Cow and Plough, Oadbyback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
The Cow & Plough is situated in a barn outside of the centre of Oadby. It belongs to the Steamin' Billy brewery. The two rooms inside have plenty of character. Steamin' Billy beers on were Bitter, Billy, Skydiver & Vardy's Volley. Fullers London Pride is supposedly always on. Guests were Abbeydale Moonshine & Black Sheep Golden Sheep. Another nice pub. But would have been better with a dark ale or a cider.
|
Welcome return to this wonderful pub, missed the junction on the motorway last year on the way back from the Peaks with Mrs Monk, so hadn't visited for a couple of years. Had the Steamin' Billy bitter; then Sky Divin' and the Abbeydale Redemption, both around 5% and both excellent, even Mrs Monk approved. Sunday lunchtime was pretty busy and the comment from Steve45 about "who's next?" happened to me, which may be nit picking but it is irritating that customers are either so anonymous or the bar staff take no interest in seeing who is next. That doesn't detract from both wonderful food and beer - I'd say two x two course Sunday lunches for �27.90 was excellent value considering the quality of the food - see what you'd get for that in London or the home counties, most probably more costly and certainly from the Brakes pre - cooked heat up in the pub range. Considering it's �3.20-50 for a bog standard bitter in most London pubs I'd say the �3.00 per pint for the 5% ales was damned good. I wish I had a pub like this within 10 miles of where Mrs Monk and I live. 9.5/10
|
Beer is generally ok, food overpriced. Be prepared to wait some time to be served when busy. The bar staff, mostly young ladies are ok, but have a tendancy to ask "who's next" when there is more than 2 people waiting to be served, when they either do know or like any good bar staff, certainly should!
|
With a bar staff that seems to change at least as regularly as the generally top guest ales they serve here. An obvious "must" on the "Oadby barcrawl" much beloved by certain first year University of Leicester students living in Halls, which starts here, and continues on to (and finishes at) 'Spoons. Essentially an "old mans" pub, and a counterpoint to Steamin' Billy's more student-orientated "Western". Always friendly staff.
|
Well said trainman! Called in on an all too rare visit last Saturday. Excellent pint of Spring Mild and polite service.
|
Can't get decent draught bitter near where I live in Virginia, nearest real ale pub serving English style bitter on draught is the Pratt Street Ale House in Baltimore 40 miles away. So you can imagine what it felt like on a recent visit to family in the area to be able to enjoy great beer and civilised conversation at a splendid session with my father, brother, and family friend, the evening of April 27. Steamin' Billy bitter was our drink of choice, and it was delicious. Long live the Cow & Plough.
|
Well, I was here again 08Apr & very much enjoyed another visit. Our group was somewhat taken aback to find the place so busy before 13:00 on a Wednesday, but they had a jazz band already swinging and a strong representation from some of the more, ahem, senior local populace. I suspect they must do midweek food offers too, as most seemed to be lunching. Yes, we had to wait a few minutes to be served but nothing untoward, given how popular the place was that day, and not at all for the 2nd round. The choice of beers was very good, and included my beer-of-the-day, the extraordinary (limited edition) Wellington from Millstone. The young ladies behind the bar displayed no poor �attitude� as suggested below, and happily offered to phone me a taxi when I�d simply asked for a local number. And the gents loos were fine. It all makes kpb�s only-ever Bite comment rather mysterious�
|
As you can see there are no recent reviews. This pub has become an example of the Emporer's new clothes. Great beer (at times), poor service, worst toilets than the most and food service and standard has plummeted beyond belief.
Try and complain and they are sorry because they are so busy - gosh the other 20 covers must have stretched you! 35 minutes for 6 very limp desserts at �4.50 a throw, baguettes at �6+ with a bit of sliced beef thrown in with two of the saddest 'roasties' I've ever seen with a bit of limp lettuce covered in '2nd chef's sick['
From my experience unless they change their attitude give it a miss
kpb01 - 27 Apr 2009 14:08 |
Excellent pub with fine ales and good food, in a pleasant edge of city, rural setting.
|
ps. if you were less than impressed with the mention of Billy's pictorial adventures on his pumpclips, you have to bear in mind that he is a Jack Russell terrier...
|
Exceptional. Kept this one for the post-crawl Sun debrief and it was all we hoped it would be. The beers from Steamin Billy were SB Bitter, Skydiver, Grand Prix Mild, SB Country Bitter, also Burton Bridge Shy Teaser, Leatherbritches Copper Mountain, among those �coming soon� were beers from Ossett, Salopian, Tring. I think we tried all those served on the day and each was in immaculate condition. In addition, 8+ ciders were listed incl Old Rosie & Steamin Billy Country, ales avg �2.50, ciders �3. As we sat outside at one of the many picnic sets opposite other ex farm buildings the partner of the brewer stopped by for a chat about the brewery (in Burton), the beers & their other pubs & outlets, he seemed genuinely pleased at how much we were enjoying the range. The look of the large long building from the outside looks a little new, but step inside for a much more rustic country atmos, with an eclectic mix of solid wood furniture and the length of the rafters adorned throughout with hops. Breweriana abounds, especially in the two rooms to the rear (opp rear section of bar) where the low lighting suggests a decent bolt hole to escape inclement weather. A small blackboard offered a dozen diff fruit wines (12-14%), and check out the eponymous Billy on his pumpclips, driving in Grand Prix, parachuting on the Skydiver etc. At the far end is a very nice looking restaurant, polished glasses shining on bleached wood tables, sorry I forgot to check out the menu, the bar also offers light lunches which looked good & filling. It�s a shame there is no bus route down Gartree rd, but the 22 from Leic to Evington (15mins) leaves you a 10min downhill stroll to the pub & our taxi back to Leic stn was �8. I�m tempted to award my first �10� but the search must continue.
|
A gem of a pub formed from converted farm buildings. Excellent range of beers led by the "in house" though brewed at Burton "Steaming Billy" range. My samples included the Country Bitter and Billy Bitter both of which were truly exceptional. Hope to go back before long.
|
W6 of us went for a meal to celebrate my husbands birthday. We had a lovely evening. Very atmospheric The main course was lovely and very tasty and nicely presented but a little expensive for what it was, the main disappointment was �4.50 for an almost wafer thin piece of apple pie with a small bit of custard. Definately not worth $4.50. Perhaps �2.50 would have been adequate for the size of portion etc. Would not consider going on a regualr basis, ok for a treat, but too expensive otherwise. They do offer 13.95 during the week, perhaps they should extend this to Saturday and then perhaps they would be full.
|
Take some farm buildings and turn them into a pub. Easy? Well, the owners of this delightful establishment have succeeded in transforming them into a multi-award winning place where almost anyone would be pleased to take a drink. The superb mixture of old furnishings, the enormous display of redundant pub signs, adverts and mirrors and the inclusion of original old pub fittings and screens. The rear Vault is a joy to behold and the beer range, mainly from Midland brewers adds to the enjoyment. Just beyond the Leicester city boundary and off the A6 at Stoughton Farm
|
A good range of beer in this converted farm outhouse, including the Steamin' Billy range (served through silly sparklers, get them taken off!).
Shame the farm (which was open to the public) has gone, blame DEFRA for that during foot and mouth, killing off the countryside. Still, at least we have this gem in its place.
Lots of original olde worlde pub decor inside (which makes you realise how many pubs have been raped by developers of the past few years) which gives it a good ambience. Lots of characters, could easily lose a few hours in here chatting to folk.
Grab a bus (one of Leicesters strong points) and come out here for an afternoon), it really is worth it.
|
Fantastic sandwiches and beer, highly recommended.
|
|
