Pub food and more.

[LifeOnEarth]

Hi all, I’m a long time lurker, sometimes poster but I’ve changed my username for this occasion.

if you went to a pub restaurant for lunch or dinner, what would you like to see on the menu? Would you always go for classic pub grub or would different types of food entice you in? What would make you visit the pub if you had to drive. Would you even visit a pub if you had to drive?

What would you prefer on your table? Mayo and ketchup in their original bottles or decanted into ‘nice’ bottles. Or would you prefer to have your condiments served in a separate dish?

If you’re a woman, would you feel happy walking into a pub on your own? If not, what would make you do that, how would I make you feel comfortable?

Would you take your young children into a pub for a parent toddler meet up? Would you go to an out of town/rural/village pub for a business breakfast (probably via the local chamber of Commerce).

What could I offer you to make you feel comfortable?

Thank you 🥰

I love a good pub, for food, beer and wine and community. I am happy to go by myself with a book but I wouldn’t drive.

I was drawn to your idea of decanted condiments at first, OP, but then I thought that PP who emphasised hygiene probably had a good point, sadly. It is surely easier to wipe down the bottles the condiments come in and keep everything looking fresh.

I like a fairly traditional pub menu with some coherence. I eat meat and fish but also enjoy good vegetarian and vegan food, by which I do not mean fake meat products. I do like tofu and tempeh as ingredients in their own right.

I adore a wonderful medium rare hamburger of say 4-6 oz on a great bun with traditional toppings - eg lettuce, a slice of tomato, a slice of onion, a slice of pickle and some ketchup. Done well this is 100x better than all the huge overcooked burgers with fancy toppings that kill the taste of the beef (and that I cannot get my mouth around). This alone could make your pub!

But traditional food like what’s been described above sounds fabulous if done well. Just don’t try to be all things to all people - have the courage of your convictions, and have fun!

Don’t try and be everything to everyone. Pick what you think you’ll be best at, or meets the local demographic, or offers something different. The pubs I go to now with young children (and friends with dogs) are not the same ones I used to go to, or the ones I go to with mates when I’m childfree.

Gluten free options that are clearly labelled. Have a separate fryer (or make sure anything that goes in the fryer is gluten free). Naturally gluten free food such as meats with rice or potatoes (definitely not gluten free pasta or pizza unless you’re doing an Italian theme pub). I would counter that though with using gluten free flour for battered fish (no taste difference and it makes the batter more crispy), and ensure roasts are free from flour (it’s easy to make gravy and cauliflower cheese gluten free using cornflour). Let the lucky folk who aren’t allergic to the stuff enjoy a proper Yorkshire pudding though - I don’t care I hate the things!!

Decent wine list that’s affordable and has some more exciting options than a NZ sauv/ Fr picpol/Aus Shiraz, etc. Gluten free beer!

I live in central London so there are thousands of pubs in my doorstep that can cater for my every whim. If you’re more suburban or rural then obviously it’s different. If you’re near an attraction then you’ll get an even more varied clientele. If we drive out of London we often seek out pubs that have - good gluten free options, interesting food, good wine, and most importantly a climbing frame for the children so we can have some time in peace!!

Not RTFT, but good vegetarian pub grub. Not vegan.
Something that resembles a square meal.

Not a microwaved spinach and ricotta cannelloni, not a mushroom or butternut risotto, not beetroot anything and no bloody goat's cheese.

A decent veggie roast dinner. I was vegetarian for 15 years and tbh got annoyed watching everyone loving their Sunday roast whereas I usually only had a pasta option (think plain tinned tomatoes mixed in to a bit of spaghetti.

I wanted roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, boiled carrots, roasted carrots, roasted parsnips, peas, a Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, leeks in cheese sauce or cauliflower cheese. I wanted it smothered in gravy with a choice of mustard, horseradish or mint sauce, sod it - cranberry! It doesn't matter what sauce when you don't have meat.

All can be done very easily to suit a vegetarian, remove the dairy and go vegan...

It's sheer laziness on behalf of the restaurant.

I wanted a feast, not pity with everybody grimacing at my pitiful pasta - "Ooh that looks nice" with a - rather you than me face.

Now I want all of the above cooked in dripping and my cow medium rare!

Clean table surfaces
Clean floor under tables
Clean menus

If you manage that you will be in a very small minority 😪

I once went to a pub and saw a waiter absolutely scrubbing the highchair after a family had left. I would travel miles/pay well over the odds for that pub as a result!!

Tacky menus, crumbs on table, bits you can feel beneath your feet .... uuurgh

@poetryandwine what poster thinks in bottle is better ?

Wiping down bottle they don't do...and it would mean more sprays
?

Decant fresh.

Allow adults to have children's portions also eg Sunday roast allow people to eat according to appetite not age .
Music and lighting op.

Cotswolds pubs do cosy well.

Agree!

This is a favourite pub. It is 1/3rd bar and 2/3 restaurant. They offer classics such as steak pie and Sunday roast. The fish board is always fabulous. Think simply cooked lemon sole or the delicious dry rub bream. Not a chain and no microwave dinners! It has the support of locals.
https://thebayhorsemw.co.uk/

Yes, thank you doll. I’ve been in lots of pubs. I’m not trying to compete with Whetherspoons frozen and microwaved food or any food trucks. Why do you think we’re in competition?I’m happy with anyone that wants to eat there, but that’s not what I’m about.

I will come back to this first thing in the morning. Thank you so much to everyone that’s contributed, I will respond to you tomorrow. I really appreciate your input 🥰

I like being able to pick my side. It makes it easier to find a safe dish that is actually appealing.

have access to full ingredient lists so people can ask about allergies.

im happy with simple food done well, but my favorite pub in the entire world is elevated pub food. Things like a cheeseburger served with Brie and fig jam. They were snobby as hell as well, but the food was just so good they were always packed. I moved away or I would still be a regular,

if you went to a pub restaurant for lunch or dinner, what would you like to see on the menu? Would you always go for classic pub grub or would different types of food entice you in?

Like many others I prefer classic choices which are homemade. Simple and affordable options as well as more luxurious things. So for example a good soup, something like egg and chips (ham optional), I’m happy with a lovely homemade toastie or even something possibly bought from a local maker eg homity pie with a nice salad.

When you’re picking your veg options try to remember that many vegetarians are quite health conscious but also like a good dinner as much as the next person. So please don’t give us just yucky fake meat burger and 50 times cooked fries or a huge dish of macaroni cheese (my number one bugbear as I know how cheap it is to make at home!)

Adding to the clamour for veg lasagne! Can’t find it any more. some of the previous suggestions like choice of sausage or pie with mash and veg a great idea.

What would make you visit the pub if you had to drive. Would you even visit a pub if you had to drive?
somewhere really cosy after a good walk, especially if the staff are friendly and there’s a fireplace (with a fire guard)

What would you prefer on your table? Mayo and ketchup in their original bottles or decanted into ‘nice’ bottles. Or would you prefer to have your condiments served in a separate dish?
don’t mind

If you’re a woman, would you feel happy walking into a pub on your own? If not, what would make you do that, how would I make you feel comfortable?
As a PP said dealing with any tosser men would be good. Having some tables or comfy chairs for one would be good. Esp with some light eg a lamp on table for reading. Be friendly to lone visitors.

Would you take your young children into a pub for a parent toddler meet up?
YES and I’d love more pubs to think about this. Please have a play area either in or outdoors (or both). Pubs I like to visit with kids have things like crayons and colouring sheets/plain paper, or one has a delightful toy section with secondhand toys which can be played with there or swapped back to the table. Books too. Nothing noisy for other diners just things like activity cubes for babies, books with soft flaps etc. Having affordable lunch options are important. If you had some kind of bring your child deal on your quiet weekday lunchtime even better, or why not organise a bring your own baby meetup for lonely new parents.

Would you go to an out of town/rural/village pub for a business breakfast (probably via the local chamber of Commerce).
No but I have never had one of these

Decanted condiments for me please (grossed out by shared squeezy bottles).

I would like to see a lighter lunch option, e.g. quiche and salad, crab cake and salad, simple gratin, alongside standard pub grub. This is purely in order to save room for a really delicious pudding.

Being comfortable going into a pub as a woman on her own is about the overall vibe. It needs to feel like a family place with a mix of ages. Somewhere that is a food destination vs. purely a drinking destination. Something like the vibe of a French bar in a small town where you can go in alone for a nice bowl of pasta and glass of red wine and read a book in the window.

If you are considering an out of town/rural location then it becomes more of a special event destination (going out for dinner, Chamber of Commerce event, business breakfast). If you go for a town centre location you would also get casual walk-ins: work lunches/shopping trips, etc.

Allow substitutions and alterations within reason. This is the key selling point for having a kitchen with a chef rather than bought in food.

Two examples from my recent pregnancy:

Went to a pub that serves their burgers medium rare. I really fancied a burger, so asked for one with the patty well done. Can't do that, burgers are served medium rare

Later on I had gestational diabetes and wasn't allowed to eat big portions of carbs (like chips). Pub had chips as the side for the main I wanted, and sauteed green beans for a different meal. I asked if I could have beans instead of chips, and offered to pay the difference. No, the beans were only available for the other meal, and couldn't possibly be served with what I wanted.

I wasn't asking for a list of things as long as my arm - just one substitute and an offer to pay extra.

In my area, a lovely country pub has been taken over and like so many places now it's serving American diner food.

Wings and burgers etc.

It doesn't suit the surroundings and the food is crap now. :(

I want home made veg lasagne.

Veggie not vegan.

A good fish option, preferably more than one.

Bangers and mash

Pies including a good veggie one

No blaring music.

No fake meat unless at a push, veggie sausages.

Years ago there was a great pub we used to go for lunch from work. It did massive Yorkshire puds, sausage (veg/other), gravy and mash. It was a very limited menu but it was lovely and reasonably priced.

Obviously want friendly staff and as a woman, if you have men who like to prop the bar up, give us a separate place to order from for meals or table service.

Happy to pay for good food.

Good coffee as I like an espresso as a desert sometimes.

No sticky menus or tables.

Clear allergy info too please. Do not present customers with a huge folder and leave them to it.

Oh and local produce used on the menu would appeal to me.

And if you offer jacket potatoes, for the love of god they must not be microwaved!

Oh one other request - a small but thoughtful children’s menu - maybe just a small version of a couple of other meals and a tomato pasta or something. Not having to bring my own food, books and toys means I can just come and enjoy myself!

Can I also suggest a decent range of alcohol free drinks, not just the usual coke and lemonade etc but maybe Crawford press range type thing, and also perhaps some alcohol free alternative botanicals eg mother root, Sentia.

Shepherds pie.
Plenty of gravy
Condiments in original bottles and no being tight with the mint sauce by only serving it with lamb or mustard only with beef.
No children or at least some kind of seperate room for families with small children (like my local does, they all get shoved in the conservatory and the door closed firmly)

I want food on normal plates, hearty things like sausages, a pie, or Sunday roast on Sundays. A big pile of veg and generous gravy. Pubs that are mean about gravy depress me. A bowl of soup or stew is nice in winter. I also like pubs that look like pubs, not airports, myself. I can't hear anything in modern interiors and they are so hard and uncomfortable. I want to relax in a pub and spend a few hours there. A lovely fire. No blaring tv or music - I like my family and friends and would like to talk to them.

I don't drive to pubs, but I walk to ours that's up in the hills. It's a lovely walk. There's another pub in the "town" and they have little maps with a walk up to one in the tops on it for visitors. It's a nice friendly thing.

Yes to actual plates! Round plates too. None of this oblong nonsense where you can't cut anything up!

I go for a pub lunch most weeks with my DH. I prefer traditional pub fayre rather than the overpriced gastro pub meals, that a lot of our local pubs have started introducing. Think high class restaurant prices for fancy sounding menus, but low quality cooking and ingredients.

One thing that really puts me off a pub is large plates of food. A lot of us are on wli’s and only need a small plate of food. Some pubs seem to cater for this with their pensioner meals. I’m not a pensioner, but ask for the smaller meal anyway.
Although I like traditional meals, tapas type dishes would work well. At least then you could mix and match, depending on your appetite.

Another thing. A dedicated gluten free fryer. One of my DC is coeliac and the gluten free menu is usually pretty poor. Even if there isn’t gluten in a product ( say chips), they can’t have it because of cross contamination in the fryers.

Vegan option at all courses and for the Sunday roast. Olives don’t count as a starter.
Vegan main that isn’t a burger or fake meat of some kind. Vegans want vegetables and beans not just bloody moving mountains burgers!
Vegan pudding that isn’t a gluten free chocolate torte from the freezer.