The Buck Inn, Thorpe St Andrew

DON'T COMPLAIN!

10/08/08-Sunday

When pat used to run The Buck, you could rely on friendly and efficient service and if (on very rare occasions) anything was unsatisfactory, it would be corrected to everyones satisfaction amicably and without delay.

NOT NOW!! Today, I complained about the quality of the service and the food, AND I GOT ATTACKED BY THE LANDLORD!

I had gone to The Buck with my 11 yr old daughter at 2.20pm. We went to the bar and ordered two soft drinks and two roast beef dinners. We took our drinks and sat at a table in the pub. By 3.00pm, our meals had still not arrived and on asking the barman, how much longer it would be, was told that ours would be next out. I decided to have a cigarette outside, whilst waiting and there being no ashtray or bin anywhere in sight, had to resort to the ground.

The meals finally arrived at 3.15pm, consisting of three slices of roast beef, one yorkshire pud., cabbage, cauliflour, french beans and " roast " pots, all covered in gravy. Both my daughter and myself had difficulty in cutting the meat which was all covered in gristle. The pots., were not roasted but deep fried ready made roasts.

I called over the waitress and complain that the meat was too tough to eat, and she responded that she would get the chef. On repeating my complaint to the chef, I was told in an arrogant tone, "No - one else has complained". I replied that I would like a refund (we had payed �9.90 in advance) and was told in no uncertain terms "You are not getting a refund". And with that, the chef and waitress walked away. So I decided to take a slice of meat from each plate and two pots.,to wrap the in a napkin, to take with me. As I was doing this, an aggressive man ( the landlord) came over and got hold of my hand and tried to take the package away from me. I said to my daughter who was witnessing this whole incident, to call the police on my mobile. At this the landlord let go of my hand. Some gravy dripped onto the table and the seat from my package.

The whole time the landlord was being abusive and using language not suitable for minors. He told me to get out and that I was barred!

As we walked to my car he followed and said he wanted paying for the cleaning of the table and the seat and called me arrogant and rude! So I offered him my card so he could send me the bill and as he walked away he called me a 'miserable b**tard. My daughter called out 'lovely language' and he responded with 'shut up kid'.

I have been in catering for over 40 years and currently operate a catering business serving in excess of 25,000 meals per year. We pride ourselves on customer service and quality product.

The landlord and chef of the Buck could do with some lessons!

10 Aug 2008 18:18