Bull & Bear — Restaurant in North Devon

Edit to update: Original review was about 6 months ago. We went back this week as I was informed the vegetarian burgers had been updated. I can confirm this is now much more like the old burger and the Mac ‘n’ Cheese is back up to the previous quality. I was really pleased to find this as I have missed this place so much since leaving the previous review! Will definitely be revisiting regularly again now. Recognised some of the excellent staff from when we used to visit before, but the newer members of staff were also excellent. I have also updated the stars to reflect this. Left the previous review below so that anyone else who might have had a bad experience can see they have listened to feedback and have improved massively again! Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️

Previous Review: Used to absolutely love this place, visiting pretty much weekly (sometimes twice weekly!) for the last 18 months or so and recommending it whenever possible, however it has massively gone downhill in recent months. The staff are always very welcoming with great service but the food quality has been steadily decreasing. I’m not sure if it has changed hands or something but after a couple of really disappointing visits, we have decided to stop going. The soya Bandwagon used to be the absolute best Vegetarian burger around (since Nando’s got rid of their soya burger), the pea protein burger wasn’t bad, but whatever they have replaced it with is vile and they don’t seem at all interested in any feedback on it (and staff have told me that I am not the only person who has fed this back). The last two times I’ve visited, it has been inedible. Last time, while we were waiting for our plates to be collected by the server, the person I was with commented that there was an awful smell. I had to point out that it was the burger pattie that I had left on my plate. The new burger tastes like burnt Weetabix mixed with water and smells unfortunately like cat poop and bleach. With my burger, I always order the Mac ‘n’ Cheese topping, which also seems to have changed. It now tastes as though the cheese has been omitted from the recipe. I am devastated as this was my absolute favourite comfort meal and I would take any opportunity to come to B&B for my favourite burger. Two pics added. In one, you can see the tasty, rich looking Mac ‘n’ cheese in the burger, in the other one the pale tasteless one. I know times are hard for businesses at the mo and that savings have to be made where possible, but I’d be happier paying a couple quid extra and having a decent quality burger than this. We really miss coming here and would love to start coming back if...

So. Came in on a monday lunch with my friend whilst they were on lunch break 1pm-2pm

So. I get wait times happen 100% and I'm not knocking them for it in any way but read below and when the punch line hits you'll see why its a 2 star. (Saved from a 1 by great other FOH staff).

Came in at 13:06. Immediately seated. Ordered 5 minutes later. Was not told there was a wait on food (normally 15-20 minutes)

35 minutes later at 13:45 the food shows up and my friend has to get a takeaway box and take her food to work with her as the portions are large and doesn't want to try and scoff it down in 10 minutes.

Again... we are fine with this... it happens...

When I went up to pay and gentleman with a beard and glasses asks "was everything all good?"

I just responded with "it was alright"

He asked "he asks why only alright?"

I responded with " the time on food"

His response was.... "this isn't wetherspoons, 20 minutes of fresh food is standard"

I responded "I waited 30-35 minutes, its fine it is what it is"

His response " no you didnt..."

My only thoughts right now are... WOW. You've got a customer who honestly didnt care to much about the time, didn't initiate a complaint or start with it... I was asked for feedback... and I gave it to be essentially told I'm lying?! If you don't want feedback don't ask for it.

To confirm this is the gentleman older looks mid 40s with glasses and a beard not any other FOH staff.

It's the first time I've never tipped in there. I've on and off gone in for years but today I am just dissapppointed in the level of customer service. The whole point of good customer service is ensure the customer comes back. When hospitality is struggling the most is this the way that patrons are now treated.

Will be a while to I come back if ever.

PS: The young male server and young female server were amazing as per usual, just let down by a...

First visit to Bull & Bear after a very long day at local market trading all day so needed a meal. Parking may be an issue so look to park if you’re going by car around the corner by the church hall. But of a faff to get there but worth it. Arrival greeting was cheery and nice and shown to a table for two which sort of stuck out a bit next to the way in and bar area. Strangely no paper menus and they rely on you being suitably literate and have a smartphone to know what to do scanning a QR code on a table mounted menu card to choose your desired eats. Not intuitive but does the job if you’re into tech. As usual drinks are prioritised at the start but with no real ale was a disappointment. 3 lagers and some fruit ciders on tap and strangely 2 Guinness bar heads being told Guinness would be in a can … no thanks. ! Settled for a chilled Peroni and a rose spritzer for the missus Burgers are clearly made either in house or locally with plenty of flavour. Served in a bun, with onions and cheese for my selection with a couple of damp limp with cheese “Nachos” which in a burger bun were neither nice nor crisp. Regular fries were already salted or slightly spiced with a nice crispness to the outside and hot Condiments were provided and were clean and well presented. Salt and pepper in old bottles was a little “different” though. A larger party taking over front of house in a separate room were a bit noisy but they were having a good time. Overall it beats a Burger King and by a country mile any Mc Donald’s rubbish. In this day and age I’d have expected chips included at the prices but it wasn’t the end...