please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
From the outside it looks like a country pub in a built-up area, so we called in for some lunch.
Inside was smart and clean with the restaurant along the far side of the bar.
I was not too impressed with what was on the bar.
Two hand pumps: Adnams Ghost Ship had ran out, leaving just boring Doom Bar.
Choice of food was okay at prices from average to high.
The ploughmans is served on a wooden board - I prefer a plate.
Burgers are served on a slate board - not sure how hygienic they are.
Chips come in a wire basket, which seem strange.
Guess what happened after I sprinkled them with vinegar?
Staff were just about okay without going that extra mile.
All round a disappointment.
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Total disappointment, complete and utter waste of time! since new owners have taken over they have totally killed the pub, they have ripped the heart and soul out of a lovely old pub, in has come blaring spot lights, fake marble bar, over exagerated decor! Landlady extremely surly and very rude which goes hand in hand with the bar staff, the most ignorant staff I have ever been served by, three visits running they had no beer on tap? Had run out and no one could change barrell. Bearing in mind this is the only pub in the area, surely common sense would kick in and realise you charge normal pub prices to get the punters back in? No totally overcharging, she seems to forget this is Ockendon not London. Pub is deserted every night of week, wonder why! Restaurant, what a joke, not one person in there, but then twenty pounds for fishand chips, dont bother going.
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The Oak is now very clean and tidy.
The restaurant food is absolutely top notch.
The restaurant service is very good.
Entrance through the bar area could put you off going further though, as some drinkers looked as if they had walked straight in from a building site and the shouting, swearing and school playground behaviour is going to put most people off returning.
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Drove past today & it look as though it has re-opened.
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Great shame this has closed I remember when Vic Maddern and Sid James used to drink thre.
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Pub has shut down, such a shame that the last owners ran it into the ground, pykies ruined it for everyone
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probably the best pint of guiness anywhere in the surrounding areas hard to beat pour and taste perfect but i only drink here during the day believe they do guest ales locals tell me these are very good i think the reining landlords have barred most of the local idiots but then ime gone before it gets to late
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Since the management have taken over this pub has improved 100%.
Very friendly staff always make you feel welcome, great atmosphere, not full of kids.
Food excellent particularly the Sunday Roast - to die for.
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I am new to the area and use the Oak as my local, the new owners Rob and Paula have turned this pub around, the food is excellent and there are always specials on, the Sunday roast and food from the grill cannot be faulted. The atmosphere is always
great with Quiz nights on a Wednesday and now entertainment on a Saturday evening.
Last week was the first time for live entertainment and what a great night, in the summer the sun shines on the pub all day and is great for an afternoon pint�Keep up the good work
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I remember this pub in the 50's and 60's when I lived in the prefabs of what was then Ockendon village, and the pub and village green was the gathering point for the local hunt.
Although I'm now dead set against fox hunting, I remember all the villagers used to gather there to see them off, and the colours and the noise of the dogs is something I'll always remember.
We took my old mum into the pub a few years ago for a nostalgic visit , and were very disappointed in the beer and food.
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Being run by new people. Good food and beer ( 2-3 ales on tap) but let down by being cold and draughty in winter (due to smokers leaving doors open front and back) and lairy pikies late at night.
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This is a pub to avoid often doesnt have any beer on tap at all because the landlord is too lax I guess. Full of scarey locals necking lager and smoking outside. At night the green lights make it look like the martians have taken over. Avoid at all costs.
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Used to go here with a mate who lives in Ockendon. Used to call it the 'Extortionate Arms' as it was pricey, but it did sell a few good ales. Used to be busy with people eating, which was okay as this was in a separate area.
Went there recently and it was a bit like a scene from 'Goodfellas' - full of loud, threatening looking locals who stared at you as soon as you walked in, only one real ale on and nobody eating. A shame as it used to be quite a good pub.
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Last year (2007) this was a very good pub - good ale, nice friendly atmosphere and excellent food. We went there a couple of times recently. The atmosphere's still friendly, the pint that I had was excellent, but the food was dreadful. The beef was tough and the vegetables had hardly seen any boiling water. The roasties weren't cooked in the middle I suspect that they had been semi-microwaved. Last year we had a very good lamb shank; now it doesn't exist. We also went there on Mothers' Day and found that there was only an all-in menu, including a starter, which we didn't want, for �15. Again the meat wasn't very good and the vegetables were again, almost raw, although this time, the roasties were a bit better. The staff did their best, but there was a long wait for service. It's not all bad though - the gravy is still rich and delicious and the yorkshire puddings were the best I've ever had in a pub. They didn't try to be meringues (what is it with cheffies that do yorkshires like this?)
I will we going back when they get the food sorted out. It's a shame that the Royal Oak's let down like this. The new owners need to look to what the food used to be and put it right.
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This used to be Sid James watering hole now look at it.. its a pub without a decent beer or atmosphere ..go elsewhere.
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Outside a notice proclaims"real ale always available.A changing guest beer".Inside is a different story.Real ale does not exist.From the outside the pub looks like an idyllic country pub but inside it is a fizz infested smoke filled shit hole.Do not be fooled by this.Don't even be fooled by any pub in Ockendon.Go somewhere else.Anywhere.
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over looks the village green , a really nice pub , the beer is good as well , if i remember rightly did have a couple of pool tables but this was towards the end of the crawl so cant remember much , but remember the staff were good the beer was good so thats the main bits sorted
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village pub with great food served 7 days a week the pub its self is over 300 hundred years old there are quiz nights every wednesday and karaoke once a month the atmosphere is good with cheap deals on drinks one of the cheapest pubs in the area
clare - 18 Feb 2005 15:00 |
