BITE user comments - rogerthedodger
Comments by rogerthedodger
The 500 years of hospitality must have ended the night I walked in and was not greeted or acknowledged by the miserable buxom spectacled barmaid who served up a fresh pint of vinegar and tutted when I made comment about how undrinkable it was. Not very good first impressions I am afraid.
29 Jul 2014 19:59
The Monkhams Inn, Buckhurst Hill
This is a good pub for a meal and a pint and much better than it was. Often have deals. Best to visit during the day rather then the evening as I found out recently as the undesirables lurk around. The staff are quite friendly. Food seems all prepacked stuff but tasted alright.
16 Apr 2014 04:03
The Horse and Well, Woodford Wells
If you like to watch football this is the pub but forget having any ale if that is what you drink as having tried this a couple of time recently it would seem that they cannot keep any beer properly and best go for a cider Guinness or lager. Does get packed out with Chavs and Towie type undesirables who seem to use the loos for recreational purposes. You can get a better pint in the pub next door which has a good range of ales.
16 Apr 2014 03:59
The Travellers Friend, Woodford Green
Not been here for ages and pleased to see the terrible women now gone off and apparently opened a pub in High Beach Essex. Bombardier which was ok and Best which was better. They sell food and had a roll which they for some reason call puffers which may be some in joke as it was just a roll as you would get from a bakery but nice and fresh. They also sold hot dogs . Very attractive heavily made up young lady behind the bar with Barbara Windsor of old mannerisms and a chest to match, always smiling and friendly and a greasy looking barman who was not so happy and who looked like he needed a wash. Don't know if they are the new landlords. The inside is still a bit drab and noticed quite a few bar flies which was annoying.think I say the bloke referred to on the stool mentioned in other entry. He did not look very friendly with hang dog look. Apart from him everyone was quite friendly which was nice. Easy to get to by bus with a stop either side road nearby 179 and 20.
15 Apr 2014 02:20
Shame, this place seems to have plummeted and not as good as it once was. Beer is expensive and not as top quality like before and place seems a bit tired. Annoying music blaring out of a TV set not to my particular liking. Who place looks like it could do with a major overhaul inside and out. The staff all seem East Europe but nice enough and friendly but can have difficulty understanding what you are saying to them.
15 Apr 2014 01:54
The Travellers Friend, Woodford Green
Could not believe that the woman and her awful daughter still running this place. Came in on a Monday and the place was literally empty! Eventually a couple came in who are regulars and told me that hardly anyone uses the place when the daughter is working as she drives people insane which having tried to hold a conversation with her have found it impossible. By all accounts the place has been bought and they are soon getting the boot as it is going to be a Turkish restaurant and will have a bar downstairs like the one in chigwell which is full of Essex chavs and powders. The mother has fallen out with many of the regulars in here as the even beer is not up to much which I can vouch for as my Best was frankly awful.
14 Aug 2013 07:31
Came in here after ages, nice beer but McMullens only, still, newer tv's for the football I think Sky. Same unpopular Landlord who has just gone on a staff sacking spree after a drunken night and through them off the premises by all accounts after talking to a few regulars. One user said that he is the most umpopular Landlord since 1932 which is the pubs record. Anyhow who goes to a pub to chat up the landlord? Funny old pub this, could be good, lacks atmosphere.
14 Aug 2013 07:26
Have not been here for ages but had a lovely curry in here last week, very tasty but did not know whether the curry made my eyes water or the price of the beer, over a staggering �3.35 a pint unless the East Euro barmaid got sterling mixed up with Euro I do not know.
4 Jul 2010 21:12
Brodies ale tastes like water which is essentially what it is, no body to it, unlike quality beer like Broadside. If they can afford to sell Brodies cheap, says it all, tax perks and no substance to it.
4 Jul 2010 21:08
Dont be too harsh on the landlady, her husband Roger has the big C and aint at all well, maybe this is why she is a bit up tight at the moment?
9 Jun 2010 18:32
Hey Folkie66, how can you say the pub is getting worse 'day by day' when you then say you do not go in there? Be fair at least!
Every time I have been in there the beer is superb, maybe the atmosphere will pick up now that you have gone to the village.
They have only just done that place up and it was a dire place to drink in before. You should have seen the Plough before it was refurbished a few years ago. As for the garden, it is winter!
29 Dec 2009 18:24
Number four customer kept coming in and out without buying anything at it transpired that he was a local fruitcake begging. The place seems emptier than ever these days. I strolled by with mates over from my home town last week and they were keen to visit a 'traditional English pub' I told them that they were dying all around and as we ventured in to the North Star, there was nobody inside at all except a grumpy looking misery behind the bar. We all walked straight out. Took them to O'Neills. It is a shame as the pub is essentially nice but the Landlord's attitude is not very pleasant.
29 May 2009 14:23
Still a great pub but a little worried that the beer does seem at times to be a little inconsistent in choice and quality. Still a superior little pub and the best for miles.
12 Apr 2009 11:23
Well, I tried the place out again the other night and was very disappointed. After all the hype and promises by the Landlord of a revamp and refurbishment, it seems that the total sum invested is in a 10 litre tub of emulsion paint (bargain bucket �9.99 at Focus).
This massive investment together with replacing the broken light bulbs has had a strange effect of now making the place very uncomfortably bright, making the three or five regular customers, inside when I visited, more uglier and miserable than ever!
The place is sinking fast by all accounts. Most of his previous customers have nestled down in either the Walnut Tree or O'Neils round the corner vowing never to return because of the Landlords attitude. I can quite believe it. The beer was not up to much and the dearest around. Shame, with the right person in charge this place could make it.
12 Apr 2009 11:19
A refreshing change from the other locals. Quick service and beer not too bad.
27 Feb 2009 12:53
'Best pub in a radius of 5 miles. Excellent beer at all times'.
HOW CAN THIS STATEMENT BE TRUE IF THE PLACE IS SHUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE GONE SKINT?
THE ARE NOT SELLING ANY BEER DIMWIT!
23 Feb 2009 10:44
Well Martin a good pub should have easy accessible WC's and welcome everyone including homosexuals. (see the homphobic comments made below). If this was a good pub it would not be closed now?
6 Feb 2009 10:48
Landlord, never in the history of toilets in pubs has a Landlord closed the place down because the staff did not want to clean them. We have hygiene regulations back home and am sure you have here. Look the word up in the dictionary mate, it is to do with cleanliness, something that your place lacks as a whole. I only go in your place with a few mates now and then to laugh at the state of the place. We only drink the bottled stuff as your glasses have normally got bits of lip left on them. I know how to run a business as I employ 20 people back home and one of them keeps our office toilets spotless. I can run my business from here. This is not about me Landlord. It is about your failed pub and your lack of care for your customers.
4 Feb 2009 10:05
Blow me, went to try this hell hole again for a laugh (the bogs saga was a real joke) and the place is closed down as the have all gone bankrupt according to the bloke who lives next door. Having read the comments by the owner below and how he treats his punters wit utter contempt is it no wonder that they have gone skint? If you cannot afford the run the place and turn the lights on mate why are you there presiding over a sinking ship? As for promising to do work on the place there is an old saying 'the road to disaster is paved with good intention'.
You do not deserve to succeed with a crap attitude to your customers like that mate. In Australia we would call you a Pipey as you are only a Pipe Dreamer and have no idea what the hell you are doing. You must be the only pub in the UK where you have to make an appointment to have a dump. When are you starting your bus driving course?
3 Feb 2009 18:03
Are you thick, filthy or both Lizi82? Your grovelling drivel ends with the words 'What more can you need'. How about a clean toilet? Is that too much to ask for in a pub? So what if someone leaving it in a mess? There would certainly be a mess if someone ended up getting caught short you imbecile!
The rest of your comments especially about limited paint colours is a load of rubbish! Where is that written in the Local Authority Conservation Documentation? It is all about spending money which the current owner will not do. Pathetic!
11 Sep 2008 16:15
Best pub for miles and I should know as I love my real ale!
19 Aug 2008 11:19
The Pig and Whistle, Walthamstow
Ha ha ha the last entry says it all! Pie Chips and Salad! That great old East End dish! What a laugh! This is probably the worse excuse for a pub around. It isn't a real pub anyhow having been a couple of old shops. What is famous about it anyway? It is only infamous as being one of the worse in the area. I mean what other pub closes on a Saturday as it has recently?
I must pop in and have a Pie Chips and Salad and maybe some tartar sauce and anchovy dressing on the side! They do a two for one meal deal now and then but the trouble is they can never get two people in there at once.
19 Aug 2008 11:18
Dreadful place full of losers and alcoholics. Had a pint of bitter which was not great. A fight strated brewing so I left.
20 Apr 2008 15:34
The Travellers Friend, Woodford Green
Have not visited this pub since before Christmas I think. Popped in the other day and it was full of the regular crowd of people who seem to have their head up their own backsides and will not let you near the bar to get a drink. Was not greeted yet again by any of the staff who did their usual blank stare as you enter. Beer was in great condition though which made up for having to share the bar area with a bunch of red faced misfits alot of who were worse for wear.
20 Apr 2008 15:32
Don't go to this pub if you get short for a number two! They have shut down the toilets in the gents because someone keeps crapping on the seat or something! Madness or what? Beer was ok though!
20 Apr 2008 15:26
Gigalo, you are not being fair by saying the pub has gone down hill because it has not and although i've had a meal once or twice that was not up to scratch, the place is still the best pub around for miles!
Why on earth would Noel want to ruin the place? It certainly shows your ignorance by making such wild allegations. You obviously have never run a pub or any type of business as what your conclusions are nonsense.
So you have had difficulty communicating with the staff, I think the latest lot are great and when I complained about food in the past they have changed it. It is a pub, what do you expect for a meal that costs around seven pounds? Having moved to the area about a year ago, I have not found any other pub around to beat it. If you have a problem you should speak to the owner and not whinge about it as how can he put things right?
20 Apr 2008 15:23
After coming in this place, one feels like hanging yourself with your bootlaces.
14 Dec 2007 18:22
Shoelaces? After you have been in here you feel like hanging yourself with your shoelaces.
14 Dec 2007 18:21
Went to watch my beloved team play Orient and popped in this dive. Can't say a good word about it. The place has the worse Christmas decorations I have ever seen. Beer was terrible and expensive. Was told by a local that the Landlord has the weirdest haircut in Leyton. Can't even get that right?
14 Dec 2007 18:19
Been using this on and off over past couple months and noticed the staff have changed. The Chinese girls have gone and service not as good. Can be bit loud at lunchtimes if you want a pint and read of the paper and peace and quiet, as few rough types tend to shout at each other. We had an awful meal in there the other day. Bread was stale in my sandwich and chips cremated. My partners roast dinner was cold. The Polish girl said they had a new cook. Still the best beer around and much nicer than the place up the road. It is annoying when you have to go past the smokers right outside and breath that stuff in.
14 Dec 2007 17:58
Every one told me that this was the best place around the area. I dont think you can call it a proper 'pub', stupid tablecloths and the like. All very tacky. Didnt like the general feel to the place. Tarty barmaids, that get your drink wrong. Beer wasnt up to much either. Busy place but uncomfortable, not like the Kings Head Chingford. A couple of people told me that there has been a spate of armed robberies outside in full view of everybody. There seemed to be groups of hoodie types lurking when I left.
3 Dec 2007 17:55
This was recommended to me by a friend who lives nearby. I found it to be one of the nicest places I have been to in the whole of the Borough. The Local Councillor was in there when I first visited, so it must be good. Got excellent service by one of the two lovely barmaids. Had an excellent pint of Hoggoblin and a crab sandwich which was great value. Other pubs would be wise to visit this place as an example. It is the only place that my girlfriend wants to come back to!
30 Nov 2007 17:34
The Travellers Friend, Woodford Green
It is indeed the case that those who use the pub like I do (not every evening), are not greeted with a smile or words of kindness or welcome. This is a minor point. If those concerned practiced smiling in front of a mirror and just saying 'Hello, how are you', things would be much better. I have not been turned down by any member of staff and it has suprised me that you would even make such a suggestion and I really do not know what you are implying. I must admit that the larger of the two seems more appealing after a few pints of your fine ale. I want to enjoy your establishment and these little deatails would vastly improve things. Merry christmas to you all and let us please see an improvement.
30 Nov 2007 17:16
Went there when it was Blue Mondays (was that the colour of the pill for that day?) Still the same. Full of people you see on Chav TV programmes and Big Brother and try to avoid generally in life. Owners of expensive cars on HP or Lease Hire. Wannabees of no substance. At least it keeps these orange coloured idiots in one place and not nice pubs, a few of which still exist. One girls said 'Jade Goody comes in ere'. Well that is one good reason not to go there!
27 Nov 2007 16:12
Fake tans, fake jewellery, general fakes, doughnuts for brains, dreadful place. It is just dire.
27 Nov 2007 16:00
The Warren Wood, Buckhurst Hill
Full of shouting plastic Gangsters. Buy anything here except decent beer. Obviously on the verge of being knocked down for another block of flats.
27 Nov 2007 15:56
The Travellers Friend, Woodford Green
If you are into spanking come here, because never will you see more of a smacked backside. It is on the face of the Landlady. Been drinking in here on and off for years. Only here for the beer which is great. Her husband is lovely chap but the words 'hello, how are you, can I help you' are unknown to her. the larger daughter takes after her mum.
27 Nov 2007 15:45
You must be brain dead to get a job in here. When you gain experience you can qualify for McDonalds.
Waited 20 minutes to be seated even though the place was practically empty. 'Not my section' said the half-wit waitress who was picking her teeth.
I took one look at the dried out grub and decided it was time for a diet anyhow.
27 Nov 2007 15:38
The Duke of Edinburgh, Wanstead
Horrible pub, full of horrible people. Why on Earth would anyone drink in here when you can go 30 seconds up the road to civilisation? Never have two contrasting pubs been so near to each other.
27 Nov 2007 15:35
Back to rogerthedodger's profile
The Cricketers, Woodford
Gave this another go in recent months. This place seems to be getting quieter by the week, there was absolutely nobody in the public bar in the last few times I've gone in during the week and it is best to go in the saloon bar if you prefer not to be alone, then again that bar seems to be used by single blokes mature who stare into their beer like they are going to dive in it. The little owner is still as unfriendly and miserable as sin but his skinny and lanky son seems much friendlier and taller than him! Maybe their milkman was called Lofty. The other barman is huge like a man mountain but very friendly and polite. Maybe the owner can ask him for tips. This is a good location but doesn't have much going for it at the moment, they don't even cook food at dinner time as the ovens go off at lunch time which is daft in this day and age. The beer I had was alright but quite expensive compared to the George down the road. They got rid of all the sport now and weekends people watch the sport on portable screens.
13 Mar 2015 07:20