Railway Tavern

The Railway @ Euxton offers a fantastic menu for a pub, and its substantial gluten-​free menu drew us in for dinner while visiting the area. Our son enjoyed the steak pie, and refused to share. I had the Lancashire Hotpot, which was supposed to be swapped for ½ of the steak pie, and it was good but not quite as good as Nan’s. Our gluten-​free companion was overwhelmed by the number of choices that were gluten-​free, and chose the fish pie — which she thoroughly enjoyed. Followed up by a delicious sticky toffee pudding and a gluten-​free iced lemon and Grand Marnier mousse, we wobbled out quite content. With Hobgoblin, Cumberland, and a guest ale on tap, there’s plenty to try while searching for that perfect pint. The restaurant was clean, the staff were all smiles, there was a small beer garden outside, and the pub was clearly separate from the restaurant. The establishment is now called «The Railway @ Euxton», so the Railway Tavern name shown onb Unilocal is a bit dated.

Having read some great reviews of this place, and had some personal recommendations from family and friends, I booked a table for 2 for 5.30pm on Sunday, looking forward to enjoying a place that serves a roast dinner beyond 3 in the afternoon!
When my partner and I arrived, the restaurant was practically empty and we were seated at a table in the middle of the dining area. Our waitress pointed out the day’s specials (roasts are up on the blackboard) and very quickly brought our drinks order. A few minutes later, a family of 4 (including 2 toddlers, one using a highchair) were seated at the table right next to us. As we’d gone out for a quiet meal (and a break from noisy toddlers!) we apologised for seeming rude and moved tables. The family agreed they couldn’t understand why they’d been put right next to us when the place was empty, and said they’d actually specifically requested a corner table for their kids to make as much noise as they wanted without disturbing other diners… So that was the first gripe.
Our starter of «mixed breads and crisp breads» arrived as a small wooden board with 4 chunks of (admittedly tasty and fresh) different breads, with 3 very small pots of oil/​aioli and none of the advertised crispbreads. As our plates were being removed, we were immediately asked if we were ready for our main meals; staff were fine when we asked if we could have a few minutes breather and a chance to enjoy our drinks.
And then our roasts arrived… Well, I have to say I’ve seen more meat in a Birds Eye «Frozen Dinner for One». 3 small, thin slices of beef, served with a Yorkshire pudding and 3 roast potatoes. Vegetables (which are served in separate ceramic dishes) comprised a dish of cauliflower cheese (which was delicious) and another, with about 6 baby carrots and barely enough mixed green veg (courgettes, peas, beans) for us to have a scoopful each.
The meat was very tasty and tender but my partner had devoured it in a few minutes! I took pity on him and gave him the rest of my meat and potatoes, and commandeered the cauliflower cheese as my «main course».
We felt that at £13.95, this offered poor value for money, especially in an area where there are lots of pubs offering «2-​for-​1» Sunday lunch and carvary menus.
There were some nice looking puddings and icecreams on the dessert menu, but seeing as our bill had already reached £40 for the plate of bread, 2 stingy roast dinners, a glass of wine and a pint of lemonade, we decided to give it a miss…
We were so disappointed, as the staff are friendly and efficient, and there is a lovely «buzz» to the dining room, and we may be tempted to go back in the week and see if the normal menu gives you better «bang for your buck» — but we will be trying to sate our Sunday dinner cravings elsewhere!

For pub food you cannot go wrong with the newly refurbished Railway Tavern. Locally sourced produce and freshly cooked by their chefs, the food is a delight. Simple British Fayre like Lancashire cheese and onion tart and Goosnargh cornfed chicken. Always tasty and well presented, served on time and not a frozen chip in sight! The staff are lovely and very welcoming, (no sultry waitresses here) and they are accomodating of children. My favourite is the warm bread served with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and butter. A truly wonderful and relaxed place to eat and a reasonable price to boot.