The Victoria Tavern — Restaurant in Epping Forest

I decided to visit the Victoria Tavern after learning it had been included in the Good Beer Guide - a 7 mile cycle ride on a warm Sunday early evening. On arrival the garden was packed - not too many in the bar - those that were were trying to get served.The Landlord was being assisted by an obviously inexperienced young barmaid who in the ten minutes I stood waiting managed to serve one customer two drinks.I watched the Landlord pulling pints - how on earth this pub is in the Good Beer Guide I do not know - it is not just the ale on offer,it has to be served correctly - I felt I could of been on the set of Coronation Street in the Rovers Return - and certainly I did not see one full pint served! After waiting patiently for the said ten minutes (as I saw Woodfordes Ale was on offer) it became my turn - I ordered my pint from the Landlord who turned away to serve I assume a regular at the end of the bar who had just walked in! Needless to say I left never to return. I made my way to the Gardners in York Hill - not quite as busy but I was served straight away - a good pint of Doombar.I then cycled on to the Foresters at Baldwins Hill, What a delight! - this was just as busy as the Victoria Tavern but the difference was they had four good bar staff on - not served straight away but a polite 'Will be with you next' was well received.The furniture was comfortable - a chair and table in the corner where I could read my papers out of the way and I had several pints of the glorious Timothy Taylor Landlord ale. So Victoria Tavern get your act together - you do not deserve to be in the Good Beer Guide if you cannot serve a pint correctly and you have inadequate bar staff - no excuses the other two pubs mentioned were by far the...

Much reduced menu, not the same as advertised on their website. Only one vegetarian option, which was the vegan burger, the rest contained fish or meat.

Sticky tables on arrival that hadn't been wiped from previous occupants.

Surly waitress who clearly didn't want to be there with her eye rolling.

Both burgers (@£14 each) came with burnt and blackened brioche buns, more eye rolling when we requested non-blackened brioche buns please.

Scampi (similarly priced) way overcooked and outer casing inedible (dark brown/black.)

New brioche buns came back untoasted - clearly too much trouble to toast them or chef is incapable of cooking anything without blackening it. This made burgers soggy along with the excess burger sauce inside.

Son spilled a drink, we apologised, waitress said she'd clear it up. She didn't so we continued the meal with half the table even more sticky.

Had got to the point where waitress' attitude and how she made us feel and general incompetence of chef to cook basics meant we felt meal was beyond repair, plus we didn't want to ruin a family meal any further.

Noone bothered to ask if our meal was satisfactory until after the bill was paid. When faults were raised nothing was done to recompense, instead a vacuous and insincere "Sorreeee".

Only three desserts on the menu, two of which are chocolate.

Poor food, poor customer service and food way overpriced.

Waste of £67, will not be returning and will...

I went with my husband and 3-year-old for lunch over the weekend. The atmosphere outside was pleasant, the food was okay, and the service was quick. However, the cleaning and maintenance are not up to scratch. I could comment more on the bathrooms or the indoor space, but our main issue was the entrance! At the end of our visit, my son tripped on the entrance step and there was broken glass! It got stuck onto his little hand, and nobody (staff or customers) offered us a hand or approached us for help. This is a serious matter because many families with small children and dogs visit the pub. Paying attention to this and, moreover, to the needs of your customers...