Theydon Oak Village Pub & Dining — Restaurant in Epping Forest

I felt the need to write a review about this pub as I feel people should be prepared before they dine here especially in a group. Honestly, for me it was by far one of the worst dining experiences I’ve encountered in terms of service and food. They had several staff on shift, but just couldn’t manage. The food took an hour to arrive, it was so disorganised and chaotic! As a large group, orders we’re taken per table, but food came out and was given to the wrong people, which was a mess as some people had almost finished their food before others got theirs. We had to remind the staff what we ordered and what we were waiting for. My starter also didn’t come and I asked 3 times within 30 mins while eating my mains and after I finished! Nobody came to advise if I would get my starter, so in the end after everyone had finished their meals I cancelled it, otherwise I’d probably still be waiting! Another table didn’t even get any food as they had forgotten to put their order through - I’m sure others will agree that this is a huge mistake for any pub or restaurant and it does happen, but on this occasion there was no damage control at all - I had to ask the staff member, who came out to advise us they had ran out of something; if they had forgotten the order which the young girl admitted that they had and was sorry. Perhaps a sincere smile from the manager and an apology to own up to their mistake would have made us feel a little appreciated but there was no chance as we got attitude from the manager as soon as we arrived, it seemed like they didn’t want the business! I can understand there would have been pressure on the kitchen, but not everybody ordered food from our party. To be fair we booked on the day and the pub wasn’t busy when we arrived, but if a pub can’t cope with the numbers then they shouldn't have accepted the booking. The price of food was high in comparison of the quality, which was poor. The food that was inedible was taken off the bill but they left the service charge on and no compensation was given for the disastrous experience. Thus, we asked for the service charge to be taken off, paid the bill and made a quick exit ! With some extensive staff training this place could be okay, but sadly for me this was unbelievably disappointing. I wouldn’t even go back if they offered a free meal. Good luck to anybody...

I wish I could give zero stars but I can’t. So please take this 1star for the lovely customers they had dining there.

A lady who acted/seemed to be the manager was extremely unprofessional. Every smile I received from her seemed forced and only lasted a split second. Stomping around us shouting who booked the tables, demanding a credit card upfront like we would do a runner, getting annoyed by us and giving us dirty looks when they got the order wrong. Completely forgetting to cook for one of our tables. Then having the cheek to add extra dishes we never ordered to the bill, which caused much stress to the group. Not something we were looking forward to right after morning of crying and grieving at a funeral. You could tell too as everyone one of us (group of 30+) was dressed in black.

The young waitresses were pleasant but food wasn’t great at all. You know that saying “anything will taste good when you are really hungry”? Well it’s was around 3pm my food order arrived at table and I’ve been up since 6am with no food and geez did they manage to prove that saying incorrect, I should have went to McDonald’s.

I didn’t expect the greatest of food as cooking for a large group isn’t easy but I didn’t expect the worst lamb shank I have ever tasted. The only thing that tasted good was the lettuce and peice of cucumber, put in to consideration that I hate vegetables. Dislike my dish I wanted to try others from the group, honestly most of the food was saved by sauces that came from a bottle, this pub needs to thank the ketchup and mayo.

I have no idea how this pub has 4+ when I’ve eaten in local 3 or less places with food 10x...

Bad service mainly from the manager. She was moody as soon as we got there. We booked a large group so she demanded a credit card off one of us. We asked if she could just do the bill for each table she said " no, if u book a group you have to pay as a group." There where five tables in total some sitting inside and outside. The food took an hour to come out, one table didn't even get there food at all and when questioned they said they didn't input the order. When they did in put it, they came back and said that most of what was ordered was sold out. Sold out at 2pm! There was an ordered that came to us that no one ordered so the manage just said " I'm leaving it here" did t even bother to check that they made a mistake. Not many of us liked the food here and do not order any fish. The salmon dish smelt and so did the skate dish my cousin ordered. My cousin complained that his skate dish smelt really bad and the manager said this fish smells like that cause was a female. As some of us was eating outside it started to rain and we wanted to go inside, the manger said "no your not." Everyother staff was fine excluding the manager. I don't know why she was like this towards is maybe because we was a big group or maybe because we wasn't white. We didn't see her interact with other customers like this. When u first walking into the pud is smelt ready bad so I opted to stay outside which was quick nice. When we asked for the bill there were dishes form the table that didn't even get food on it. Will not be returning here bad service...