The Raby Arms — Restaurant in England

As we'd already had drinks earlier in week we thought we'd try the food. As we were 2 families on one table (a family of 3 and 2 friends all adults) we explained we were paying separately but as all on one table, eating together so all food to come at once. I'd ordered a soup of the day (2choices i chose Tomato) which in theory was a starter but I'd explained i wanted it as a main with everyone else's food. 10minutes later a harassed tall lad could be heard questioning the lad who served me as to which soup I'd asked for. Hmm great start. A minute or 2 later my soup arrived but nothing else. Soup was basically a tin of Heinz with a bit of black pepper on the top and 3thin slices of part baked supermarket baguettes. Lad said we ordered separately so would come separately, again expressed it was all to be together when he plonked down the other 2 meals for my family - by which time I'd finished the soup. Incidentally I'd ordered after my friends who still didn't have their meals , same time & table remember. Chips supposedly triple cooked - which could only have meant first by the frozen chip manufacturers, then lightly fried at premises then microwaved as were rubbery & luke warm at best. Order was for Soup/Scampi & chips/Parmo & chips/Hunters chicken & fries/pie of day & chips & extra bowl of chips Still no food for friends which finally rocked up some 40mins after ordering, by which time we had finished ours We noted 2 other parties arrived while we're were waiting on second meals to arrive and their food arrived very quickly 'was this because they were friends /staff of the pub I'm not sure but after spending roughly 80quid between us all we'd have enjoyed a Greg's sausage roll much more. Bitterly disappointed as to look at the pub is lovely, dog friendly and a decent selection of drinks. I don't even think I'd go back for just drinks as found they didn't care when we said the food was disappointing we were told "oh maybe next time will be better" My partner was talking to person on separate table who asked about the food and we told them our thoughts - this person said they were manager and he'd pass the info on, personally if I was a manager and had heard our thoughts I'd at least offer a pint...

On a short lunch break in Barnard Castle during the outward journey of a touring holiday, I popped into this former coaching inn on the busy main street for a bite to eat. The two girls behind the bar were welcoming and friendly. There were plenty of seating options: a cosy bar, two downstairs lounges, a nice upstairs restaurant, a few outside tables on the pavement, and a pleasant little beer garden. The tables and seats in the rear lounge were a bit too high for me, so I sat in the front lounge, which has a good view of the street. Comfy and homely, it has a TV, shelves with books, old photos on the walls, and a wood burner in a rustic stone fireplace. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, and dogs were made very welcome. There's an accessible downstairs toilet, and also one upstairs which was a bit cramped but very clean. The menu offered a choice of starters, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, burgers, grills, and traditional cooked lunches, and there was also a children's menu. I ordered a lasagne with salad and garlic bread, and a glass of Merlot. Did not have to wait too long for my meal, and the server was both friendly and attentive. The lasagne was piping hot, the salad was fresh with a tangy dressing, and the meal as a whole was tasty and filling. Good value for money at £16.75 including the wine. Would...

‘What have I done to deserve this?’ - Neil Tennant. My brother and I chose The Raby Arms because of its location and reviews to enjoy a New Years Day lunch. We’ve not seen each other for a few years, and while enjoying our beers, we looked forward to the ‘whale of a cod fillet’ we’d both ordered. We were politely informed our meals would take a little longer, but had no problem with that, until they arrived. I’ve seen bigger goldfish, and the paper on which the meals were served, stating, ‘Catch of the Day’, made us laugh. Our whale sized fillets were barely 10” long by 3” wide, accompanied by a small handful of chips and bowl of peas. We ate it since we were starving, but when mentioning the size of our meals to Andrea, we’re told there was nothing she could do, since we’d eaten the food. We had brought up the size of the fish to the waiter when he brought us our lunch, and he did have the grace to look embarrassed. Other customers, who’d seen our portions, mentioned that letting us off the cost of our 2 beers would’ve been nice. We agreed, but it wasn’t offered. This dish was £15 each! We left, disappointed with our start to...