The Squirrel — Restaurant in Rushmoor

Stay very far away from this place! It's been a while since I wanted to visit this place and I finally had a chance on the 16/5/22. Was looking forward to it but lost a bit of interest when I noticed it's the same chain as another local. Things were getting worse when I found conflicting informations online about dogs allowed or not (there's a picture on google saying dogs allowed in specific times). Tried to call and it was impossible to anyone to answer the phone. It was a sign and I ignored it. First impression wasn't good, staff member looked very tired and bored, few customers at the bar and a couple of tables with people. First thing I noticed was a massive TV in each room, impossible to avoid it. I had no idea I was walking into a sports bar. Went to the bar to order and been asked about table number, I mentioned I couldn't find it or maybe it was just me being blind. The lady stormed towards the table and although she didn't say anything the attitude was clearly "I'll show you". Guess what? No number at all, only an empty gap. When I finally could place my order I've been informed they ran out of burgers! A very basic frozen (probably) patty wasn't available and I was dying for it. Had to go back and reconsider. Choose something else (chicken and chorizo starter or something like that) and no, not available as well. I was regretting so much to have chosen that place but it was late and my wife and aunt were starving, had to carry on so ordered their food and sat down to what they eat. What supposed to be a very pleasant evening was a total fiasco. The staff seemed very inexperienced, not even to say sorry or try to make it up for all the inconvenience. Definitely first and...

First time we have been here, was impressed I was called by a member after I made the booking to double check my special request (be sat in front of tv for football!)

We came for Sunday Roast with our 1 year old daughter, who is a fussy eater. She doesn’t eat potato so we asked to swap her potato from her ‘meal deal’ to another veg, to be told no. I asked why and was told the chef was “picky”. This is unacceptable, especially for an industry who’s just spent another month in lockdown. It doesn’t exactly encourage new business.

The one thing the chef wasn’t picky about was using the microwave. Microwave mash, microwaved cauliflower cheese, microwaved veg, sausage in blankets. Didn’t even give us crackling with the Pork as detailed on the menu.

The young waitress was great and actually looked embarrassed to tell us about the chef. What was also embarrassing was when they served us double cauliflower cheese when we only ordered one but then said they had to take the extra one away if we weren’t going to pay for it. Haha ok, we didn’t order it so, give it back to the chef to microwave for his lunch tomorrow.

The one other thing I thought was a bit odd was price for a Peroni. £5.25. I’m use to paying that in London but not for your local down the road.

The pub itself is lovely. Nice xmas decor, nice to sit by the fire. Just let down by an uninspired, lazy, tight joke...

The pub was busy and I did expect that as its the Christmas period and I really liked the interior the pub, made me feel very cosy. The staffs were lovely and did inform us that there will be 30 - 45 minutes delay as they were busy. My starters were great but the main course was of a poor quality. I ordered the fish and chips and it was not made very well. Both the fish and the chips were not drained well from the oil as they were quite greasy on my plate and bits of oil residue were left of the plate too ( I know they are fried in oil but I would have expected them to pat or drain the oil a little before plating it up). The chips didn't have that crisp outer shell that I was expecting and was quite soggy. The fish's batter was not crispy and very thick like a mushed up bread and very soggy too. The fish wasn't seasoned as well as I had to add salt and pepper to it continuously. I was very hungry but I couldn't finish it as the batter was too thick and I felt like I was eating the oil doughy batter rather than the fish itself. For £13 worth of fish and chips, I was...