please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
I agree with Roy22's review, except food wasn't being served when I visited. The pub is a beacon in this area and contrasts to the grim Soho Tavern I had to walk past to get here. The beer is excellent with a good range of real ales. Check the opening times before you come. On Saturday, the pub closed at 3:00 and reopened at 7:00ish.
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Our first visit was an interesting experience. Expecting a classic Victorian Boozer, and certainly pretty externally, the décor felt very much 1970s. Brasses and plates on the wall, dusty ornaments, a clock like your parents used to have, it certainly felt like we were still in those days, and the 70s soundtracks playing when we arrived certainly added to that feeling!
Staff were friendly and attentive, there was a good selection of real ales and these were in good (but not in our opinion ‘best’) condition. The Ansells Mild was very drinkable, offerings from York and Leeds Breweries were likewise good, but the Taylor’s Landlord was bland whereas when ‘on form’ it is a fantastic pint. With a number of Birmingham and Walsall pubs now rapidly turning over beers in near perfect condition, I think the bar has been raised in terms of what real ale devotees now expect.
Clientele on a Saturday night were mostly middle to older age. Plenty of food was being served in the many cosy little seating areas which surrounded the central bar, no doubt an economic necessity for boozers these days. Although we didn’t sample it, the food appeared basic pub grub tailored to the slightly older age group they seem to have. Our only criticism on this front was that it was being served throughout. This is only our personal opinion, but when drinking we don’t like to smell and watch other peoples dinners, but it was impossible to escape this in such a cosy little boozer.
Overall, a friendly little place with reasonable real ale, which put a smile on your face as much because of its quaintness as of anything else. A two minute straight-line walk from Soho (Benson Rd) tram station, this is easily accessible and we shall definitely return.
Roy22 - 20 Jul 2008 12:52 |
Ansells Mild at its very best. A quality, well maintained pub, which stands in stark contrast to the sad, neglected, Soho Tavern over the road. 'A Must' - can i say more?
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another once great Birmingham pub that has dropped off in quality recently. The beer is still of a decent standard but the food has definatly gone from great to poor over the last three years. It used ot be the best place around for food, but I've increasingly been dissapoibted with my meals here of late. Hopefull Tony will turn it around but i'll be waiting until one of my friends tells me it's improved before I return. Could (and used to) do better!
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Most consistent beer in Birmingham with some good back up in terms of the food. Check pub hours though as not as extensive as many these days. Near metro station which is also useful.
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I wholly recommend this pub for its charm atmosphere great beer and food, what else more do you want from a lunch time or evening night out.
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Just had Xmas dinner there for the 3rd Year running, so inexpensive, fantasist Victorian decorations.
Tim Taylors in top form, as was the Ansells Mild.
Only bug bear its that you have to book the next years dinner, before you leave, otherwise its take what is left.
But I have never had a poor meal, or a off pint.
Thanks to the Gaffer Tony ,and all the staff for such a friendly service, and good grub.
Birmingham best kept gem of a pub.
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Was here on Boxing Day before WBA V Bristol City. Again Timmy Taylor was on form (just like the Baggies!).
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This is, with the Barton's Arms, possibly the best pub in Birmingham. The food is usually spot on (and a very good choice), and the Ale (esp Landlord - Timmy Taylor) top notch. A great place to come before WBA home games, and even better in the week. Barstaff are usually friendly as is the Landlord (Tony?).
Rightly called a gem in an industrial backwater on Soho/Hockley near Benson Road tram stop.
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What a gem of a find in the deepest parts of Birmingham. Timothy Taylor Land lord Bitter was wassaling, the Ansell Mild spot on, and as for dinner. plain simply English fare, just what you want to when enjoying the ambiance of the pub. What you see is what you get, simply and honest ale and food.
Book me a place lam coming back for sure !
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i cant believe you had such a bad time at the black eagle.i was there for a family meal on saturday evening and as always the real ale,food and staff were brilliant.one of the best pubs in the west midlands.
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Maybe I went on a bad day but I promise you that the food and ale were awful. I apologise if i upset you but when i went it was horrificly bad. I feel like I should give it another go, but I'm afraid it'll be as bad the next time I go. Well, i suppose a cheeky pint can't hurt can it?
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i can not believe the last comment left about this pub.this has to be one of the top 3 pubs in birmingham for real ale and the top pub for food.the mixed grill is excellent and the steak pie is wonderfull.on my last visit for a family meal on saturday evening the beer and food were as always top notch and fantastic value for money.And as alway the staff were very friendly and couldnt do enought for you.keep up the good work tony and all at the black eagle.you are a credit to birmingham.
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I was so very let down with this pub. Everything I'd heard made it out to be a lovely pub with friendly staff and locals with great beer and food. However upon my visit nothing lived up to the reputation. The bar staff were slow and incredibly grumpy (Tony the landlord was pleasent enough but he only floated past once) the beer was passable but the food was awful; a friend of mine had the mixed grill the type of which would have been rejected at any greasy spoon cafe around the country, nobodys food arrived at the same time even though it had all been ordered together. I will not be going to this pub ever again and will certainly be telling people to avoid it.
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This is one of the better pubs around the area it is a real pub.
O n lunchtimes you get office workers rammed having lunch.
The ansells mild is well kept and so are all the guest ales.
If you want to come for a decent pint and a meal this is the place at moderate prices well run,not like some of the pubs in the area
anonymous - 26 Mar 2007 17:28 |
An Oaisis in a desert, this pub is well run, it has a wandering garden with many unusual varietys of plants slightly compact but nice, Extreemly good food, A true Homely pub with character, locals are a good bunch, 2 rooms with an open fire in the winter. Plus a long extension for a restruant.
Would definately take the wife and friends, would like more real ales here, but a proper CAMRA pub. a must visit.
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As stated previously - Great Pub and Food
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Great old fashioned style boozer, but nice and comfortable. Full of friendly and cheerful customers. The gaffer Tony is always a great host. The beer is some of the best kept bitters in all of Birmingham if not the country!
The restaurant hidden away on the back of the pub is often fully booked because of the great food they serve.
anonymous - 19 Nov 2005 13:38 |
Simply the best pub in Birmingham. Timothy Taylor's Landlord, Marston's Pedigree and about four other real beers in a real pub. Oh and the food is excellent too.
40069 - 13 Aug 2005 13:39 |
