Hunters Lodge — Restaurant in Wales

Update August 2023: Review downgraded from 3* to 1*. Original review is below. Since then had a meal where my Son's sausage and mash was so awful that I can't believe it was served: microwaved rubbish. Even the gravy was microwaved, and had congealed into a sludge. So unfortunately that was the last straw and we won't be back.

Original review: We've been coming to the Hunters Lodge for decades. It has always been a bit of a budget meal kind of place - the sort of outing you do mainly for catchup with friends/family or an easy bite to eat but not the sort of place you'd choose for a nice high quality meal. But with that in mind it generally ticks the box.

However, you do need to choose your meals quite carefully. Because many of the meals are literally just pre-prepared microwaved dishes. Pie and mash, for example, will be served as a soggy warmed up pie and a dolop of warmed up mash, also with some hard peas that failed to survive the microwave. So I would avoid these kinds of dishes. But other dishes, such as lasagne, do warm up quite well so even though it is still microwaved food you could easily have done yourself at home, it does at least taste quite nice and you won't feel like eating it is a chore.

But the best thing to do if coming here is to get one of the grilled items off the menu (steak etc). Because these do need to be cooked somewhat on demand, so you won't get served something warmed up in the microwave.

So if I was rating Hunters Lodge based on the grilled items I might give a 4*, with that being based mostly on value for money. It won't be anywhere near the best steak meal you've ever had, but it will be an acceptable meal at a good price. But if rating based on the dishes I said to avoid, I'd give Hunters a 2* because these are really low quality meals that are not worth paying any money for in my opinion.

Hence my actual rating of 3* is in the...

Honestly just appauled with management and the way they handled a serious issue. We raised the issue with John (assistant manager) that rather than giving us BBQ sauce as a dip they instead without warning gave us the Carolina Reaper Hot sauce. My friend thinking (as she ordered BBQ and they agreed we ordered BBQ dip) had a huge amount on her chip before she quickly scrambled for her drink and almost downed her drink in one gulp with how hot it was! She had tears with how hot the sauce was, the response from the server oh they must of mixed it up by mistake. Complained to John and he said its "oh well its only hot sauce", and it was an easy mistake as the sauce bottles look similar.

Mistakes happen, we can all make them, but the utter lack of concern, utter lack of any effort to try and communicate how it wont happen again, instead he just showed no care at all, even when I tried to emphasise how dangerous that can be I said if hes not going to do anything then I'll be reporting the issue, which I am doing straight after this review! His attitude well he refunded the steak so thats all he needed to do. Its not the money I had issues with, my concern is you doing this again to some one with allergies, spice sensitivities...

Update Aug 23 Another great lunch. Good food served hot within short time of ordering. Friendly staff still good prices.

Update Jan 23 Popped in for lunch. Not too busy but ticking over. Had mixed grill great VFM. Wife had all day Breakfast also VFM. Great staff, nice ambiance.

Update Dec 2022. Had a Xmas do with the volunteer rangers. Great Xmas menu, loads to eat, lots of great service from the staff. Really good prices. The recent refurbishment has made it a lovely place to eat and drink.

March 2019, called in for a quick bite before a road trip. Extensive cheap menu and pleasantly surprised by dishes. Choose the all day breakfast and it arrived within 15 minutes of ordering. All very hot and looked freshly cooked. It wasn't busy but it wasn't quiet either so amazed at how fast we were served. Food was good and tasty even the toast was hot. Will definitely use it again for a quick bite. The lounge side was cosy, tidy and pleasant. Staff friendly and accommodating. The Bar side is a bit open and airy but probably OK for families as some of the...