ketton Ox on a recent day out to Yarm. We decided to try it because we had a dog with us and they accepted dogs which was great news for us.

On first impressions it was a cosy pub with an ample amount of tables and areas to eat. We got there about 1.30 on a Tuesday, so the main area we were in it wasn't very busy.

The menu offered a good choice of food, all the usual suspects, fish & chips, steak, lasagne etc...we ordered fish & chips, steak, chips and side of onion rings and scampi and chips.

There was no fish, my friend was a bit disappointed but it happens sometimes so he ordered a pizza instead. For three meals and three pints of diet coke it was nearly £40 bit pricey but if the food tastes good it would be worth it.

Unfortunately the food was less than average, the steak I ordered and asked to be cooked 'medium' was practically raw and very chewy I ended up leaving most of it, the chips were bland oven chips, the only thing worth talking about was the lovely onion rings. My friend's meals were also only average, neither were impressed with their food, the pizza was very thin and not much taste to it.

To pay the money we did we were expecting a lot more than we got it was disappointingly average. However the staff were friendly and the meal...

Staff were wonderful, helpful and friendly unfortunately the experience stops there! The half cider my gran ordered was warm. The first thing I ordered they didn't have (topped soul bowl) so I ordered the Buffalo blue pizza with mushrooms. After 5 mins I was told there's no mushrooms, ok fine, no problems. Then 5 mins after that I'm told there's no blue cheese (it's a blue cheese pizza)! So after some deliberation I go to order a couple of starters for my mains. I order the prawn and calamari duo, you guessed it, no prawns! So.... with the lack of choice I get the nice and spicy pizza. My gran gets scampi and sweet potato fries for extra £1. The food turns up my pizza is warm at best n lacking a little cheese. My grans scampi was hard and over cooked and came with normal fries, when asked the waiter went away to return to tell us that..... Yup...... There's no sweet potato fries! But did replaced the scampi for fresh, which was a lot better.

In summery the food quality was poor, but service...

The rain spattered on my windscreen this afternoon as I awkwardly clambered out of my car, making my way toward Yarm’s prized Ketton Ox. I had brought with myself a feeling of great excitement and whimsy, as one of my fondest Sunday pass-times is to explore and dine at the very best of Teesside’s restaurants. This Sunday was no exception. I was served by a bartender named TJ, a young lady whose smile was reminiscent of the morning rays of springtime, brightening my day- no, my year to no end. Her eyes were a sea of breathtaking brown and I was merely the captain of a passing ship, tipping my hat to its rippling beauty. Aanya pulled a decent pint too. My food was a feast fit for kings, the beer was cold and crisp- taking me back to the first summer of my adulthood, care-freely plunging into the local beck as the sun beat down on me. Those were simpler times. Thank you, Ketton Ox, for reminding this old-timer there truly is something to live for...