The Chequers — Restaurant in London

Ok so this review is for the food alone. The front of shop people are really warm, inviting individuals and the selections of beer and alcohol are as good as you could expect from one of the best pubs in Walthamstow. There is a but though in the form of some of the worst food I've eaten to date. Firstly I should explain that it's been a long long time since I've sent food back. But yesterday I did. If you sell burgers they really should be like the conrenrstone of the pub. Given there are places like Collab who nail it every time you should be trying to create a better dining experience. Instead what I got was a dry burger, bacon that looked like it came from a pack of cheap cuts (also looked deep fried), a dry bun and some of the worst chips I've ever had. This with the extras of bacon and jalapenos the burger and fries came to £13.95. For a burger and fries at Collab it comes to £13.98. The difference though is like night and day. Suffice to say I sent mine back. The staff were courteous when I asked for a refund. My partner had the gnocchi which was £11. For that she got a bland tomato sauce with dried herbs and tinned olives and artichoke. The gnocchi was barely cooked. She didn't want to make a fuss so didn't send hers back. We left pretty soon after. Here's the thing we all work hard for our money, it doesn't grow on trees and if I'm honest I feel pretty let down by Chequers. They're Sunday dinners are sone of the best in the borough. When it comes to the rest I'll just go elsewhere. I'd say to the chef, learn to cook burgers properly. Theres an animal that's died so we can eat it. Be respectful of that meat and dont waste it by being sloppy. Lastly I was always taught 'you eat with your eyes'. If that had been the case last night I'd never eat again. The presentation was as awful as the food tasted. Bit of advice. Go see what the competition are doing in Walthamstow and learn from them because if you dont you are going to find yourself left behind and turn into the rubbish pub it was before it...

In this filthy pub (and I mean seriously grimy tables, grubby greasy floors that have rarely if ever been scrubbed), you will be drinking tepid beer that tastes of pipe cleaner (oh yes, they will squeeze the last drops out of every barrel!) in dirty glasses (with greasy finger marks!)...accompanied by sloppy inedible food smothered with rancid sauces, served on barely washed plates. The whole experience will be enhanced by the enthusiastic unwelcome of really unfriendly staff, who must have all attended grim school. (I didn’t see a single smile, not one!) - especially if you dare complaining, however politely. What more could you possibly need? I have to say that putting together the Neanderthal welcome, the poisonous catering and the slovenly cellar-keeping in such squalid surroundings takes some beating. I can’t believe this is the same place that, according to some reviews, once was a reasonably ok neighbourhood pub. How times have changed! I would give it minus...

Can I please make it clear that the one star is not aimed at the staff or the Chequers itself. The pub has been my local for a long time now and I'm proud to call the staff my friends. So you can imagine my shock to be informed that under new company rules the staff cannot serve family or friends ? effectively meaning I can no longer drink in the pub. I would suggest the person or persons who made this rule take a serious look at themselves and the point they are trying to make as they obviously do not understand what this place means to people, and indeed Walthamstow as a whole, there were more stupid rules in fact to stupid to put on this review. It looks like The Village Pub is about to get quite a lot of new customers. To the staff ( my friends ) keep up the good work. To the rule maker assuming you read the reviews happy to meet in person and discuss obviously in the village where I can actually get...