Rose And Crown - JD Wetherspoon — Restaurant in Maldon

OK, now I'll proviso this with saying that I'm not in the habit of writing poor reviews of businesses. If you look at my other reviews, you'll see I'm normally very generous/fair. But our recent experience at the Rose and Crown in Maldon was so disappointing that I had to revise my score.

I'd say we visit this pub around once a month, normally late Sunday afternoon/early evening. We've always enjoyed it, very good value and the fussy kids really like it too. We arrived like normal at 5pm, seeing that it was busy for that slot compared to normal. The red flags should've been clear--lots of finished plates around, some tables with only one person eating, barely saw any waiting staff etc. We ordered food and drinks on the app. I was bummed that there was no chicken tikka masala once again, not unusual at this time but I was disappointed nonetheless. Instead I ordered the chicken, brie and chilli jam burger, my ordinary back up choice.

We waited an abnormally long time for the drinks to be brought to the table. And when we did, no mention of anything untoward. So we waited. And waited. After 50 minutes I went to the bar, thinking that perhaps put order was missed, to be told that there was an hour wait for food. The bar staff told me that there were still 4 tables ahead of us!

So we continued waiting. With two children age 3 and 8 who are luckily calm and handled the situation well. In the end we waited a staggering HOUR AND 20 MINUTES for our food to arrive. Plus I'd ordered my grocery delivery for between 7-8 and time was ticking away, we had to quickly scoff down the food to get home in time for it. We'd never, ever think it would take that long. And to put the cherry atop the pants-cake, my burger arrived and there was NO CHILLI JAM IN IT!! It was as dry as a bone and bland, bland, bland.

Look, we understand that perhaps they were hugely understaffed that day, maybe staff illness etc meant it wasn't normal service. But we didn't even get an apology for the wait. Nothing!! Politeless doesn't cost anything! That was the worst part. We understand that we ordered on the app so weren't pre warned of the wait but no one updated us, even when they bought drinks to the table.

We've been hugely put off ever visiting again, which is a real shame as we always...

Well myself and my partner came here specially to have brunch as weve not eaten all morning and it was around about 12:15 we arrived there, we went to the bar where we ordered 2 all day brunch, a coffee and a glass of wine and told them our table number was 13 , As i was getting the sauces there was no saly but only pepper, where i asked the bar staff but they said they had ran out of salt, i asked them to ask the kitchen if we can get some from there in reply they had ran out to. (SHOCKED) Then i asked for some hot sauce as i was waiting at the till i was told it would cost 70-80p a portion where i asked for 2 portion still standing at the till then after 5 minutes they said they had run out of that to, i asked for some tobasco they even ran out of that.(Shocked) Well as we sat down waiting for our food we was just surprised and as people poured in it was starting to get busy. Our food came out if you want to call it that, both plates the bacon was completely burnt, all you tasted was the burnt taste from the tray it was cooked on. The egg, bake beans and bacon plus the chips was all cold. The only best thing on our plates was the sausage. The chips you got about 12 dry chips which you would call a child's portion. If i had kids i would even think twice of giving then the chips either least alone the breakfast ,We noticed a large container if salt on someones table who had just left, it was a plastic container which appeared to be bought from Tesco, We asked the staff about it and we was told thats the only salt they had which was passed from table to table if anyone wanted some.Also when other people food came out it was completely different to what we had The only reason we came to Witherspoon is because of its reputation for its excellent food but this time no. All this sounds sad but its actually true also in the photo you can see the salt container which was the only one in...

Dire !!!! Poss the worst in the Spoons group I've experienced & I use them on a regular basis.

Visited on a Thursday evening 7pm. As per previous visit the bar staff were chaotic and totally un-organised.

On previous visits I thought it was one off's but it's clear management have non existent organisation ability.

Takes an age to be served:

Staff oblivious to awaiting customers, several tottering about rather than serving customers at bar No Curry available on a curry night at 7pm other than a vegetable one, then after choosing a different meal. Curries were back available. This was clearly a kitchen "slight of hand" cancelling orders as couldn't cope ! Then when another order later added (nacho's) we was told after paying & returning to table, they are not available! To then see 20min later another table being served with them. A guest ale not available then hey presto it was. Tables left un-cleared and not wiped over between customers.

Very busy with student types, some of whom were openly climbing on seats. Gents WC in a poor state with faulty noisy machinery (Aircon ?) shaking buildings structure, Basins - floor - bowls ! filthy. Vandalised fittings.

Obviously a Hub for the town's student type.

did not see any senior staff behind bar or attending to tables all night.

The worst Spoons I've been in & this was the third visit of 2022 & previous visits were similar in bad management.

Mr Martin please shake...