The Hooden Bar & Grill Reviews Summary

Atmosphere & Aesthetics

Pros:

• "Really liked the atmosphere here and I liked overall aesthetic of the business!"
• "The atmosphere is unbeatable."
• "Lovely atmosphere very friendly."
• "Was a lovely atmosphere even though they were very busy."
• "Nice atmosphere, great garden with lots of different spaces and a play area that could do with a little TLC."
• "Nice relaxed environment, and nice atmosphere."
• "the atmosphere was cosy and nice."

Cons:

• "Parking can be an issue when it gets busy."
• "We sat in the garden with terrible music blaring."
• "Freezing cold inside. Two wood stoves unlit."
• "Unfortunately the most uncomfortable seating outdoors."
• "Food was appalling! Cold and burnt pizza (£11 for a pizza that looked like a kids pizza)"
• "The food was burnt, and portions were sloppy and thrown on the plate."
• "Additionally to make it worse the land lord berated my 10 year old nephew, reducing him to tears."

Service & Staff

Pros:

• "Good customer service, and friendly staff."
• "The two ladies who were serving were very friendly and welcoming."
• "The service is fantastic. Jack is always so tentative and polite."
• "Great food and great service."
• "The young waiter was so professional and friendly."
• "All the serving staff are polite and nothing is too much."
• "Our waitress was very friendly and helpful."

Cons:

• "It should not have taken almost an hour to receive our starters."
• "Still took 15 minutes or more to be served with drinks."
• "Service was really slow, we waited well over an hour for food & then the starter turned up with the main."
• "As service was so bad I decided to pay at the bar."
• "The front of house staff didn't seem to be very attentive either, we waited 25 minutes for our first drinks."
• "Staff disinterested... The waitress said she knew it wasn't what was orders but brought it over anyway."
• "The lack of customer service was a bit of a let down, very polite but not very attentive."

Food Quality & Taste

Pros:

• "The food is always satisfying and the general friendly atmosphere has never changed."
• "Soft moist meat and generous portions."
• "Amazing food. I've lived close to the hooden for 4 years... especially the steaks. They are so nice."
• "The food, if a little expensive, was really nice and tasty."
• "We absolutely loved our meals! The chicken was so moist and full of flavour as was the lamb."
• "The food was delicious."
• "Food is fantastic and the staff are really friendly and helpful."

Cons:

• "Slaw was the worst slaw we ever have had... it had bits of broccoli and wholegrain mustard in, not nice at all."
• "Meats very dry, burger was not homemade... again as dry as the smoked meats."
• "The pulled pork was bland."
• "Portion size was ridicules and the gravy was just water with no colour or task."
• "The beef was slimy and the turkey was dry."
• "The chicken was very dry."
• "Ribs were dry and bland. Some tough. Very poor."

Value & Pricing

Pros:

• "lunch menu is great and reasonably priced."
• "The food was really well priced and 2 of us ate with drinks for about £25."
• "The drinks are reasonably priced."
• "Half price menu on Mondays what's not to love."
• "The midweek lunch menu is good value and I always recommend people to visit."
• "Food is munch! I had the ribs which were nice, big plate of food."
• "The food was delicious, came out to us very quickly and was reasonably priced."

Cons:

• "The share platter was advertised for two, but it was barely enough for one and it cost £35!"
• "The prices are phenomenal £3+ for a coke!!!"
• "Overpriced, then not able to serve food due to how busy it was and waited an hour before I gave up and left."
• "Average meal that's not on the lunch pathetic menu is £17 Plus considering the portion size and the quality my child was still hungry."
• "I do not agreed with the 10% service charge being added to the bill automatically."
• "But the food is not worth the price at all, I would not order the platter again, cheap meat and doesn't look very nice on the plate either."
• "If your hungry, don’t bother going here! Portions are pathetically small."

Facilities & Amenities

Pros:

• "a massive garden with play area for older kids with a handy separate play area for the smaller ones to enjoy."
• "Good for children with a large garden with activities."
• "It has a lovely outside area and play area for children."
• "Lovely!! Such a lovely beer garden and great atmosphere with the garden bar as well."
• "Plus there is a cool little outside area to watch sports (BT Sports)."
• "Very large outdoor seating area, perfect for covid restrictions."
• "Great gardens with a few places for kids to play (both secure) and a really nice pub."

Cons:

• "Parking can be an issue when it gets busy."
• "Only 2 staff on, on a Sunday on a beautiful day. Management need to sort staffing."
• "Only downside is the parking is rubbish and when we came back to the car, our car was blocked in so slight effort/shimmey to get out out!"
• "Parking is limited but we park on one way road out side or walk."
• "Only downside is no parking."
• "Unfortunately it's a small place and there was a big table behind us, so we felt a bit squashed and a little bit of an afterthought."
• "Why can't they put leaflets through people's letter boxes to let them know they are holding a private event."