The Buck Inn — Restaurant in Wales

Disappointed with the Carvery, and felt too rushed. I have never in my life seen such awful roast potatoes, it looked like they were made from new potatoes and were stale, I only had one because I couldn't find one that looked appealing but wanted to try one, only to find that when I cut into it it was all shrivelled up inside, the so called stuffing was just crumbs, the roast parsnips were cut so thin it was like having parsnip chips, the cabbage was sitting in water not even shredded just large leaves. the carrots were crunchy but some people like them like that. Mash potato was lovely though as was the swede. The whole experience was very rushed, I arrived around 7.50, I wasn't asked whether I wanted the carvery or provided with a menu we had to ask for the menu, after a brief discussion amongst ourselves we decided to have the carvery, no sooner had we sat down and taken 2 mouthfuls of food, the lady on duty came over and asked if we wanted anything else from the carvery as they were taking it off, so if we wanted more veg where were we supposed to put it? she did bring over a dish of parsnip chips for my friend though. our plates were then cleared promptly and we were asked if we wanted dessert, we said we would like to wait but menus were put on the table by the waiter serving us and within a couple of minutes the lady was over to take our order. 2 of the party would have had dessert if they had been given the chance to let their dinner settle but they chose not too, the ice cream served was a cheap gritty kind of ice cream. We decided that it was obvious that they wanted to close the restaurant so we asked if they wanted us to go into the bar, we were told we didn't have to but by this stage we felt so uncomfortable that we paid and moved to the bar. I am not saying that the staff weren't nice because they were but we meet every month for a relaxing meal and a chat and I can honestly say that this was not a pleasurable experience and I would not return or recommend to...

If you're searching for a delightful dining experience in Pontlliw, The Buck Inn is a must-visit. This family-run pub seamlessly blends traditional British comfort food with vibrant Caribbean flavours, offering a menu that caters to a wide array of tastes.

The starters set the tone with options like creamy garlic mushrooms served with warm bread rolls, and jerk pork bites accompanied by a tangy jerk BBQ sauce. For those seeking a lighter beginning, the salt & pepper prawns with sweet chilli sauce are a refreshing choice.

Main courses showcase the pub's versatility. Classic dishes such as beer-battered fish & chips and Cumberland sausage & mash with rich onion gravy are executed to perfection. For a taste of the Caribbean, the jerk chicken strips and chicken & balti offer a flavourful journey, with the latter featuring boneless chicken in a tangy tomato sauce infused with onions, garlic, and peppers, customisable to your preferred spice level.

Grill enthusiasts will appreciate offerings like the 10oz sirloin steak, cooked to your liking, and the BBQ ribs served with a fresh salad. Vegetarians aren't left out, with options like the halloumi salad, featuring grilled halloumi on a bed of fresh salad leaves, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, grated carrots, and onions, all dressed in the house dressing.

The Buck Inn's commitment to quality and variety makes it a standout choice for both locals and visitors. Whether you're in the mood for hearty pub classics or adventurous Caribbean dishes, this establishment delivers with warmth...

We went for Sunday Dinner and frankly, it wasn't good. The veg was bland, overcooked, and absolutely soaking wet, as in literally leaving puddles on the plate. The meat was neither tasty nor cooked well. We were 9 for dinner and we were all quite disappointed. The reviews are generally so good here we thought we'd give it another try. Much of the same occured.

Then we thought we'd try out the bar menu instead a few months later. The Sunday lunch could be an off day, or maybe it's just not the strong point of this restaurant. The good reviews must be based on...something...right?

We ordered some burgers, a gammon, some loaded fries and a garlic bread. The chips alone would be enough to prevent me ever returning. They were noticeably poor quality. The cheese did not redeem them as the cheese had melted and then cooled and reformed into a singular lump. You could almost cut through it like a loaf. Those and the garlic bread were abandoned as no one on the table wanted them. Even the people who would normally snack on cardboard if they were hungry enough.

The gammon was tiny, blackened and shrivelled. I like it on the well done side myself but this was too done. Far too done. Contrastingly, the pinapple was almost raw. The plate was also mostly peas, which was frankly a relief as it minimised the room for the awful chips. The burgers were the best bit and they were eaten without comment or complaint. That however is not enough to convince me to spend...