The Orchard Beefeater

Although I like it here The whole experience was uncomfortable. The staff were doing their best, BUT Next to us was an Asian family who were being rude to the waitress and manager, by complaining about the food they just ate and not wanting to pay the full amount! They had vouchers and asked to pay only £2.00 for their meals. They were also very LOUD and very dirty as they put their baby on the table who was in a nappy! I really want the management to ban people like this, and allow better people in and not free loaders who spoil everyone else’s meal by making a nuisance of themselves. I don’t think I will return as the management don’t seem to care about customers who are quite willing to pay the full price! Time to man up and stop sending out money off vouchers as this attracts a lot of “scum”

My first time here, and my last (June 2023). A very mixed bag. Starting with the positive: big car park, lovely grounds, spacious interior that was comfortable in the 29 degree heat outside, very pleasant accommodating waitress called Eva. Gin tonic nice and cold in a large wine glass. Sirloin steak was very tasty. House coleslaw was fresh, though under-seasoned. Negative: if I hadn’t had good genuine nachos in California , I would never order them again based on Beefeater’s version. The deconstructed guacamole was a big fail, especially with totally flavourless fresh tomato and no discernible lemon juice to brighten it. The triple-cooked chips were utterly bland, needing ketchup to taste of anything, and were 100 calories *more* than the skinny chips! The pepper sauce for my steak had only a few peppercorns in it and, if made in house, was probably thickened with flour rather than reduced; had an out-of-the-packet consistency and flavour. I’m 75 and disabled, and my walking frame caught on the entry carpet which rucked up. I could have so easily fallen! Greeter said it was the first time that had happened, didn’t show the least concern. Not good enough. I wonder if they will correct the problem?

Such a shame! I've been coming to the beefeater for the last 30+ years but not been since the whole COVID thing and decided to come this evening as I've been wanting to visit for a bit. I feel gutted at how bad this place has become. The two ladies serving are doing their best but it's an impossible ask to expect them to take orders, bring food, clean up and take payment. There is a feeling that either management or higher up want this place to go down to the point of being unviable so they can sell it off for development. My starter was fair though not the crunchy coated wings I expected; more soggy but at least a modicum of flavour. My main however was dreadful: The lettuce was old, dried, brown and completely unappealing, the fries were cold; having seen our meal sitting at the food station for a long period of time waiting to be collected by the staff, the jacket potato the same and the chicken just covered in BBQ sauce in some vain attempt at imparting some flavour. My partner's burger was just about edible though the bun itself felt like it had just been defrosted. I complained to the manger who was amiable though didn't seem surprised so no doubt I'm not the first to raise an issue. I'm so disappointed to have had this experience, I have really fond memories of coming here on early dates with my partner, birthday celebrations, getting to know old members of staff like Mo, Anne, Emily and Linda, being somewhere to go for a dinner after a long day at work knowing we'd get a good feed at a reasonable price but I feel this will be the last time I go there for a meal unless something dramatic happens to improve it. The ladies serving us couldn't have done more, they're trying to do their best and i feel bad for them that they're being let down by incompetent management. I really hope there's improvement.

Nice looking place but incredibly there was only 1 member of staff working on a Sunday morning! The manager wasn't in until 11.30 and the poor waitress was run ragged and understandably grumpy. Waited ages for our food which after an hour and a half didn't turn up and there was no juice out or plates for toast etc. The place is clearly very very poorly managed! We walked out after our ridiculously long wait. Terrible.

Lovely beefeater restaurant which is easily accessible. Were short staffed on my visit, but this didn't affect service. Food was the normal beefeater fare with vegetarian and vegan options available which was good. Let down by the Chef arguing with a manager in the kitchen during service which was audible throughout the restaurant area.