The Leigh Arms — Restaurant in England

Interesting experience at the Leigh Arms. First visit and we were seated near the bar. The staff were very friendly, but all wore standard clothing so it was hard to tell who worked there, which became an issue later.

We ordered and after 30mins of not having our starter we were flagging someone down when it suddenly arrived (one starter was bread and the other fried chicken, so it seemed a long time to wait). As we had to pick our son up from an out of school activity and didn’t expect such a delay on the starter, we asked that they start to cook the mains straight away if possible. We thought that by the time we’d eaten the starters the mains would arrive. Instead, our two “pies” (one chicken and one beef) arrived two minutes later so we had hardly touched our starters. We said it was fine and asked them to put them on the table.

We then realised why it was so quick. The pies were not pies at all. I really despise when restaurants think it’s fine to use a puff pastry top and stick it over some meat, saying it’s a pie. This is what they have done. So it was basically sat in a slow cooker in the back and spooned out. That in itself is fine, but not when there’s no flavour. One thing we both said about the whole experience is that we didn’t think the chef knew what salt was, because nothing had any flavour. To make a bland steak and ale pie is quite impressive.

We then waited another fifteen minutes trying to get someone’s attention to get the bill and because everyone had their own clothes on, no aprons or anything, we found it hard to tell who was a member of staff.

All in a very mediocre experience and I am very easy to please in a restaurant or pub. I don’t think we will be rushing to go back...

Had seen this pub in passing but never been in before then on Tuesday 29 September we were down that way on a narrowboat so decided to give it a go. Sooo very glad we did. Staff were very happy and friendly and couldn't do enough for you. Ordered steak and ale pie and it was giant, steak melted in mouth, puff pastry crust and absolutely the best I've ever had. The caronavirus distancing was spot on and you were asked to wear a mask till you were taken to your table, then you could take it off but if you went to the toilet or when you left you put your mask back on. The tables were sanitised as soon as you left and the menu was destroyed and replaced with a fresh one. Lovely decor throughout. Don't just take my word for it, try it for yourself, you won't be disappointed. JUST BEEN AGAIN TODAY FOR THEIR STEAK AND ALE PIE. EVERYTHING STILL THE SAME AS BEFORE EXCEPT WE TRAVELLED THERE FROM WIDNES THIS TIME. LOVELY, PLEASANT STAFF, FOOD DELICIOUS AND AMPLE SERVINGS. WE'LL DONE TO EVERYONE. HOPE TO SEE...

Everything about the leigh arms is lovely. From the building itself, the decor, the views with the canal next to it, The drive to it, and the smell that hits you as soon as you walk through the doors. We pre booked, however, it was a Tuesday and pretty quiet, so we were sat straight away. Ordered the drinks, I had their new cider. (Highly recommended). I started with the prawn and crayfish cocktail with a cheesy garlic bread to share, my friend had the chicken skewer kebabs, and I had the steak burger for my mains. My starter was incredible, and the garlic bread was also lovely. But my friends chicken kebab, the chicken was a bit dry. But tasty. My main was the steak burger and chips. The chips and onion rings were gorgeous, BUT the burger was very bland with absolutely no flavour at all. Very disappointed in the burger only. My friend had the Thai style chicken, which he said was lovely. The service provided was fantastic by Meg and Alex, I will come again and try something else. I wasn't...