Bull & Dog — Restaurant in West Lancashire

Christening at the weekend for 27 people booked the whole room which was just short of £300 and asked to share with another party on the day, this was refused by other members in the party as we arrived after them due to leaving the church later than everyone else. No issues with drinks but when the food arrived on time at 1:30pm as requested there was 18 sausage rolls, 18 chicken goujons 2 bowls of chips but plenty of mixed sandwiches (White and Brown bread) there was some noise from our party expressing that they was near the back of the que and there was no Hot food left to be told by the staff others must have taken more than one item (we was down by 9 hot items each) and a mention of a bad review advising this. Staff then said if you leave a bad review we will not do anything to help the matter. My wife came over to me and explained what was going on which I went to the owners/managers to advise on this and apologised straight away if their staff felt threatened with any swearing that had taken place. I got one of the menus which states S on the end of each Hot item, therfore paying for more than 1 item per person even though we received 9 of these items each less at the start. They claim the menus are by Punch Taverns (emailed these too) and was also advised that on their daily menu the Gammon and Eggs only comes with 1 egg (the S should be removed if they know this) as we said a bad review will not be added they went to Aldi to get chicken goujons and nuggets, we recived them in 15 mins with another 2 bowls of chips as these are portioned by grams per person (5 chips each). The balance was paid in full prior to receiving the food so I didn't forget but had I to know of the issues we would be facing the remaing balance would have been discussed. As promised a bad review is not given but hope this could be looked into for other parties who book...

Bit of an odd place - barmaid more interested in chatting to friends/current customers than actually taking a drink order. Drinks reasonably priced, did not eat here due to needing to leave early. Lots of older men, clearly a “local pub only”, not welcoming for non locals, hills have eyes springs to mind

Had to leave early, the field where the outdoor seating is, where the children’s play area is, is covered in dog poo, all 4 of us are covered in it, it may not be the pubs fault, but it’s not hard to check the field before they open

Toilets are filthy and smell horrendous

Very disappointed. Will not be back, what a filthy place. Spend your money elsewhere, there’s plenty of better places in Burscough

Edited to add: Thanks so much for your reply. This review, is genuine feedback. Like I said in the review, the dog mess is perhaps not the pubs fault, but is it that difficult to walk outside and give a once over before opening? I also did not see any signs - so definitely not “clear signage”, although I agree the issue is irresponsible dog owners, but surely does not change the issue of the pubs land the pub’s responsibility to maintain a clean environment for people/families/children to eat and drink outside without the health and safety risk of dog excrement everywhere

The “older clientele” was far more than average or expected, it was uncomfortable and clearly a pub for locals. What a patronising reply regarding loneliness, I have nothing against older guests, playing on heart strings does not detract from the facts of, it was an awkward environment to walk into

In regard to welcoming, I’d suggest a word with your front of house. The toilets are vile. In need of a refurb and a decent clean. I am sorry you do not appreciate this review - hopefully this will help you to improve your hygiene...

Firstly, the young girls serving were lovely - polite, attentive and helpful. Ordered three meat Sunday lunches (pork, chicken and beef) Imagine our surprises when the chicken turns out to be a chicken THIGH each. Slice of beef was tender and delicious. Slice of pork was chewy. Chicken - absolutely dumbfounded why anyone would consider a thigh part of a three meat roast? Vegetables and potatoes were a little insipid but perfectly edible. The yorkie was bought in and the huge (what appeared to be) dried out Aunt Bessie stuffing ball was actually quite off putting and best ignored. A huge jug was of gravy was brought.

Overall the food was passable, but not what I’d expect of a Sunday lunch - a three meat roast everywhere else consists of sliced meats and chicken is ALWAYS breast meat.

We had literally no sooner finished our last mouthful when the older lady (assumed manager as was telling the young girls what to do) stood over us and asked “finished” “Yes thanks” “Girls clear the table” We tried to continue to chat She hovered…. “Dessert?” She asked “No thanks” - we had recently ordered more drinks and wanted to chat She then proceeded to move tables, including the one alongside us into a long table. No issues we again tried to chat. “Anything else?” She asked Again we declined - she kept hovering and were made to feel like hurry up and go despite both having large drinks left.

Rude! We possibly would have had desserts but for this ladies aggressive hovering nature. When we eat we chat, it’s a social event. I don’t expect to put my cutlery down and be expected to drink up and leave.

Some lessons in customer care needed by management (not by the two lovely young girls who...