BITE user comments - offthewagon07
Comments by offthewagon07
I heard that this had closed as half the customers were in the Walnut Tree moaning about it. Another victim of the credit crunch and end of an era for some regulars who could never see each other due to the lack of light apparently.
28 Jan 2009 17:11
Oh dear! Place seems to be worse, dark and morbid as though they do not want to spend any money on the electricity. beer average.
Check out the nutty looking red indian just out from wigwam
22 Jan 2009 21:33
Check out the nutcase who sits in here with headphones on all night, mad as a March hare
22 Jan 2009 21:30
The White Hart, South Woodford
This 'Funky Place' has only been opened a month and last weekend there was a SHOOTING outside to go with the mass punch up and glassing of a young girls face a few weeks ago!!! (see below) You can about it on the 'Wanstead and Woodford Guardian' website. All this next to an old peoples home! How do they get away with it???? The odds for the first fatality must be falling dramatically! I'm walking on the opposite side of the road from now on!
8 Sep 2008 14:28
The White Hart, South Woodford
Massive brawl outside here after one week of opening and next day a girl was glassed in the face by another girl inside. Looks like the making of a troublesome place. Traffic builds up outside as Chavs get dropped off in Chavmobil 4x4's and the like. Bouncers and 'stewards' in reflective jackets parade outside. All this going on next door to retirement flats! How they get away with it is beyond belief. I just wonder why they just didn't make it a nice traditional pub.
7 Sep 2008 12:11
The White Hart, South Woodford
After Pingu finally destroyed this pub, I decided to pop in an see what all the fuss was with the re-opened 'MOJO's'.
It is basically the same but they have extended it, bought some paint and trebled the prices, oh and it is a night club now. In the window, there are some cheap sticker signs saying 'EAT and DRINK at MOJO's'
I think they left out 'FIGHT' The place was full of coke head types, fake tanned idiots wearing sunglasses indoors. I do not give the place long as the traffic gets held up outside when the Chav's pull up to make their grand entrances and it causes havoc.
8 Aug 2008 10:14
The Rose and Crown, Woodford Green
The last entries author must be a tramp or down and out if he thinks that this place is even worth using for the the loo! How can he suggest that this pub is better than the Travellers Friend or The Cricketers that are just a stone throw away? This pub is a spent force and inhabited with low life who have been barred from all the other decent places. Even the harvester at The Castle is better!
You must have been to some grotty places if you give this 8 out of 10 mate. It is probably the most depressing uninviting place in the area! You must be barred from the pubs i've mentioned above?
30 Jul 2008 15:51
I am not Noel, and he knows nothing of my entry on this site. I know him and respect how much time and effort he has put into the pub to make it the success that it is. He has been there for over 20 years and has provided an excellent service for the Community. he has raised thousands for Charity and is a kind generous man. He regularly buys the regulars a drink. How many pubs have you been in where that happens? It is rare these days. It has not 'gone to the dogs' at all. It is getting busier and has maintained its popularity despite the smoking bans and rises in costs. I am glad that you have found another 'local' but I do not believe you have. What local have you found to beat the Nightingale? There is only the Duke which is rubbish. Then there is the Cuckfield, George, Bar Room Bar, Russells The Eagle and British Queen. Are you calling these 'locals?' We all know they are troublesome and are not a patch on the Nightingale! I believe that you are fibbing and that you have not got the bottle to identify yourself to Noel and express your grievances to him.
There are only three decent Pubs for miles around the Borough, The Nightingale, The Cricketers and The Travellers Friend. What other local have you found? Put up or shut up and take your Misses to the West End if you want top rate service and don't expect the Ritz when you order Bangers and Mash in a pub you fool!
19 Apr 2008 20:45
I do not know what Gigalo is talking about himself regarding 'English speaking staff'. If you are like some of the poe faced dim wits who drink in this pub I would imagine that the Staff cannot understand your garbled mumblings 'parnt ah lugah' and similar. The Staff speak good English and probably better than you. So you treated your wife out for a meal of Bangers and Mash and you was asked if you wanted rice? So what? You would be surprised at some of the combinations people eat. If you have a grievance, why do you not approach the owner Noel who I am sure will listen to any comment or complaint and most likely tell you were to go in future in no uncertain terms. The Pub is the best in the area and does not need whinging idiots like you. Why do you not go to the Duke round the corner where you will find people serving and customers who speak your own dimwit brained language?
16 Apr 2008 21:20
The Rose and Crown, Walthamstow
Had a terrible pint of IPA in here. Tasted odd and was wrong temp. This pub has been going up and down more than Kerry Katona's knickers over the years. I doubt if it will take off again. The area has had a change of population over the years and a lot of the locals do not drink or cannot afford to. Good luck anyhow as I think you will need it!
16 Apr 2008 21:07
What a horrible place. Chav City No ale just strong fighting beers and surprise surprise today I read that Jade Goody goes there and geuess what? According to all the papers she had a punch up in there! Says it all really? Or was this a cynical ploy for publicity? Judge for yourself
25 Mar 2008 19:33
Saw the film the Kayes on TV this week. Reg Kayes shot George Corwallis in a Blind Beggar in late 70's. But this was not the actual pub. The real pub is smaller and is in the film mentioned. Jacker the ripper used this one when he shot someone in about 1910 over gambling. I like this pub but am allergic to cats and my eyes stream sometimes because of the cats and other times because of the prices. The staff are usually friendly but do not upset the govenor!
2 Mar 2008 12:40
The White Hart, South Woodford
Nice of you PINGU to admit to running this place finally into the ground! Where are you working now? Bet that is a place to avoid!
24 Feb 2008 12:21
The Travellers Friend, Woodford Green
I have to agree with Mr Waspnest, this is a Forum for views and comments of Consumers. What is the point if all the observations are favourable? I use the place a couple of times a week and the Landlady is still has a grim look on her face every time I enter. Like a Bulldog trying to swallow a Waspnest. The rest of the staff are generally fine and the Landlord is an absolute gentleman. The plump daughter takes after her mum though and is too sarcastic and seems to hate being there. I complained about ice once and she bit my head off. The beer is still far superior to any pub in the area and is the reason that I still visit. The locals are very unfriendly and act like poor relations of the Cheyne Walk crew. They hog the bar area and won't let strangers through until you tread on their toes or gently shove the relevent idiot out of the way which normall has the desired effect.
That big dopey looking 'Adams Family' lookalike bloke still haunts the place smoking cigars outside with his red wine, scaring kids. She can't be that bad the old Landlady doing her bit caring for the community.
22 Feb 2008 15:13
The problem with this pub is that although it serves quite good real ale, all and sundry are allowed in despite off putting behaviour. It appears that people drift in from The Dukes Head having had too much and start trouble with people who have been sitting all night having a quiet pint. There was all sorts of trouble recently with Police attending etc. I do not know why the Manager allows these idiots in. On the whole could be nice but the losers and dregs from next door must be banned from entering please.
11 Feb 2008 14:31
The Horse and Well, Woodford Wells
Had the cheapest steak and chips in East London. Lovely pint to go with it! Pleasant warm welcome and down to earth people unlike the Travellers Notfriend down the road. Well worth a visit.
15 Jan 2008 17:34
The Travellers Friend, Woodford Green
Did not go in over Christmas after all as had the flu. Went in last week and was told you had to pay to come in New Year Eve!!! Glad I did not manage it. I was told by a friend that the Landlady was as miserable as ever over Christmas and things got worse when a couple of drunks commented on her mop hair cut and said it was unfinished etc and she might have overheard it. Went in last week. Beer was well kept which makes visiting this odd place a pleasure. Just grin and bear the staff!!
14 Jan 2008 16:05
The Travellers Friend, Woodford Green
Im going to pop in Christmas Day if open and/or Boxing Day. I am going to be really friendly as I got two weeks off work now...yippeeeeeee!!!! Please try and be happy dear staff..it is Christmas!
20 Dec 2007 13:33
Albert, I said that the beer was fine on my second visit and that with a little attention the pub could be great. At least I went inside unlike you at the Sheepwalk. I always give a pub a few chances. My description is as I found.
15 Dec 2007 13:09
The Travellers Friend, Woodford Green
I went in again the other day and once again had a frosty reception. If there was a piano playing in there I reckon it would have stopped. 'Pubworker' must be one of the snivelling teachers pets who suck up to the Landlady and Daughter oozing complements all night. I like my own company but a 'hello, how are you' would be nice. Instead you get a moronic glare from them when you walk in. I always smile and am polite. A mate sent a beer back once and what a scene the Landlady caused! I can just imagine old 'Pubworker' rushing home after a few beers saying to the owners that he will write something nice for them. Multi-task my backside! Get some sleep you fool if you have a baby, instead of writing tosh and currying favour. The pub is lovely! The staff are generally not!
14 Dec 2007 13:03
Well Albert, what do you not recognise? You said under your review of the Sheepwalk, which is up the road from the Star, that you have witnessed fights. If you don't think that Leytonstone is a dreadful place to be at night around the High Road, then you must be daft or blind or both! My description was exactly what I found on my first visit to the pub. I went in there again the other day and it was similar. The weird looking 'Red Indian' was sitting there too. Scarey! Beer was fine though!
14 Dec 2007 12:51
The Rose and Crown, Woodford Green
You certainly get a wide range of people in here. Mainly unsavory though. On the night I went were two of the biggest blokes ive seen drinking pints with a gang of 6 others. They were scarey creatures and tried not to make eye contact. They seemed friendly enough and kept themselves apart from everyone else. Then there were a few vagrant types mixed in with smartly dressed East Enders blokes with Mutton Ladies dressed as Lambs. I think the customers look after the place. The staff didnt look worried except just miserable like a lot of staff these days. Beer was not anything shout about. Overall found it uninspiring.
11 Dec 2007 16:53
This is a good honest pub unlike the prentious Nags. Well on par with the Village. Only thing that lets this place down is the constant shouting and stupid behaviour by a few idiots with moronic, inbred looks who enhance their gallons of Stella with a smoke chaser.
11 Dec 2007 16:28
After walking in here and seeing the girls on offer I realise why this place is called The Cock.
Grim place
11 Dec 2007 16:20
The Pig and Whistle, Walthamstow
Now to be fair i've given this three goes. after my experience the other day, I vowed never to go back, but my mate insisted as he works up the road and I met him for a drink. I did not eat. I didnt tell him i'd eaten there before. He got his order in and he waited ages. It came up cold and he left most of it. I told him later that day when we went for as drink in the Waltham Oak. He went a little mad to say the least!
11 Dec 2007 12:58
The Pig and Whistle, Walthamstow
Went in and ordered their special which came up after waiting ages. It was bloody cold like the atmosphere of the place. Empty and lifeless. Terrible place.
8 Dec 2007 11:38
The Travellers Friend, Woodford Green
I have been using this pub over the past few months and have to agree the comments about the Landlady. She seems to talk to her favourites only. She has an expressionless look about her. Vacant stares. The beer is fine always which is what I am concerned about. Beware, if a tall, large bloke with a broken nose and idiotic look, bit like Tommy Cooper, aged about 60 engages you in conversation. He drinks red wine and smokes cigars. This bloke is an absolute fruit cake and can drive you round the bend. Do not get involved in a conversation with him. He is a nuisance.
8 Dec 2007 11:24
Been in here 4 times now. Beer great quality but the place is let down by the essentials. As usual with these places, when they first started opening, the service was excellent and the places were clean and tidy. Now they are full of alcoholics as soon as they open at around 10 every morning. This particular place is like that, wino types early on. I have ordered the all day breakfast, and you wait all day to get it.
In the evening the place fills up with loud mouthed teenagers who throw 'shots' down their neck as chasers. When I have left it is hard to tell whether the vomit pools outside originate from the excess of the binge drinkers or some of the vile restaurants and takeaways nearby.
Big pub without character or soul.
28 Nov 2007 18:48
This place is ok generally. It is really worn out though and needs major refurbishment (or at least a thorough clean). The beer is generally ok too. My main observation in recent visits is that the Manager, a shaven headed bloke is the most miserable man I have ever seen behind a bar. He obviously hates being there but is probably incapable of getting a job anywhere else with a look like he has. He never says 'hello, thank you, how are you' or anything else humane. He always seems to favour another group of moaning misery guts by the hatch. Serves them first etc. They must have been desperate when they let him loose in there. I think out of the 3 Pubs in this Road, the Queens is the best and that is a one drink stop for me!
28 Nov 2007 17:01
Lovely pub. How can such a beautiful place serving great beer be in such a dreadful surrounding area?
One pub worth travelling for!
27 Nov 2007 20:09
Was going to try this place but was warned that over the last 25 years there have been more Murders, Manslaughters, GBH's and violence in and around this place than any other pub in the area. Apparently a bouncer killed someone about 5 years ago with one punch and a bloke stabbed two other customers to death over a trivial matter. I think I will take my Mother for Sunday Lunch elsewhere.
27 Nov 2007 20:01
Came here as it is supposed to be where Jack the Ripper shot somebody in the bar over a gambling debt. Many years later history repeated itself when Danny Kayes and his brother Reg came in and shot George Cornwallis. Cornwallis was one of the brothers gay lover. With all this history I must say I was disappointed to see that hardly any reference is made to it. I had a vey expensive pint of real ale which was nothing to shout about.
Rumour has it that the Landlord is very high up in the Freemasons and was specially chosen for the pub because of all the secrets that have gone on in the past. I must say Landlord that it is no secret that this place is not much upo to scratch. The food seems dire as well according to the old boy eating a pile of mush and moaning!
27 Nov 2007 12:42
Lovely place this. Another little Gem. I have hunted high and low for a few decent pubs and this rates amongst the best and I travel a long way to get to it as there is nothing like this in my area. I found this by accident after visiting the house of horrors 50 yards away (Dukes Head). This place serves a lovely selection of real ales and are cask marque approved. CAMRA members like me would love it! Beer is priced dearer than other places but the pub well made up for that and would rather drink in here than for free in the hovel up the road. Beautiful Chinese barmaid with cockney accent served me quickly. I had a nice sandwich which was cheap. I have not tried the dinners here yet but may do on a weekend. All the staff are really friendly as are the regulars. As a smoker, I found that the little area to the front was easily accessable to nip out for a quick cigar. I Was told by one bloke who has used the place for years that the owner is Chinese and is selling up. A lot of the staff are Chinese as well as East European. They seem great with the customers. Hope it does not change much if he does as this is a traditional pub as pubs used to and should be run. Full of charm and character. Nice fire welcomes you on entering, which is handy in these cold times!
24 Nov 2007 14:12
Nice place to go at lunch to have quiet drink and to read the paper. Staff are lovely and polite.
24 Nov 2007 13:51
The White Hart, South Woodford
This place seems to be on its knees and dying. Broken furniture and flaking paint work. The rest of this area has nice shops and restaurants. The brewery must have something up its sleeve?
24 Nov 2007 13:50
Gem of a pub. Really nice. Great pint of Country and a nice lunchtime menu served by a glamourous wench. Well worth a visit. One of the best in the area.
24 Nov 2007 13:47
The Duke of Edinburgh, Wanstead
I went in and instantly felt uncomfortable. A man who was in amongst a crowd of others was shouting and swearing holding court. He then went round and served me! He apparently is the owner! It was full of villainous blokes. Tattoos, earings and the like. Horrid!
24 Nov 2007 13:32
I agree that it is full of young Chav type characters having drinking games, purile conversation and blokes eyeing one another up for a fight. Like a 'McDonalds' in the bar trade. At least 6 girls I saw in there drinking alcohol were under age. Not my type of place. The wine was good quality though.
24 Nov 2007 13:28
This place is another wannabe Camden Town/Islington venue. It just did not work for me. I was poured a glass of vinegar instead of Merlot, which I refused to accept from the half asleep barmaid who had gunge in her eyes as though she had just woken up. She reluctantly replaced it with one from a fresh bottle after grinding half the cork in it. There was a couple of people on stage blaring out rubbish music to a disinterested audience of about 10 people mostly men. The place is gloomy. There is an extensive menu on display with trendy food obvioulsly sitting in a freezer, as it would be impossible to churn such items out fresh. I got chatting to a regular who told me that the owners were trying to sell the place as it was not paying. It is a dismal dreary place and cannot understand all the positive comments made. The same regular told me that 'Loaded Dog' means a dog full of excrement waiting to go. I thought that this is the most appropriate name for the pub as it is just that! I have found it very difficult to find a half decent pub in this whole Borough!
24 Nov 2007 13:20
This place is worse than the Drum. Full of people who NEED a drink as soon as the place opens.
21 Nov 2007 18:58
You find this place by leaving the Baghdad High Road bit, escaping the aggressive beggers, down and outs, Lunatics and Scarey people. You think you have found Sanctuary but leave disappointed. It is a lovely Victorian building, with two bars and some original features. However, when I went inside, I waited for ages to be served. I tried to make polite chat with a large group of Middle Class Teacher types, male and female, but was ignored. They were all worse for wear, especially the ladies. It was quite early still mid-week but the girls all of whom were at least 50 were falling all over the place hugging and kissing anything human. The men all looked like rugby playing teacher know alls. All well spoken for the area and very unfriendly. I was put in my place for sure when a large lady served them out of turn. I was anxious about complaining due to her size and theirs. I was served up with a beer which was not London Pride even though I had asked for it. The beer was far to cold for an Ale. I sat in a corner. The music was far too loud and the already noisy ladies raised their voices at each other and really got on my nerves. The place is tired and dirty and stained through years of smoke, when it was allowed. In the other bar were a group of yobbish men puffing out chests and shouting football things. A man looking like a Red Indian Chief came in with another strange looking man. They obviously let in all the Lunatics in here from the High Road. I had my pint and went. Shame, with a little care and attention and control, this could be a nice place.
21 Nov 2007 18:52
I went in here and honestly felt that I would never get out alive. As I walked in, I carried on to the bar in terrible fear for my life. I ordered a drink and tried to work out an escape route. I had a hundred eyes on me. The stench of cannabis was obvious. I did'nt touch my half. I asked for the toilets and ran away. How do people get away with running a place like this?
19 Nov 2007 19:19
Had a drink in here over the weekend. I though i'd walked into a doss house. Vagrant types plentiful, downing cheap booze. Stunk to high heaven where I was sitting. People complaining about their food. beer was ok though but it was like buying a drink in Tesco's and drinking it in a park full of down and outs! Yuk!
19 Nov 2007 19:09
The Rose and Crown, Walthamstow
I don't know what all these other comments are about but when I went in this place the other day I could'nt work out who was who! Staff or customers. There was a lady behind the bar worse for wear for sure but I don't know if she was the Manager as if she was she did not correct the horrible service I received when I asked about the real ales on offer. I was asked 'what do you mean?' There was'nt any so I had Guiness which was ok. I tried to enjoy my pint but had a crossfire of banter between people from behind the bar and around the public area. Swearing and drunking nonsensical purile exchanges. What a horrible place this is. Big place without atmosphere. What is it about these London Pubs? There are loads in this area and there never seems to be any leadership in them. When I left after my pint, not a word of thanks or goodbye, even though I did say this to them. No wonder the place was practically empty. I will not be going there again in a hurry!
16 Nov 2007 10:26
Had a lovely selection of real ales. I had 4 pints of lovely ESB. It was a Sunday and I popped into the back Bar for �6 and was entertained by the Folk Club. Had a lovely time, but the after for pints of ESB anybody would! The Staff were reasonably good with quick service or at least an acknowledgement that you was not holding out money for the fun of it! Nice place and nice beer!
15 Nov 2007 16:11
I don't think they sell beer here. They seem to sell everything else that you can smoke or inject! Went in and went out! What a joke! This is the worse pub i've been to ever!
15 Nov 2007 16:05
Beer was ok on my visit. Staff very very gloomy and unfriendly. I asked for a packet of pork scratchings and she told me 'we have Stella!' I gave up trying. I came in for a drink not to give English lessons!
15 Nov 2007 16:03
Went in this pub on recommendation for food. Was told that they were not cooking for whatever reason. Had a drink of bitter which was just drinkable. I was told by a guy that this pub is owned by the same guy who owns the Nags Head. I did'nt have another drink as I had had a bad experience in the Nags Head. Is there any decent pubs round here? I have just moved in to the area and it ain't looking too good pubwise!
15 Nov 2007 15:59
Having just moved in round the corner from this pub, I was told by my neighbour that this was the best place to go to this side of London. Now i'm either living next door to a lunatic or my neighbour has never been to another pub. I went in and the place was quite empty. There were three Staff chatting amongst themselves and when I asked to be served one girl said 'Wait a minute!' the carried on talking about a bloke who had chatted her up the previous evening! I was about to go when I was served a too warm cloudy pint of bitter. It was awful and I left three quaters of it. The place began to fill up with mainly lager and wine drinking teacher types. In the space of ten minutes 3 people complained to staff about drinks and no loo roll in the toilet. A small stocky man appeared and pinched the backside of one of the staff who let out a loud shrill (he may be the owner). The place is a poor mans version of a yuppie Camden Town Pub. Weird to say the least. I won't be attending too often and will tell my neighbour.
15 Nov 2007 15:54
The Pig and Whistle, Walthamstow
I went in here for a meal in the evening. I only asked for a carvery and it took so long to serve that I actually fell asleep! It was the worse meal i've ever eaten in a pub. Just awful. There was one other bloke in there who seemed to have a personality disorder. I told the bloke that I did'nt enjoy the meal and he shrugged his shoulders! I will be going up the Castle in the Village as i've been told that he does good food there (or just eat at home!). I am fed up with the rubbish that these so called gastro pubs turn out
15 Nov 2007 15:45
Back to offthewagon07's profile
The Plough, Walthamstow
Went in last week and had some lovely Fullers Ale. Now seems to be Cask Marque as well which is good. Even better is the news that the Old Witch who I believe was married to one of the owners has been sent packing. Horrible woman was she, used to stand by the bar snarling at customers and was as miserable as sin. Still a great old place and even better with her gone!
3 Aug 2009 15:04