The Old White Lion, East Finchley - pub details
Address: 121 Great North Road, East Finchley, London, N2 0NW [map] [gmap]
Tel: 0871 951 1000 (ref 20) - calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras
Alexandra Palace (2.2 miles), New Southgate (2.3 miles), Hampstead Heath (2.4 miles)
Pub facilities/features:
- Food served, Real ale
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> Current user rating: 5.6/10 (rated by 65 users)
other pubs nearby:
Bald Faced Stag, East Finchley (0.1 miles), Gertie Brownes, East Finchley (0.2 miles), Madden's, East Finchley (0.3 miles), Five Bells, East Finchley (0.4 miles), Alexandra, East Finchley (0.4 miles) - see more nearby pubs
user reviews of the Old White Lion, East Finchley
please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
5 most recent reviews of 92 shown - see all reviews
| I went here last Sunday and as usual, was very disappointed. We ordered a roast only to be told that they had run out of roast potatoes. They said we could have mash instead. I'm not sure why the potatoes were turned into mash rather than roasted in the beginning. When it finally arrived, there were about 3 teaspoons of mash and a small amount of veg. The kale was gritty, it obviously hadn't been washed. We sent the whole lot back. We did get a free bottle of wine but really, its just not worth it. This pub fails to deliver time and time again. Shame really as its a lovely pub with a good atmosphere. Just don't eat there. graceland - 3 Feb 2015 18:45 |
| I booked a table for 9 people last Sunday. The place was empty and yet the food took an hour. Sunday Roasts were the only thing on the menu, so why the long wait? It was only after we had paid did anyone tell us of the components that were missing from each dish that day too. After waiting an hour for our food (that came at different times) we were disappointed to find it was all overcooked. Is that what the hour long wait is for, to make sure it's overcooked? The squid was like fishy toenail clippings and the whitebait were like burnt matchsticks. Our mains came halfway through our starters, again at differing times. The manager then turned on the TV that was behind us for the Rugby. Why on earth did they stick us under the TV when they knew a match would be starting an hour later? We were told to move if we didn't like it, with no help from the staff. This is not easy, especially with two kids. Needless to say our meals were cold. Didn't matter anyway, the roast dinner put in front of me was the saddest plate of food I have ever seen. We complained to the Manager and he couldn't care less. We got refunds on our meal but no apology. The other staff were embarrassed to say the least, I don't blame them though, the manager must be a hard person to work for but you could tell that this sort of thing happens all the time. Ok, so some people don't go to pubs for food, I understand but if a pub does both they should do both competently. The ale selection is hit and miss a lot of the time, most of the time I find the ales are off which is always disappointing. This pub used to be great but now it just looks like its waiting to be shut down. I hate to see pubs close but I'll be celebrating when this one does. Avoid at all costs people!!!!!!!!!!!!! AnthonyLA - 10 Mar 2014 11:47 |
| I am appalled with this pub. And as a local disappointed for indulging it too much. Time and again I have waited at a relatively quiet bar while uncommunicative and underqualified bar staff amble through their shift and look straight through you. In fairness it is not their fault. They are overstretched and sick of it. The same goes for the food ordering experience. Slow and painful. I demanded a discount and left when I lost patience trying to order £30 worth of desert. The guy next to me withdrew his order when he was informed of the waiting time. And this is the point. It is expensive. I haven't even mentioned thue standard of the beer or cuisine. This was all lost in the 'experience'. Any management worth their salt would be able to complete a simple time and motion study to understand that investing in just a few more staff would lead to better service, more revenue and profit, happier staff, in fact an altogether more pleasant experience for everyone. As it stands, I won't be going there again and see no future for it without serious change. boozidaddi - 30 Jul 2013 21:48 |
| I went in here late on Monday night on the way home from a CAMRA drink up in town and just got off the train and thought Id have a few pints and give this place a try to see if its improved instead of walking up to the Bald Faced Stag. Tried several ales all of which seemed to be in excellent condition including UBU. The pub itself has been wreaked over the years by modernisation loosing its three separate Bars now having just one large rather dark soulless room with just a small Bar in the centre making it feel cold and empty. Pub was very quiet only around 5 other customers in. There were two woman just talking over empty cups one guy non stop gassing on his mobile with his feet on the table and just two customers drinking but staff attitude was absolute terrible no manners or please & thank you and Twice getting short changed once can be a mistake but twice in the same visit.? Overall a good Pub but its still badly let down by untrained staff that don’t seen to have any customer skills or give a monkeys maybe I was just unlucky as it was a late Monday night. Alesonly - 15 Jan 2013 12:25 |
| Waited for the advertised on their website opening time today of 1200hrs,only to be informed at 1205hrs that it would take half an hour for the pub to open due to sickness. Manager only turned up at 1200hrs and another member of staff at 1203hrs. Very poor running of a pub. Didn't hang around for the half hour... King_Viv - 1 Jan 2013 22:30 |
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