Union Jack Pub & Restaurant — Restaurant in Winchester

There was something nostalgic about this place after so many years. I can see how I have matured after 10 years. Wow?! I can't believe it's been that long since I had been there. I was in town to surprise a friend and support his retirement and met up with another friend and the only place I could think of was one of my old hang out spots from when I was in grad school at Shenandoah University.

Moreover, I was excited to enjoy dinner with someone I knew. Anyway, my friend met up with me and walking in, it was quite loud. For some reason, Winchester had many activities going on that weekend so, there was much excitement. Moreover, my friend had arrived before me and was nursing her Martini. When I arrived, I placed my go-to drink order, Tito's Vodka with Pineapple topped with a cherry. I think it's important for drinkers to have their got-to drinks. After catching up a bit, we decided to place our orders. I thought I'd try something new and different because in the past, I always ordered fish and chips or wings. I never deviated because I was always there to hang out, and act silly, more than anything. I ordered the Shephard's Pie: lamb-beef Shepard's pie, whipped potato. This was a winner! I didn't realize it was a casserole-ish type of meal with lamb-beef, broth/gravy, mixed peas and carrots, and corn kernels. It sort of reminded me of a Chicken Pot Pie... I enjoyed it much! My friend, she ordered the King Charles III: shaved London broil, grilled sweet onion, provolone, tomato, horseradish sauce, toasted hoagie roll.

I had never had that dish and thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact we both thoroughly enjoyed our meals. The wait staff and bartender were friendly and attentive. Great service. We ended our night at UJP with one more drink to go and then strolled around the neighborhood to see what's new and different.

The only thing that ticked us off was the fact that there were a group of people who had been drinking and partying and they were extremely loud. This had nothing to do with the restaurant.

I would still recommend this place and...

This place was incredibly disappointing on an important day for me and my fiance. I chose to take her to Union Jack's on Valentine's day because it looked like they were going to have a nice, casual Valentine's dinner in their grand room with live music. It was one of the few restaurants in the area with that type of event, so we drove 40 minutes out of our way to go here. The service was terrible. There was a special menu just for Valentine's day. Everything on the menu sounded good, so we opted for that instead of their regular menu. Big mistake. I would like to point out first that the person they hired for live music that night was great. No complaints there, and the main course of the meal (braised short ribs and crispy potatoes) was delicious. But everything surround the meal was bad. Our server was polite, but he did not know the menu. He forgot to bring my fiance's drink, so I had to ask him again for it. It was a specialty soda, so he just brought out the warm can of soda for her... No glass, for a supposedly "romantic" Valentine's dinner. I had to ask for a glass. The waters they brought out were also warm... And funky tasting. No ice. But some other tables did get ice with their water we noticed. The whole experience was very sub par. Not even close to being worth $65 for two. The dessert was also horrible. It was supposed to be cheesecake. What came out was a warm plate of red(?) Cheesecake that had a very tough chocolate cookie on top... So as soon as you tried to dig in with a fork, the whole afair squished out the sides like play dough. It was also pretty flavorless... I couldn't believe it. I've never left a $0 tip in my life, but that night, I felt like I was doing them a service by tipping nothing. Here's a tip for management. Never, ever, put your newest person in charge of the "special" event in your restaurant. In our case, it was our first time there, and it's certainly our last. Which is a shame, because I think their regular plates, and service downstairs, is actually decent, from what I could tell from our...

Union Jacks has long been a cornerstone for those seeking an authentic English pub experience, and after years of patronage, I can confidently say the establishment continues to evolve while staying true to its roots.

One of the biggest changes is that Jason, a longtime staple behind the bar, is now the owner. His deep understanding of the pub’s character and its loyal patrons ensures that Union Jacks retains the same welcoming atmosphere it’s always had. While many bartenders have come and gone over the years a few are occasionally seen tending bar - even Brett, although adjunct. To that, this delivers the service and camaraderie that regulars appreciate.

The menu has been revitalized under a skilled new chef, bringing fresh energy to the kitchen. A standout dish is the Scotch egg—perfectly crisp on the outside with a flavorful, well-seasoned core. It’s a testament to the thoughtful updates that still honor the pub’s classic appeal. Longtime visitors who’ve remembered dishes of yesteryear such as the queso dip, Yorkshire pudding, and toad in the hole may be charmed to hear those dishes may make appearances in the future.

Beyond the food, Union Jacks remains a community hub. The ambiance is unmistakably that of an English pub, but it carries the warmth of a true hometown gathering place. Their specials during sports games and special events continue to make it a go-to destination for both casual outings and high-energy game days.

Change is inevitable, but at Union Jacks, it has been for the better. With Jason at the helm, a refreshed menu, it remains a standout in the...