Turnpike Tavern

The food has much improved over recent months and the staff are normally friendly. Only had one meal there that was a bit suspect. It was the consistency of uncooked savoury rice and was completely in edible. The tables are not as sticky as they used to be. Not quite four stars yet. A little way to go.

Getting to this pub is a bit tricky. Maybe I came from the wrong direction but when you have to consult a train station map and then scurry under a motorway to get there, it’s not worth it. The Turnpike Tavern is a big chain pub (I forget which chain exactly because I was too busy looking at my feet) that sits amongst foliage by the approach to the M62.
There’s nothing particularly wrong with the place, it’s just that it belongs to that species of soulless family eateries, the kind that begin to fade from your memory seconds after you leave. I doubt anybody has great memories from these pubs. They’re much too bland for that.
Saying that though, as the winner of the Sunday quiz, I have a coupon for a free drink so will have to go back at some point. Now, if only I knew how to get there…

Once a pub always a pub… or so it should be. Sadly in this day and age all too many pubs try to generate more revenue by going down the «food» route. I have eaten there two or three times as it just around the corner. First time it was nice with good food and a nice atmosphere. The second time the only feature of the place was the sticky tables that were stickier than the toffee pudding. The final time was against my better judgement. My daughter ordered chicken piri piri which was new on the menu. Oh dear ! It turned out to be Batchelors savoury rice with a handful of curry powder thrown on top. Completely inedible… never again.