The Horse & Jockey Pub Melling — Restaurant in Sefton

Where do I start? Went with my partner for a meal and drink, when we got in the restaurant there was another two couples in there, one was complaining to us about how long they had been waiting and the other couple was complaining that they had nearly finished their meals and the wife was still waiting for her chips. A waitress came over and said "they will just be a couple of minutes" the woman replied that she had "nearly finished her meal" to which the waitress replied "don't you want them then?". Then came our meals in drips and drabs after about 5 minutes my partner asked where was her chips, sweet potato fries and salsa was, these items came later. The food was mediocre, before we was ready to order pudding I wanted a cigarette, I walked up to the bar from table 2 and asked the a member of staff if I could go out the front for a ciggie, I said jokingly "I just didn't want anyone to think I'm doing a runner", "no that's fine" replied the staff member. I went outside for a cigarette and was approached by one of the couples who was telling us how good it used to be when a member of staff came running out telling me I wasn't allowed to leave the bar without paying, I replied that "I had asked if I could come out and I hadn't finished ordering food so I couldn't pay the bill yet. When I walked back in with my partner a large family who has just came in was all looking over, very embarrassing . We sat there for about 10 mins waiting to be asked if we wanted pudding when the other couple shouted for their bill, the waitress brought us our bill instead and we decided to leave, they had even charged for me for a drink I'd not had but I just couldn't be bothered as from now on I'll take my...

We invited our family to dine here and it was our first time too. From the adverts and reviews on fb we had high expectations but were left very disappointed and embarassed that we had recommended this place to the family. We were a group of ten and had booked ahead and when we arrived we were seated in an area that did not have 10 seating places and not enough cutlery. We raised this to the staff who initially said they wud get more cutlery but we could all squeeze in. We had to politely push the matter to be seated in a more suitable area to accommodate everyone. Starters began well but then the mains arrived at different times and one member was left without and we had to ask the staff on 2 occassions as to the whereabouts of their meal leaving them conscious of eating theirs while we had finished. We asked for the dessert menu and our orders were taken quickly only for us to wait 40 minutes for the food to arrive. My partner and i can only describe the food honestly as average and the level of service left a lot to be desired with only one waitress who could clearly witness our experience and was extremely apologetic throughout. The family were polite but we could see they hadnt truly enjoyed the experience and safe to say we have not recommended this place to other friends and family and we havnt returned despite more amazing...

Horrible experience on Saturday with the jumped up little owner/manager. Called in at dinner time on a boiling hot Saturday and was welcomed by a deserted beer garden which should have set alarm bells ringing really but we got settled and ordered away. Anyway a couple of hours later and at least £70 spent on cocktails (which were decent tbf) and multiple tips given to the young inexperienced staff, the owner comes bouncing over demanding to know who the parent of the little girl is who's drinking a bottle of ribena which they do not sell. Explained that it was my friends daughter who had just literally popped in for two mins on his way home from the swimming baths to speak to me for a second. "Well put it on your bag please we don't sell ribena and thats how we pay our wages" 😳😳😳 . Couldnt believe my ears!! Rest assured we drank up and left sharpish. We were advised to go the blue anchor down the road which was absolutely heaving, compared to the empty horse and jockey, and what great advice it was! Properly trained staff (not kids so you can get away with paying them minimum wage), a proper safe play area (compared to the bouncy castle in the horse and jockey with a big dirty pool of stagnant water in the middle of it 🤢) and most of all a lovely warm welcome from all the...