please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Three of us plus our dog visited here early Saturday evening. Food is served from 6pm. There was Old Speckled Hen and Doombar Real Ale on. A very nice pint of the latter served by a pleasant bar lady. Pub décor is smart with an Adult only area near the entrance and two rooms around the bar and a conservatory restaurant.There is a bar menu and a restaurant menu which is adequate with blackboard specials. We ordered the Lamb,Steak and the Venison meatball dishes which were served within 30 minutes. Generous portions ,however the lamb was a bit tasteless which was mentioned by one of our group. Our dog was welcomed and was allowed to sit at our feet in the bar area where we ate our meals. The toilets were clean and tidy. Meal prices were about the £10 - £15 range.There is a Car Park alongside the pub. By the time we left at 8pm a few other people had arrived but it wasn't busy. I enjoyed our visit and would go again. Apparently there is a pleasant garden and riverside to enjoy aswell.
|
Riverside Conservatory restaurant is a perfect setting and the food I found was excellent - altogether a really pleasant surprise. Good size portions - staff polite and helpful and lovely friendly atmosphere. I am already planning my next visit.
|
A decent local in a prosperous village that seems a lot further from London than the 25 miles would suggest. Two good beers (Harveys Best, Dark Star Hophead) are usually on.
|
Found the bar staff very rude, only want to serve their regulars who do not think twice about pushing in! Food was horrible and overpriced. Will not be revisiting and would advise others not to waste money in there.
|
Visited this pub today for the first time. A delightful garden and location by the river and obviously some money has been spent recently on upgrading the pub. First pint, and order for sandwiches, after some wait, was served in a rather off-hand manner. However for the 2nd pint I was served by someone else and it was a lot more professional and pleasant. 1st impressions count though!. Baguettes were decent enough if a little expensive. Good to see Dark Star there � Hophead in tip top condition (�3), the American Pale Ale (�3.20) less so.
|
i recently visited the fighting cocks having seen they had won recent awards. with out a doubt they deserved these awards, a welcoming pub by all members of the bar and waitress staff. The restaurant is out of this world with beautiful views you can see the landlord/landlady have put a lot of hard work in to this, the food was delicious good range to choose from and nicely portioned, catered for everyone! i will definently be back keep up your hard work!!
|
Lovely pub. Beautiful setting and very friendly staff. And CONGRATULATIONS
it won Pub of the Year 2010 for Best Tenanted Pub in Great Britian - FANTASTIC and well deserved.
|
you may say that - but it seems to me that this pub is :-
a) trying to manipulate the ratings and
b) trying to say that every other pub in the area has a vendetta against him!
I would hazzard a guess that all the other landlords in the area have better things to do than to spend their time on this website trying to win favour, such as cleaning their lines and serving good beer and food! I have absolutely no axe to grind - I was dissappointed in my visit and recorded this as such - what I imagined a review site was about - perhaps all local landlords should use thsi site to advise of the awards won etc, etc... and take it out of the hands of the genuine reviewer.....
|
The comments here are unfounded. Of course several posters will accuse me of some sort of connection to this establishment, but then by rights I can accuse them of being connected with the pub down the road, perhaps? I saw the reviews here on BITE and went to this pub to see what it was really like. There's nothing wrong with it, and going by the popularity I can't see the dodgy reviews here harming their bottom line. Check it out for yourself and remain open-minded, the reviews here are obviously shilled and false. Had a few pints, didn't sample the meals but had a snack. Great garden. Mate enjoyed it too. Running my own business I know what its like to have your competitors post negative comments everywhere, don't let it get to you, hard work and dedication prevails.
|
Apparently, my reviews are bogus.... well it seems to me that any Landlord that has to justify his position, and ask his 'friends' to post positive reviews must be feeling a bit unconfident that the bona fide reviews will find him lacking. That is what this pub is about! poor food, crap beer - staff who are not allowed to engage with customers and a Landlord who is disinterested in his cusomers - I leave it to you all to decide... i WILL BE VOTING WITH MY FEET! There are so many better pubs in this area - why go to this one..?
|
As I said in my post, when I went I got a short measure and bad attitude. Other than an honest comment I didn't have an axe to grind but being accused of a bogus post made me follow this thread more closely.
So i notice that in every positive review there's a checklist - friendly staff, hard working landlord, great setting, top food etc etc. Now who would have a motive to be that gushing on all counts? Oh I know, the landlord who we know has already been busy working the punters to win him good coverage. Granted they're mostly single reveiws good or bad so believe what you will. but if there is hostility /rivalry at work I'd be steering clear anyway.
As sure as night follows day I'd expect another 10/10 along shortly.. I don't care, I'm off out for a few pints now, just not there.
|
This pub is a real tonic. A huge effort has gone into turning this place around and it was worth it. The landlord and staff are friendly and hard-working, the food and drink is excellent in terms of quality and price and the lovely new restaurant, garden and river setting is brilliant, as is the play area for your little ankle biters!
I really don't understand some of the negative reviews and can only think they come from jealous rivals as the pub was absolutely full of seemingly happy people when we were there.
It deserves a 10/10 rating so try it out and see if you agree with me and not the knockers .
|
Off course my reviews must be bogus, as I prefer several other local pubs that are NOT the Fighting Cocks - but none of them are trying to manipulate their ratings!
|
Fightingcocks landlord - while your locking horns with posters on this site you could be cleaning the pumps, wiping lipstck off the glasses or serving with a smile. Give up trying to control your popularity or youll get even more bear baiting.
|
Read the spats on this pub with interest. Any review site will be a mixture of the objective and subjective and yes the single review will always look dodgy. I have posted on these boards for years (recently changed username after last computer died and changed e mail providor,) and have no axe to grind.
But saying that anyone who artificially asks a group o 'friends,' to post favourable reviews is equally looking to distort the picture just as much as the person who posts a series of one off negative reviews.
But the pub.........................went here the other day and it is fine, nothing special but fine, a decent family pub. If it has one big, big drawback for me it is simply that it is not the nearby Bull. As a self confessed real ale beer bore this pub can not compete with the range and quality of beer at the bull, but then again to be fair again, I don't think this pub is trying to.
|
Fightingcockslandlord - Mate, I've been a licensee for 34ish years, don't take it personally. If you've been in the trade 2 years, you've still got a lot to learn. People will be people. Do you job to the best of your ability, provide a good service and take note when it matters. And, most of all, 'BREATH' - yer a long time dead!!!
|
The Fighting Cocks are proud to announce that this week we have won 2 major industry awards.
The Morning advertiser ( The main industry magazine ) has voted
THE FIGHTING COCKS THE BEST LEASED PUB IN THE SOUTH EAST It has also been voted
THE FIGHTING COCKS THE BEST TURNAROUND PUB IN THE SOUTH EAST.
|
SSmiles does get around the pubs.They joined BITE 2 days ago and has already visited 6 pubs ?????.
Privately I have offered SSmiles the opportunity to come into the pub, buy him/her a drink and there partner and discuss areas where they think we can improve ( as stated before genuine criticism is acted upon) but to no response. Therefore this has to be classed as another bogus review. I do not stoop so low as to criticise other people in this trade as after working in it for the past 2 years I appreciate how hard a profession it is.
|
As bogus as the positive ones which are mostly all single reviews and read like a put-up job? Anyway, mine was real and I don't like a pub that is publicly waging a war on BITE. Fighting Cocks indeed.
|
Due to the BITE site not recognising bogus reviews from genuine ones. I will say to anyone thinking of visiting our pub. Any review prior to July 08 was a previous owner, so should be ignored. Since then reviews from Demeter and PA Bear are bogus. Criticism from the likes of Denizen is genuine and has been addressed. As I've said before we don't get things right all of the time, and genuine criticism and concerns are acted upon.
|
The landlord says here that he wants honest feedback but when I asked for my pint topped up all I got was attitude. Definately paranoid.
|
I have just discovered this site and wanted to arrange to meet some freinds in a convenient llocation, so we looked up various options on BITE. Having several children with us, we opted for the Fighting Cocks - BIG MISTAKE! The food was expensive, bland and poor value - so obviously bought in. The staff were at best unfreindly and at worst downright surly. The pub is understaffed we waited for ever to get served, which as you will apprecite, with young children, proved trying in the extreme. The garden is indeed lovely, but the poor service and poor value, really made me wish I had opted for the Red Lion down the road! Please note Landlord - I am not part of the 'vendetta' you seem to imply - just a disgruntled customer, who will not be re-visiting
|
Had a great meal in the conservatory restaurant this weekend, then spent the afternoon in the beer garden, the children's play area is a godsend.
Keep up the good work everybody.
|
Just goes to show you cannot please everyone all the time.
I have been served by all of the last four landlords in this pub and I have to say that the changes made by the present landlord have been a vast improvment over all the previous landlords.
The staff of cheerful and only to glad to please, it now has a friendly inviting atmosphere, catering well for a large number of casual visitors and a core of local village customers.
Long may it continue
|
My name is Chris Maskery and I'm the Landlord of the Fighting Cocks. Myself, my wife and business partner took over the pub 2 years ago which was in need of a lot of improvements. During the course of those 2 years we have worked extremely hard to build a thriving country pub which caters especially for families as well as seniors. We are not the finished article yet but we are moving steadily in the right direction. That is why constructive criticism and honest feedback is important to us, to help shape a better business for the future. If people have genuinely been disappointed with the service we offer, it is their right to voice those concerns. However, reading some recent reviews: they know who they are and why they wrote them, it does genuinely make a mockery of this site. The pub business is a tough one but fortunately for the Fighting Cocks, customers are voting with their feet.
May I suggest that you try the Fighting Cocks for yourself and if you have any genuine concerns, feel free to raise them either with myself or any of our 'miserable' members of staff.
Chris Maskery
|
Someone posted that it doesn't know what it is and that's about right - low rent 80s celebrities , pub quizzes, karaoke, below average food, bouncer type landlord - but signs of money spent - it's all chav stuff.
|
I agree completely with the above comment - the staff (and the day I went it was grossly understaffed) are rude, ignorant and condscending. I went to the pub this afternoon for a quick drink with my wife on a very, very hot day.
I was allowed to queue up at the bar for about 20 minutes waiting to be served. During this time I chatted to other people at the bar and to the barmaid. I eventually came to order 2 drinks and was told by the same barmaid who had been chatting to me -'Sorry we don't serve people in vests tops - its a rule!'
I am a 56 year old solicitor who just stopped by for a quick pint - did they really think I was going to start a fight, or lower the tone of the place because I was wearing a vest! And this from a pub proudly named after a barbaric and illegal activity ...
I will never go to this pub again and I urge others to boycott it until they employ staff who are able to use some comon sense.
|
Oh dear, single pub reviewers ahoy!
|
After tacking a reacent visit to the Fighting cocks pub with my family on a very busy Sunday I found the staff to be very attentive and welcoming. The food was very good and value for money with large portions, my children had a great time in the bear garden and we left at the end of the day very happy.
|
This pub has posted a request on their Facebook site for their 'friends' to post a review on here. They obviously cannot rely on bone fide reviews. Makes a mockery of this site! Customers beware - the reviews may be spurious!
|
Lovely setting by the river - beautiful gardens great for families. But also fantastic conservatory that served up great food. Went there for Sunday lunch and were looked after so well - made to feel very welcome. Good value too. We will definitely be going back - thinking of doing our wedding anniversary party there.
|
The staff are rude and very miserable, They have such stupid rules that must not be broken otherwise you will be asked to leave the premises.
Everyone must wear tops in the garden even right down by river! You can only have certain menus in certain places, no tabs if you are sitting in the garden it just goes on and on and on.
The food is only at best mediocre and over priced same as the beers and lager. There are plenty of other good pubs in the region without having to bother the staff here with our patronage!!
|
my recent 2 visits (May & June 2010) were both met with nothing but praise. Obviously since the last updated comment the pub has has a big change. The staff are effecient, food quality extremely high, good prices, wonderful setting in the restaurant and good choices of food from veggie stuff to more upmarket requirements. The pub itself could do with a bit of an update but it still has an good atmosphere. The restaurant and service from the girls though it very good.
ggrey - 22 Jun 2010 08:10 |
Oh Dear, what a shame the beer is not kept well! lovely setting though.
|
This place is surely better than a score of 4.9??
Just about gets away with seeming far too much like a restaurant.
Saved by the 4 old blokes playing dominoes made it a feel a tiny bit like a local pub.
I'm not very keen on the staff all wearing "Fighting Cocks" uniforms.
Huge beer garden backing onto the river was a nice spot for a pint.
|
Dreadful place, stay away!! The staff are rude, the beer is awful and the atmosphere is just horrible. We arrived with our two boys, told to sit in a certain area, whilst the staff sat at the other end of the pub and ignored us. There are so many better pubs in the area, this place is just crap!
|
I ventured back here after a year having read the recent reviews and to see if the food and ale were improved. The new conservatory is very nice if lacking somewhat in ventilation - I hate to think of what it will be like in the summer! The food was an improvement on what I had previously. However, on the saturday night that I visited for some bizzarre reason, they were hosting a karaoke competion - the singing certainly did nothing for my digestion and my partner found it almost unbearable - as did some of the other diners near us.
What made matters even worse, some of the (disgruntled?) karaoke particpants rounded off the evening with a fight in the car park!!!
This is a pub that as yet, clearly does not know where it is going. If they want to attract destination food customers, ghastly warbling throughout their meals and a subsequent brawl is not the way. My advice to anyone who wants to eat here is to check that the saturday night karaoke is not on!
|
I've recently been back to this pub a couple of times over the past few months and can only say what a difference a conservatory makes. The landlord/lady have built a new restaurant style conservatory and it is amazing, the menu has changed to suit the surroundings and the quality of the food was even better than expected.
I would definitely reccommend this pub to any of my friends and family, even more now than before. Again keep up the good work!
|
still going strong, keep up the good work!!
|
The best pub in the area without a doubt (and i've been to most of them!!),the food is excellent value, but what really does it for me are the regular events they have on, recently I've been to an X-factor night and met Cheryl Baker, and Mathew Le Tissier who did an evening there was brilliant, keep up the good work everybody.
|
I recently visited this pub after not going there for about 2 years. It has changed so much. The decor inside has made it a warmer, more welcoming pub. My family had a meal and the value for money was good, big portions (even the kids food) which filled us up for the day ahead. The weather was sunny and the large beer garden was filled with people enjoying themselves. This pub seems to have some good events on according to the advertsing boards out the front, Charity Duck Race on the river at the end of the garden on Bank Hol Mon 25th May, quiz nights and some themed food nights including curry night and fish and chips night.
All in all a great pub from what it was a few years ago, compliments to the people who have changed it around!
|
This pub ought to be so much better. Its always had a great location by the river to attract families but those on the know will tell you that the beer can be hit and miss as can the food. You can't just trade on location - you need a good product as well. They have now started to serve Dark Star Hophead which is good news but they will have to go some to match the standards of the Bull hidden away up the hill. I wish the new owners luck.
|
This is the sort of place to go if you have kids - don't go for a romantic meal - the food is average - too many options for it not to be bought in - and children running all over! The locals seem to hold sway over the pub - I was in the process of being served when a group of locals came in and I was left high and dry until the bar person served them! Ale was tired too.
|
This pub has been taken over by a new and very enthusiastic couple who have a family. Already the place has been tidied up and i hear they have many plans to make the fighting cocks THE pub to go to in the area. The menu is changed regularly and the food improved a great deal - from beer battered fish and chips, chicken in mushroom & bacon sauce to sunday roasts. Already they have hosted X Factor karaoke, Poker, Open mic nights and have plans for Halloween, Bonfire night and the festive season.
|
Great NOSH" real honest mans grub nice and greasy just what the doctor orderd yummy
|
My family and I have patronised on a few occasssions in the last few years the service is usually friendly albeit slow, but sadly for the fighting cocks their true nature was revealed this lunchtime while i found a hair in my fish/batter i was upset to say the least and upon my complaining to the waitress after i had managed to wrench the hair from the back of my throat was told that she would 'inform chef' i waited for a reasponse, while cringing watching my children eat fudge cake waiting to see if they did a magic trick and produced a rabbit from their icecreams, had not a single word of apology back from the cooking staff
all i can say about the fighting cocks is i am NOT game, and absolutly refuse to recommend them as an eatry to anyone unless i really dislike them
|
A fairly run of the mill village local, though I didn't visit at a suitable time to experience the garden, which seems to be one of the pubs biggest attractions.
The Millis Kent Red was a bit tired (not selling quickly enough?) but the Harvey's was fine. I didn't sample the controversial food.
Would be quite happy to call again, but I wouldn't go out of my way to do so.
|
Lovely pub in great setting, shame about the overpriced/underquality food.
|
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. mummy.
|
Great pub for the kids with the fantastic beer garden with river at the bottom. The food was reasonable and had average selection of beers.
anonymous - 11 Dec 2006 21:55 |
Great garden, just a shame about the overpriced and poor quality food. Also can be a very long wait in the summer. Seem to use poor quality ingredients... you can be chewing on a bit of god knows what in the chilli... chicken baguette was awful chicken... shame as it could be so nice!
|
Definately a summertime pub.
Massive beer garden.
Barbeques all summer long!!
Definately worth a visit, but hard to find though.
Nearest train station, 'Farningham' in Sutton at Hone.
Simon Watson - 9 Oct 2003 11:55 |
