The Corn Exchange - JD Wetherspoon — Restaurant in West Suffolk

I vowed after my last experience at a different Wetherspoons nearly two years ago with my wife and two friends we would never eat there again. But since we were in Bury St Edmunds with the same friends, and it was a busy day, they recommended it from their last visit a couple of years ago. First impressions at 2pm was quite empty but lots of crockery and glasses not cleared from tables and shelves, mmm! Very lovely building and premises so looked promising. The four of us decided to order, one nachos and one cod and chips for the ladies, two chargrilled chicken with coleslaw and chips for the men. Went to the bar, what did we find? No cod left for my wife so she went for ham, chips and egg, and three hot drinks. Whilst talking to the barman who took our order he let it slip that several staff had suddenly left the previous week and roles filled from other Weatherspoons. Now its starting to be not so good! After 20 minutes or so the food arrived. The food arrived with cutlery for three! The gravy requested for one chicken dish my friend was having was cold and he was the one without cutlery. I tried my chips, cold, the chicken cold and so was my friends. His cutlery never arrived even though he asked the waitress. Back to the same barman. Told him both the chicken dishes were cold, to take it away, not microwave it to warm it up and have two new hot chicken dishes and cutlery. Another 20 of waiting so it was bound to be hot. NO!!!! A waitress walked over and handed us a takeaway box containing the chicken, chips, coleslaw and gravy as requested. We disputed that, she said that was the message the barman gave her. Now, being incensed, grumpy and hungry I asked to see the manager. She was not very apologetic and also mentioned i asked it to be a takeaway. Yes to take it away and have a hot dish not reheat this one. Eventually just a refund for the two chicken dishes, but nothing for the hassle, time wasting and inept staff they employ. By this time it's well past 3pm, most bars stopped selling food but us two men went in Pizza Express which was clean, friendly, professional with food so HOT we had to be careful not to burn our mouth.

Wetherspoons is now on our banned list.

Pizza Express is recommended, not just pizza, it has pasta and other dishes...

It was reasonably busy when we arrived, with a good atmosphere, always a good sign. It was recommended to eat here due to the venue, and that didn't disappoint as the corn exchange is a lovely building.

Staff & facilities. The bar staff were friendly, unfortunately the same could not be said for the waiter, who shall we say, offered limited acknowledgement. The place was clean enough. There are plenty of toilets, unfortunately, several looked blocked, I think I looked in 5. Being on the first floor there's also a lift, but, doubt, 8 people could comfortably fit inside. But it has one.

Food & drink Unlimited coffee, always good. There appeared to be several groups of people sitting near the bar, just out for drinks too.

The menu is that of a Weather Spoons, with the puddings bordering on the American style, although most weren't available. The food was adequate. The person who ordered the steak wasn't asked how they wanted it cooked. The extra sides added to a meal randomly and not necessarily the right one. The food was nice enough. The halloumi was rubbery as it was slightly over cooked. The were chips limited. The side of scampi was the best in size and taste. That was yum. The deserts/puddings again ok, after choosing from the remaining options.

Yes, I would go there again for the atmosphere and building, it's also reasonably priced. But, would choose different menu options, and would definitely...

We visited yesterday, Friday 31/08/2018. The food brought to our table, was absolutely terrible, I had the fish n chips deal. The chips were cold and soggy, the fish had been over fried and was nearly black in places, once I had fought my way through the rock solid batter, the fish it self, was grey and just looked all. Over cooked beyond repair, even the tartar sauce and lemon slice provided, could not lift this so called fish out of the depths for a second time. Now my friend had a burger deal. Well if over cooked hard and dry cardboard is your ideal burger, then visit this wetherpoons. You will be quite happy. The childrens meal we had ordered was meant to be a cheese burger. Firstly the burger arrived at the table, with no bun. Omg. Was sent back to the kitchen, the food returned under 20 seconds later, with the burger between 2 buns. No cheese. Omg. This burger looked dry, and to have to watch a 5 year old struggling to chew the burger, was heartbreaking. He was determined to enjoy this burger on this rare treat for him having a eat out meal. The staff looked tired and ran down, but tried to smile and be cheery. We arrived at 4 pm and had left by 5pm. the eating area, was barely a third full. Wasn't much food ordering going on, so I have no idea, why the staff were faking it. If I could of rated...