please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Made use of this pub today whilst visiting a friend in the area. We used this particular pub as my friend is confined to a wheelchair and the access to the pub/restaurant area for anyone in a wheelchair is excellent. We spent a few enjoyable hours here. The meals we had were very good in both quantity and quality. Although neither of us are "beer buffs", there seemed to be a good range of beers. Those beers we sampled were well kept. Also found the management and staff very friendly and helpful. We will certainly be returning.
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Sitting in the beer garden on a soectacular evening... not enjoying the chips which are hard and clearly not regarded as important enough to worry about.I was here a few weeks ago following rumours of a pub transformed from the previous carnage - to some extent it is true but that's of little comfort when the staff are curt and lippy and service chronically slow. To be fair I came back here as the chips were so good last time but they have some sort of kitchen work to rule issue and wont even take your order before 6.00 ... the chef's shift starts then so he is immediately inundated - hence the hastily cooked chips.
Plus side: sizeable beer garden, canal side views and good range of beers.
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Called in by chance as I had been visiting the nearby nature reserve. I had Timothy Tayors Landlord and was not disappointed. I liked the pub even though I had not a previous visit to make a comparison. I happen to like canalside pubs and this one, though clearly a gastropub style conversion from something else, did not disappoint. Only grouse was the flies that seemed to hover around. I'll be back to try the food soon.
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I like the canal side atmosphere including the run down boat yard. From the outside the pub looks very inviting but it just seems to lack something.
This was my third visit and I continue to find it a bit snobbish. It is contemporary inside and is let down by the bar which looks more like a canteen service counter.
The staff try hard but lack a bit of common sense. I.e. just because you are first in line, don�t expect to be the next to be served. The small bar also means service is painfully slow.
The beer garden is good; the food ok. It is the sort of pub that you walk into with high expectations and come away thinking that with a bit more of a traditional feel, could be so much better.
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Food wise, about as far away from a Chef and Brewer as you can get! It isn't decorated in a traditional pub style, but the term "yuppy" is disparaging, so I would probably describe it as "that gastro pub look". We all know what that means, right?
The comment about the attractiveness of the part of the canal the pub sits on puzzles me a little. Yes, there is an old and slightly dishevelled boat maintenance yard opposite the garden, but this is intriguing (idiosyncratic?) and adds interest in my opinion. Plenty of walkers use this part of the canal, so judge on the attractiveness of the canalside location for yourselves.
As you will see if you read down a bit, the landlord here is a friend of mine since childhood, so naturally I'm biased. I can also see at first hand how hard the team work in the pub, so they deserve credit for the food and drink where it's due, to balance the negative comments about location and interior design.
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Situated on one of the less attractive parts of the Grand Union and obviously owned by a chain (Chef and Brewer?). Painted in two tone yuppy green and with airport style furniture, it has more of a cafe than a pub feel to it. Good choice of beers though including one from Tring Brewery.
Overall, too standard and formulaic for me - give me a bit of idiosyncracy anyday.
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Thought this was a nice little pub on a recent visit. They appear to take pride in locally sourced food and they had some Tring ales on from down the road too. Very comfy sofa and typical gastro-pub type decor, worth a trip but could do with a bit more character.
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Not great at all. I had to clean our table before sitting down as it was covered in chocolate. It took 40 mins for the food to arrive and the meal wasn't very good,staff were lacking in service skills and there were lots of dirty tables and flies. Ok for a drink but avoid the food and don't expect a warm welcome.
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I agree with Nick22. Went in to the Grand Junction for a drink latish Monday evening after a long days boating. I thought that as usual I could take my dog in with me. Apparently dogs are no longer allowed. A deep disappointment but it saved me a lot of money. In future I will stop at Berkhampstead or travel down the locks to pubs where my dog and myself are welcome. As the pub was empty when I went in, I would have thought any custom would have been welcome. I know the rules regarding dogs in pubs and realise that at the end of the day it is discretionary, but refusal is in my opinion a very short sighted view for a country pub relying an passing trade. I didn't realise boaters were also disliked.
Not like the old Grand Junction.
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Superb food - we've eaten here quite a few times and the standard of food is immense, it looks good and tastes even better. Definitely the best food in the area and one to watch.
The staff are really friendly and helpful. The layout and design of the pub is much better following the pub's refurb, it now has a really cosy, welcoming feel.
Since re-opening the menu and wine list have also improved immeasurably.
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This place has been very nicely refurbished and has gone up in the world on a number of counts. Come and bring your friends!
The main improvement for my wife and myself, who eat out a lot, is in the quality of the food. It's now up there with and, in our opinion, beyond the standard of local 'gastro-pubs' like the Alford Arms, The Greyhound and The Bricklayers Arms. We've eaten there three times and found the food to be unremittingly delicious! Good wine, too. We desperately hope that the word gets around so that The Junction remains in operation as it is now.
We unreservedly recommend it.
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oh dear...its sad to see.....yes the new owner has made the place look nice and yes the food is better.....but has totally lost all atmosphere since karl left!!
he has banned dogs and boaters!!madness!!!he will have to have an amazing summer to get thro the winter!!went in twice in the last 2 weeks and place is dead!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so sad to see as the new owner is a nice bloke!should of done his research a bit better tho me-thinks!!before putting money into it!!
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The last few months has seen a significant transformation of this pleasant canalside pub near Tring.
The refurb gives this pub a much more ambient atmosphere and the whole place appears much lighter in tone, service and quality.
A seat at the bar affords great views both north and south along the grand union canal and the landlord's London Pride is pretty good too.
The food appears to be plentiful and good. My 4 year old made short work of the local ham and chips while I can recommend the home-made beef burger.
All-in-all its great to see a pub regenerate itself when so many are struggling.
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Right. I'm breaking my cardinal BITE reviewing rule here. Normally it's the beer I'm primarily interested in (and let me tell you the beer is well keep at this pub), but the GJA has compelled me to change tack.
After an initial visit on opening weekend to say hello to Mick and generally have a nose round the cellar, I finally carted the family down for Sunday Lunch.
I knew the food was going to be good based upon some of the comments I'd seen about the head chef and the sneak preview of the menu that I had seen. However what we had to eat far exceeded my expectations. The produce used and the standard of cooking are really excellent. My sea bass with chorizo and pea risotto was fresh, tasty and perfectly cooked. The roast dinners were equally good and my youngest daughter had a very nicely done take on good old fish and chips.
Some dishes on the menu are available in children's portions. The kids were also interested in the dessert menu, which for me is where the quality of the food was cemented in my mind!
I'm particularly talking about the chocolate bread and butter pudding, which frankly shouldn't be allowed. I haven't eaten anything quite so heavenly for a long, long time.
I realise that the above sounds like some overblown advertisement from a mate of the bloke who runs the place, but in all honesty this is the best pub food I have tasted in years.
I admire anyone who runs a pub with dedication and a commitment to quality and value for money and that is what you get at the GJA.
Oh and by the way for 5 mains and 3 desserts (yes, I nicked my taste of the B&B pudding from eldest daughter), 7 soft drinks and 3 pints the bill was �76, which I thought was pretty good value.
So my admitted partiality aside, I couldn't recommend GJA more. To paraphrase their own motto - a great summer pub... Bloody good in the winter too!
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I live close to the pub and although I appreciated the efforts made by the previous landlord the pub had a neglected feel to it. The new landlord Mick has invested both money and alot of care in the place and it shows in every way. I have been for several convivial quiz nights and enjoyed the quality of the rather unadventuruous ales Spitfire, Pride and GK IPA. all of which are very well kept.
Last night we ate there and were so impressed with the quality of the food, the menu was varied and interesting but the food and service was superb, beautifully and creatively served and packed with flavour. It was not the cheapest but the quality was absolutely top draw.
I look forward to a wider selection of Ales which is my main passion but am sure no one would be disappointed with the friendliness, atmosphere or quality of both food and Ale and oh before i forget for lager lovers there are some quality foreign bottled beers to delight
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The gas connection issue has finally been resolved and it's likely that the full food menu will be up and running next week.
I think the food is going to be spectacular having seen the menu and heard of the chef's reputation.
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OK first things first, I'll declare an interest in this pub as one of my mates, Mick is the new licensee.
I never went before the makeover and reopening, so I can't draw any comparisons to what the pub used to be like.
However, I can say that the place looks great inside, a combination of comfy sofas, high stools and tables and more formal dining tables. Although it's a contemporary look there is a very comfortable, cosy feel to the place.
3 beers on at the moment Pride, Spitfire and GK IPA. More interesting beers are promised once things have settled down.
I met chef Jon, who is currently a little underemployed as they are without gas thanks to the last landlord not paying the bill. It would have been easy to stay closed with this set back, but they opened for sandwiches and salads today which went well.
Looking at the proposed menu, there will be a good mix of seasonal and local produce on offer.
Mick has plans for this place, so I would definitely suggest a visit to lend the early support that businesses of this kind need.
I haven't rated the GJA in the interests of fairness, cos I'd give it a ten just for the crap Mick has put up with to get open!
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MY HUSBAND AND I ARE REAL FOODIES AND HAVE EATEN IN MOST OF THE PUBS AND RESTUARANTS AROUND TRING. WE KNOW OF THE CHEF JON DIONASIS AND HE IS A MASTER AT CREATING GREAT FOOD, WILL DEFINATELY BE SAMPLING THE NEW MENU AT THE GRAND JUNCTION ARMS.
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Could be one to watch - rumour is they've just recruited Jon Dionasis as the new chef - could well give the Greyhound in Aldbury some competition on the food front.
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If you go here by car, be sure to go straight into the pub as soon as you park your car, go straight to the bar and ask for a parking permit. If you don't, your car will be clamped straightaway and you will be charged �150 for release.
This place is fine for a pint, especially outside in the garden if the weather permits, but the food isn't up to much and the place could do with an overhaul, particularly the mens toilets which always stink.
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Karl the new landlord has done a great job improving this pub. It's a great place for live bands on a Saturday night. It has a big beer garden and it sells good wholesome food at good prices. They normally have London Pride on draft, always a good option, plus they get in other beers. Lately they've had Black Sheep from Yorks, Deuchars IPA and the local Tring Brewery Ridgeway beer, plus the usual lagers. You get a mixture of families, music lovers and bargees here, but the place has been cleaned up quite a bit most of the customers are quite respectable, based on a few visits I've had - it being one of my nearest pubs. They only take cash, which is fair enough, and if you leave you car overnight without a pass from the bar staff your likely to get clamped (to discourage walkers and boat owners using the pub car park). They don't clamp in the evening though I'm told.
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oh dear oh dear.......BOATER STEW sign sat outside the door. I cant believe that the place would encourage these hat wearing,unhygenic,dirty creaures and their flea ridden mutts on rope into the premises! A nice big place-modern in its interior and classy with its style but full of stinking water creatures making the palce look like an up market homeless shelter. Ale wasnt very good either but i would imagine they only sell cheap cider to the locals in a bid to get drun k ASAP. Shame because it has the potential to be a great place and a nice eating establishment but is let down but its choice to allow vermin into its fine hollows.A real shame.......
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This pub sits in a perfect location next to the Grand Union Canal surrounded by beautiful countryside, walking distance to the Chiltern Hills and next door to the College Lake nature reserve. It's a perfect place to end (or start) a good walk with a beer and some home cooked food.
The new landlord is making a great effort to welcome new customers and to put on a menu that is simple good quality food at a decent price.
When I've been in the pub there has always been a nice atmosphere, a mixture of old locals, families with children (like me) as well as visitors that have just come for the day. The garden is perfect for kids with lots of space to run around.
Ps. The landlord is more than happy to accommodate groups of runners/cyclists/ walkers!
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Was told the pub was cleaned up a bit so i decided to bring my family up for food, it has been cleaned up a small bit but is still filthy and dogs loose everywhere when your trying to eat, also the service was very slow and food was average. we wont be rushing back any time soon or recomending it to anyone.
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ps ..Its a good thing that Karl has got 'Whites' in ( parking /clamping co)..It means that cutomer that want to eat /drink can get parked..
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Since the new land lord ( Karl) took over few months ago the pub has improved 10 fold...Attmosphere is great ..food is better..its cleaner,smells better looks nicer ..I feel comfortable going in there again ( femal on her own,that is a big compliment to karl)..He is the best thing thats happened to this pub in a long time..Karl is for the people,he is great with all age groups ...PUNCH DONT LET HIM GO .........
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went into the pub for the first time in years today on a recomendation of a frien and cant believe the change....clean and tidy!!-proper homemade food-the new landlord Karl made us all feel welcome and is a proper laugh....will be visiting again for sure
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Average. BEWARE! Whites Car Parking Solutions are clamping cars in the pub car park and charging �150 to remove it. If you're visiting to walk your dog along the towpath before having a drink, make sure you go into the pub first. Unlike me, you have been warned.
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Average. BEWARE! Whites Car Parking Solutions are clamping cars in the pub car park and charging �150 to remove it. If you're visiting to walk your dog along the towpath before having a drink, make sure you go into the pub first. Unlike me, you have been warned.
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Average. BEWARE! Whites Car Parking Solutions are clamping cars in the pub car park and charging �150 to remove it. If you're visiting to walk your dog along the towpath before having a drink, make sure you go into the pub first. Unlike me, you have been warned.
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Average. BEWARE! Whites Car Parking Solutions are clamping cars in the pub car park and charging �150 to remove it. If you're visiting to walk your dog along the towpath before having a drink, make sure you go into the pub first. Unlike me, you have been warned.
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Nice looking pub with a great garden, but unfortunately the usual canal-side pub. Over-priced beer and food, and flea ridden boaters and their dogs. Hope whoever take it over when it re-opens has the good sense to kick them both out, and let people eat their food without being sniffed at by some flea ridden, drooling, four legged creature, and the unwashed things that lead them around on their ropes.
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AVERAGE.....the food is good and the beer is VERY good,well looked after,location is good too especially in the summer, lounging by the canal on a sunny day is a big plus, however, the staff are not interested in the customers whatsoever and the atmospher is incredibly dull, if you go, go with friends.
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Not mightily impressed. Beer OK but not great.
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Had not been here for a long time, and it used to be owned by a friend of mine, so it had a lot to live up to. Did not look promising on the inside at first (garden excellent, but too cold and getting dark), until I found the bar staff to be friendly, accommodating, and the atmosphere warm. I had my kids with me and there were no issues (i.e. family friendly). But best of all was the food. It was not gourmet-standard, but it was fresh, well-prepared, and they made a real effort when they ran out of onion rings (wife's favourite) and made some more from fresh. Excellent and recommended, and certainly one of the best pub meals for a long time.
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Outstanding. Top manager, top people, everyone was out to have a great time. Had the time of my life, so I hope to visit again soon.
Beer6 - 29 Aug 2007 16:51 |
Now then, listen here. Forget all these pathetic attempts to slate this pub, it's great. I have been using this pub for some time now and have always been made welcome. The food comes out looking great, the staff are always friendly and the landlord and landlady are perfect hosts. ALSO, THERE IS A NEGATIVE REVIEW OF ANOTHER PUB ON THIS PAGE!! There is no deli bar downstairs, there is a handy Cellar Bar, for scorching hot summer days by the canal... It's getting too poetic so I am off... UP THE JUNCTION!!
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Used to be the best pub in the area when it served Curry from all over the world. Since new owners, avoid it like the proverbial plague.
anonymous - 24 May 2006 23:27 |
They still have decent beer despite the move to premium lagers and overpriced food. Friendly staff - much improved on the last time I was there, but still haven't got the hang of keeping the Gents clean!
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Fab pub, really nice staff.
Comfy seats, food is ok but outside is really special - huge garden all the way down to the canal - very near several locks, you can watch the boats going through. Dog friendly with lovely walks in every direction.
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