Ye Old Elm Tree — Restaurant in England

Surly Staff, No Food

I don’t normally write reviews, but I write this to warn anybody expecting to be fed and treated with courtesy at Ye Old Elm Tree. Their Facebook page shows photographs of food and all Google reviews state that Ye Old Elm Tree serves great food. After ordering our drinks we asked about the menu and were bluntly told there was ‘No food.’ No apology or explanation was offered. When we asked for an explanation the staff mumbled and shrugged. A staff member then added that there hadn't been food for ages - as if we were stupid not knowing that.

We took our drinks and later I used the toilet. A urinal was overflowing. On leaving the pub I told the staff about the urinal. The response was ‘What?’ I repeated, and the staff member immediately turned away and began a conversation with her colleague. No, ‘Oh thanks for letting us know.’

The staff at Ye Old Elm Tree generally appeared incapable of smiling and any warmth in dealing...

Walked in at 19:14, got drinks and menus, and then told us we had 5 minutes to order if we wanted food.

The creamy mushrooms were watery and luke warm. Hallumi bites were OK, and the chicken wings were good.

Mains The rib eye was more medium rare than medium well, no steak knife, but it wasn't needed. Tomatoes were raw but had a black middle as if they had cooked it. Chicken burger was solid. I could have used a hacksaw to find the dried chicken inside. The chicken curry was bland and watery.

Poor choice of non alcoholic beers.

Monday night is folk night, and the calming music calmed the savage breast after that burger.

I don't like leaving reviews that are not glowing, it is a good pub that could be great with a bit of attention to detail in the...

Genuinely friendly local pub near the centre of Durham. Popped in as strangers for first time and were met with friendly chat from the barman and older gentlemen regulars gathered there at lunchtime. They recommended i ask for a taster before selecting my drink. I went for a York Chocolate Stout. Good range of interesting bears. Paninis at luchtime. Sunday lunch carvery was recommended by the staff. Will come back to try. My wife and i enjoyed a relaxing hour there before continuing our day in and...