The Crooked Spoon — Restaurant in Staffordshire Moorlands

Went to Alton towers last month to stay over for our little one’s birthday. I have coeliac disease so called a head to find out where I could eat for the free breakfast that was included and then dinner the night before. I was advised to book a table here as they are best with it and for breakfast they are the only place that was not a buffet to avoid cross contamination. The evening I went and asked for gluten free yet everything on the allergies list had may contain gluten? So I went and spoke to the manager who stated this is correct and that all there meals have gluten in. The only safe meal for a coeliac they have isn’t even on the menu but it’s a mushroom risotto and is £15. So I had that as the only safe option available to me. How is this a great option for children who have coeliac disease?! And also when it came out it was 100% a microwave meal that had been given to me, it smaller than our children’s burgers, chips and beans. See photo my child picked his burger up annd just his chips annd beans anlone is bigger than my meal! And at £15 was a complete rip off. The manager was not at all bothered as that was all I could be offered and that was the price, she even took personal calls on her mobile whilst at the tills. We then found out the breakfast that was included was also a buffet, which I explained I can not eat from due to cross contamination. I was told we can give you some vegan sausages if you want, which I’m not even sure we’re gluten free so I went without breakfast. We realised we were not going to get any understand at the restaurant. We have since put in a complaint to Alton towers itself and there response was just as bad. How any restaurant, hotel or facility particularly one aimed at family’s not provided safe options for individuals to eat is beyond a joke. They have no training regarding this auto immune disease and the importance of providing gluten free options. I would avoid espically if you have children who have coeliac disease because they have no understand and it’s not worth the risk of having a poorly child because they refuse to educate and train...

Absolutely disgusting service received here. Asked to be seated with my family and all seemed ok until a word from (i guess) a manager to the staff member dealing with us. We where told that unfortunately they could not seat us as they are very busy and booked up. I asked if we could be seated a little later and he replied they will be pretty much booked up all night and by this stage i realised that there is something else going on here and asked if they were refusing to seat us at all that evening and again the reply was they are busy with bookings. Ok so i left but what i found really annoyong was the fact that i was staying in one of the lodges around the corner from the restaurant and happen to pass it at least 6 to 8 times that evening and each time there where so many tables vacant all evening, this made me feel very second class and humiliated. The only thing i could think of for the reason to be refused service there was the colour of my skin or my religion. Still i tried to give them the benefit of doubt as it might just be me over thinking the situation but later on without me making my feelings know or even discussing it with the Mrs she said pretty much the same thing to me as to what was going through my mind about the way the restaurant dealt with us. All i can say is what a bunch of racist bigots are running this restaurant and oh actually come to think about it if the staff feel comfortable behaving in such a way then this behaviour must be condoned by Alton Towers resort as a group. I have lots of special memories at Alton Towers Hotels especially with a sibling that has passed aeay and the recent experience has ruined it and will not want to visit...

Pretty grim experience. Waitress took our order. Ordered a starter of nachos with the veggie chilli on the side as it was to share and only I liked it. Nachos came without chilli, we asked where the chilli was. Nearly finished first lot and new one came with chilli on top, so we said ok but we just wanted the chilli on side but this is ok as long as we don't get charged for another nachos. Waiter said he's go have a word with chef, took nachos and came back 20 mins later with a tiny bowl with chilli in. This was left as we had nothing to eat it with. Then main course came. We asked for anything but potatoes with our daughters food as she is intolerant... it came out with chips! So back it went and came out again with a bowl of rice 20 minutes later. The same rice my husband had which he left as he said it tasted like it had been say under a heater all day. She also hated it. My quorn burger was very very dry and tasteless. Table next to us were asked if they were ready to order, they informed the waitress she had taken their order 20 minutes ago and she then rushed over and put their order in.... they still got their main before us. The manager did come and speak to us, discounted our meal and was very nice, this is why the meal for a 2 star and not a 1. However, it did not change the fact that our meal out at Alton towers was horrific and stressful, but much appreciate, but would just have preferred an enjoyable, stress free meal for the original price which...