The Old Original Inn — Restaurant in Oldham

This was my second visit to your establishment, my first being 13 years ago with my late father-in-law. That visit left a lasting impression: the food was outstanding, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Unfortunately, this return visit fell far short of those standards.

We were greeted kindly by a staff member, but from there the experience quickly declined. The dining area felt outdated and neglected, the carpet was worn and sticky, the tables and chairs were tired, and the chairs in particular were extremely uncomfortable, offering no support and difficult to move on the carpet. My mother-in-law, though gracious, was clearly uncomfortable throughout.

Drinks arrived promptly, but the positive start was overshadowed by the poor quality that followed. The “free starter” with each steak sounded appealing, but the battered mushrooms were so over-coated in thick greasy batter they were heavy, sickly and unappetizing.

My daughter ordered the “Old Original Burger,” while the rest of us ordered steaks. For mains priced at £25–£35, we were shocked to see them served with nothing but potato wedges, no vegetables, no garnish, and in my case, the peppercorn sauce was also forgotten. When I requested vegetables, the server seemed confused and reluctant to provide them, although she did.

Adding to this, the vinegar bottle contained fruit flies, and service was inattentive. Empty glasses were ignored until we had to ask for attention. The food itself was disappointing: my daughter’s burger was so greasy she couldn’t finish it, my wife’s steak was nearly half gristle and fat, and my mother-in-law was too polite to complain, but it was clear she felt let down compared to her many previous visits with her husband.

What should have been a special family meal was marred by careless service, poor presentation, and low-quality food. At the prices charged, this is unacceptable.

I raised my concerns directly with the manager, but the response was dismissive. Later, when I went to settle the £125 bill, the staff member asked if everything was okay. I answered honestly that it was not, as I had already complained, but instead of any apology or acknowledgment, she simply processed the payment without further comment.

This experience reflected a clear lack of care from the team, leaving us deeply disappointed and to...

I recently had the pleasure to look after a couple of distinguished professors who were visiting from Canada. I wanted to take them to a nice old dining pub and chose the Old Original, as it was local and had good reviews. Indeed, the four of us who dined enjoyed our meals, despite the rather loud group on the adjacent table. Fortunately, they departed and we were left to carry on in peace. However, the entire evening was spoiled by what was to come. When desserts were delivered to the table, the waitress asked us if we would move as soon as we had finished. She said we could have our coffee (should we order one) in the bar area.

I appreciate this can happen in very busy restaurants, but in such cases guests are given fair warning and can book the table on those conditions. For this to happen with no notice is simply not acceptable, and for the request to be delivered by a waitress rather than the manager, is asking the waitress to be put in the firing line, should the customers decide to vent their anger. At the very least, I would expect a deduction from the bill, such as complimentary coffee, as well as an apology.

Inevitably, we left as soon as we had paid the bill, only to find no evidence of another party waiting to jump into our seats. In fact, the bar area was singularly devoid of customers, suggesting that food had stopped being served.

So, despite the good food and reasonable prices, I cannot possibly accept that level of service and therefore cannot recommend The Old Original. I am still smarting from the embarrassment of showing overseas guests an example of...

I recently visited The Old Original for a lovely Sunday meal, and I couldn't have been more pleased with the experience. My partner opted for the Sunday roast, and the roast beef was cooked to perfection — tender and full of flavor, without being pink. I went for the rag pudding with chips and mushy peas, and I must say, the peas were absolutely delicious! (as was the homemade chips and rag pudding).The gravy had a rich, meaty flavor that really enhanced the meal, not bland like some places can be. Plus, the portion sizes were generous, and everything was piping hot when served.

The service was excellent, with friendly and efficient staff making sure we had everything we needed. I chose from the fixed menu, and ended the meal with a lovely slice of chocolate fudge cake for dessert, which was a real treat! The prices were very reasonable for the quality of food and service we received.

The pub has a warm, inviting atmosphere, complete with a candle on the table, and the rural setting with its lovely views makes it a perfect place to unwind. While the car park is a little on the small side, street parking is available, so it’s not too much of an issue.

All in all, I would highly recommend this pub. The food, service, and overall experience were top-notch, and I can’t wait to...