please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Vast improvement over previous visits. Great pint of London Pride which was in Tip Top Condition. Two pleaseant friendly Girls behind the bar providing Service with a smile. Tables were regulary emptied of glasses and the food seemed to be served until quite late. WELL DONE TO THE NEW OWNERS - who have done wonders to make this pub more Customer Friendly - judging by the number of patrons there last night. Merry Xmas to ALL.
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Took my wife to the Royal Stag for an early pre-theatre meal on a Saturday evening. Service efficient but not over-friendly. No problem with pint glasses being short-filled. Food good and reasonably priced. £10.50 for three excellent lamb cutlets, potato rossi and selection of veg. £3.50 for hot puddings and custard/cream. Decor a little scruffy (perhaps 'with character'). Will visit again.
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Had several nice pints of London Pride here last night whilst my friends enjoyed Pedigree which was also top notch. Shame the same cannot be said about the Bar Staff. I waited over 10 mins to be served there were thre staff on but only one serving! One was intent on filling up the bottle Fridge while the other was hiding. when I did get served all three pints were "Short" by quite a long way. I thought this was a one off but we had six pints each and EVERY one needed to be topped up (we were served by all three staff during the course of the night). Having said that the beers were always topped up without a fuss. I suggest anyone who goes here just watches that point. The staff were also slow to clear away empty glasses and used food plates. On the subject of the food the people on the next table had breaded fish which was served a very dark brown leaving me to think it may have been reheated in the frier!!! a point worth remembering. I give it a 7 for beer and atmosphere but not much for service I am afraid
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The original part of the building has character with low beamed ceilings, wooden floors a fireplace and lots of paintings, photos and maps of the locality, including a framed letter from Queen Victoria who judging by the writing may well have trained as a doctor. I sort of see why the more modern areas have been designed to match the original but fake ceiling beams in straight sawn timber stained up do not look vaguely convincing.
A more modern feeling area to the rear has a dartboard, and there is outside seating to the rear side area.
As a freehouse however I'd hope for a more adventurous selection than Pride, OSH, Adnams Broadside, although there was a proper Addlestone's cider on too. Oh, and yes, I did need to ask for a top up.
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As previously stated the Windsor Pub Co now own The Stag, However the same Bar Staff seem to be there and the London Pride still excellant at £2.75 a pint (Adnams Broadsword and a Cider also available on Hand Pump). However I feel I must advise readers of two areas of concern since my January Visit. One some of the Bar staff do not know the meaning of a "Pint" I went to the Bar on two occassions for Three pints and had to ask all the pints to be topped up on both visits. they were all at least a quater of an inch short.. Also being a Friday Night every table both inside and out were occupied except one, great we thought even though it was outside the Kitchen. Then we knew why, the kitchen staff had music (well really it was just a loud Noise) playing at full volume which when the door opened drowned out all conversation and the pubs background music.Take a tip from me and stay clear of the rear seating area. New menu now with some exciting and reasonably priced dishes on it. Well worth a return visit.
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As previous comments state, this pub has been recently taken over by the Windsor Pub Co. I have never been a fan of pub chains (however small).
The beer here has always been fairly good and there has never been a problem swapping beers over in the case of a dodgy one. For the non-beer drinking fraternity there is also excellent Guinness and a good selection of lagers as well as a very good selection of wines. Definitely not a choice of red or white here!
Quiz nights on Tuesday are enjoyable and extremely competitive.
I have had several “snack” meals here recently and found them to be good.
They have recently cleaned the place up. The antique champagne boxes in the walls have been cleaned up and the black and white paint has been removed.
I think it is a case of “watch this space” to see how this pub develops.
I am certainly not anti-Welsh, being part welsh myself however I am quite glad to an improvement all around since the previous manageress has left.
colen - 11 Apr 2009 13:14 |
Ate in here for the fist time in about six months recently - beer was fine but the food was still dire and we complained. Met the new manager who apologised profusely for the quality of the food, refunded more than we had spent and bought us a round. Can't his attitude to customer service which was a marked improvement on the previous management.
It's been taken over by Windsor Pub Co who run the Royal Oak, St. George, Horse & Groom and Bar 51. Not sure yet whether this is a change for the better but we'll give it another go in a few weeks.
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I was last here in July 2008 and November 2008 (see reviews), went back again last night and had a great night again (vast improvement) cannot compare the past like moggymooe can as I last used this pub at lunch times when I worked in the area about 25 years ago. However comparing it with November It was just as good. Not a spare seat in the house for most of the night and plenty more standing. Good, Quick service (if a little unfriendly in that the BArman never spoke or raiseda smile)., however the empties were quickly removed from the tables and the London Pride was Excellant and you now get a full pint without question. Will be back in the summer
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WHAT THE HELL HAS HAPPEND TO THE STAG!!!!
I pass through Datchet frequently on business and used to look forward to stopping off for a spot of lunch and the friendly welcome, i couldn't belive the drastic change of the place, the food was nowhere near the standards and was very overpriced and the welcome was non exsistant compared to when the welsh land lady had it before !!!!!!
It's a shame that the family run pub's are being bought out by the bigger companies, they will be sorley missed.
If any one can let me know where they haved moved to and if they are still in the business i would be truly grateful as i will be taking my custom elsewhere (to them) and im sure a few others will be to.
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There is a very welcome change to this pub. The Old Speckled Hen was really good and there was a decent throughput of people. One old face was still lurking behind the bar but even he seems to have changed for the better. Let's hope they can keep it up and maybe we can start drinking there again rather than going into Windsor!
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Went here last night (Fiday) it was packed all night, unfortunately there were four drinkers at the bar who were rather loud and it was hard to make yourself heard above them. Nice pint of London Pride (although the Bar Staff stll need a talking to about short measures). No bell at the end of the evening they just open up the Patio Doors and let the cold air in. Otherwise an enjoyable evening.
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Not bad, but I expected better from the lovely look of the building from the outside, and a picture of one of the bars in a guidebook I have. Seeemed very average. Needs to be run a bit more traditionally.
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Went Back as in my last review, Pleanty of punters, only one Bar Staff (Friday Night). Good pint of London Pride and Adnams, although had to request a "Top Up" on almost EVERY Pint and we had 20 between Four of us during the evening. Fancied a Sandwich (Fish Finger and Mayo being one of the specials) but they were only available at Lunch time!!, did not want to chance the Mains again. Once again recommend for a Pint as long as you do not mind a wait and check the amount of Head!!! Rated 8 for the Beer!!
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Last time i went in this pub was 24 years ago. went back about a month ago and was naturally surprised in the changes. Had a few good pints of London Pride and others in the party had Adnams both excellant. As a result decided to go for a meal which we did today (Lunchtime) Beer was just as good but the food and service well....... Service only one Bar staff taking Food orders and dispensing Drinks. Long Delays!!!! More delays waiting for the food I think several orders went in at once and it was not even 12:30. I had the Burger (Burnt) and the Fries (Burnt & Cold) also the reish that was supposed to come with it had to be asked for, it came after the waitress checked with the menue!!!!!!. she asked if everything was OK and I told her the Fries were cold but got no comment back at all. The other diners had the mnoroccan Chicken with salad were less then impressed with it and the side order of fries they each ordered again (cold and lacking in numbers). This poub is great for a beer as others have said but do not expect to much from the Food or Welsh Staff. Having said that I will go back in for a Beer but will steer clear of the food in future.
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I can only agree with the last three comments. Went into the Stag on Sunday evening, Guest bitters were all off. So we had a choice of Old Speckled Hen or London Pride. Speckled Hen went off as it was being poured, so we obviously went for the Pride.
What a mistake, it was dire, probably the last of this barrel as well. I don't often walk out and leave half a pint but it was grim.
Bar staff (all in their early 20's) were totally unhelpful, in fact it was a struggle to get served in the first place.
This used to be the best pub in the village, it's such a pity that it's sunk to this appalling level.
WON'T be going back in a hurry.
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This pub needs to get rid of the silly kids who pretend to be bar people and pay for a decent old fashioned barman who can run the cellar and look after the customers. I have lived in the village for twenty years but after the last week's rubbish service, again, and the vinegar that was supposed to be real ale, again, I will not touch it with a barge pole! It was the last straw that broke the camel's back!
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I can't believe how downhill a pub can go. It's dark, dingy, smells stale and the owners are very cold,rude and inhospitable, which seems odd when your running a bar! As for the food well......It's terrible to say the least quite often stale. Who can actually go wrong cooking chips?? Yes that's right chips. They were either burnt on the outside and still frozen in the middle or chewy and dry in the middle. Surly it can't be too hard to cut up some potatos and chuck them in a deep fat fryer???
Basically I would NOT recommend this pub to anyone, however if you wanted a drink in Datchet I would suggest The Manor which is across the road, the food is SO much better and their garden is a little sun trap.
dot07 - 19 Jul 2007 12:54 |
This pub has certainly gone downhill. I've been pretty much twice a week over the last few years when passing through as its location is convenient to motorways etc. I think it is under new management and I have to say not only are glasses generally dirty, they have frequently had no ice, the beer is warm (not that I want to put ice in my beer!) and the staff could do with a serious injection of enthusiasm. Other than this, not a bad place for a pint!
anonymous - 29 Mar 2007 14:22 |
generally an OK pub - in a nice village, its got a reasonably good selection of beers and wines, I think most to suit 90% of us. Its quite friendly but there is a large clique contingent which can be annoying. The staff have been changing, but they did have a bunch of ignorant dopey people working there for a while - e.g. Do you want ice in your Merlot? this wasn't a one off.
The upside is that its a good central place to meet and has a decent atmosphere, even when empty, so I think the location does a lot for it. The food is reasonable by pub standards but expensive. I'd take my kids and wife there if I was passing, but not specifically on a Sunday etc. As a pick up joint it probably has a reasonable offering - there are all types and ages go in so I'm sure there's something for anyone.
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This pub is great nice selection of drinks served here very clean well lit cosey seating areas would recommend visiting
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As a group of about 20 they served us well and beer was good. Very cosy and great banter round the table at the back. Good helping of pistachio nuts for £2 as well.
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Friendly village pub, good ale, now returning to 'guest ale' policy, with now less that 2 to choose from, as well as the usuals, Youngs Best, Fullers London Pride,
Wadsworth's 6X. Well worth a visit
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Really nice pub, great London Pride on pump. Nice barstaff and friendly atmoshpere in the whole pump
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Old speckled hen kept in good condition. Staff and locals seem friendly enough. Haven't tried the food yet but what I saw looked very good.
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Nice one. Hoegaarden on tap so it's sold to me. Freindly staff and punters. Can't say much about food but had the leek and potato soup once and that was nice. Keep it up.
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Great pub, really friendly landlord, staff and regulars. Food is reliably good, atmosphere is upbeat and the live music on Thursday nights is always worth a visit.
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Excellent quiz on a Tuesday night
Beth - 7 Sep 2004 15:10 |
