Pub Grub

I will refer throughout the lens to English pubs, as I do not have personal experience of Scottish, Welsh and Irish establishments, although I imagine them to be much the same.

There are several options when choosing where to go to eat pub grub.

In England, the traditional pubs are owned by Breweries and managed by Landlords or Managers. The Landlords and Managers usually live on the premises.

There are also 'Freehouses'. Which means that the pub is independantly owned and not tied to a particular brewery.

Some serve excellent food, both in price and quality.

Some buy in frozen microwavable slop...whoops, food. Others have cooks or chefs that will cook food from scratch, often to a very high quality.

Many of the pubs you come across in the Countryside, will be traditional establishments. You will find them in the Cities too, although they are being closed down in favour of more trendy establishments.

Sometimes, as in programmes such as Eastenders or Coronation Street, pubs are based in a community area and are known as 'Locals'. Unlike British TV, most people do not spend all their free time down the pub!!

Years ago, you'd have found Chicken In A Basket or Ready Salted crisps!

Thankfully, things have changed. You may find two menus on offer. One will offer bar snacks, such as a variety of Sandwiches, Pies, and Lasagna. The other will offer a selection of more substantial meals. and may be served in a restaurant section of the pub.

There are often themed weeks too featuring dishes from various Countries.

Nowadays, you'd probably find a selection of the following;

Ploughmans (Bread, Cheese, apple, pickle, varies from place to place)

Steak & Ale Pie

Traditional Sunday Roasts (Often only available on Sundays)

Bangers and Mash (sausages with mashed potatoes)

Shepherds Pie

Depending on the establishment, you'll probably find soups, salads and a good selection of desserts.

The Carvery is an excellent choice if you like ample portions of meat and vegetables.

In essence, it's a traditional roast dinner.

There are usually at least two choices of meat available which will be carved for you at a counter by the chef. There will also be yorkshire puddings, stuffing balls and gravy. A good carvery will serve home made gravy made from the meat juices.

Once you have your meat, you move onto the vegetables. These may be served to you, or maybe buffet style. These will always include roast potatoes of course and a selection of other veg such as roast parsnips, brussel sprouts, swede, peas, carrots, cabbage, red cabbage to name a few. The choice will vary from pub to pub.

A carvery meal is usually excellent value.

The White Swan in Mansbridge, near Southampton (see picture above right) has recently been renovated and offers not only the traditional English pub, but also a restaurant and full carvery.

There's a growing trend in the U.K., for chained owned pubs. they tend to be a little more 'up market' (but not always) and are more likely to be found in Town and City Centres.

They will aim at two main markets. The first being the office workers and will often provide neuvo cuisine for business lunches, which is frequently over priced.

The second type of customer they aim for will be the evening revellers and the feel of the place will change totally from that of lunchtime. The menu will change too or may not be available in the evenings.

Weatherspoons is one such chain that can be found all over the Country in City Centres.

Harvesters and Beefeaters are other chains that are more like restaurants than pubs but also have a pub type bar area. Theses are more likely to be out of town.

They are very popular and offer a large, varied menu to suit all budgets.

Some of the chain pubs are in buildings that were previously banks, manor houses, or in some cases, even old, disused Churches.

Thankfully, the days of a child being left to sit on the kerb outside the pub with a bottle of coke and a bag of crisps, are long gone.

The breweries took their time, but realised they were missing a huge profit making opportunity by failing to allow children into their establishments.

In England in the past, children were only allowed into the restaurant area of a pub...this may still be the case. I'm unsure of this now as every pub you go into that serves food, seems to have children there, so the law may have changed.

I remember only too well, waiting outside a pub with my own children whilst my husband went in to ask if children were welcome. Back then, we'd often be told 'only in the garden area' some of these were excellent, others only offered a rusty swing and long grass. If it was raining, tough luck.

Very often now, there will be large signs outside saying 'Children Welcome' Highchairs are often available as well as changing facilities, although these will vary greatly.

Childrens menus are usually available and will offer small protions of all the kiddie favourites such as chicken nuggets, sausages, pizza etc.

You will frequently see signs outside of pubs saying 'Beer Garden' No, it's not a garden full of beer...it's where you can sit outside and enjoy your pint and meal.

There's often a very good play area for the children which will keep them entertained while you enjoy your drink.

You can see a good example of a more adult beer garden in The Lone Barn photo, above.

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Traditional pubs usually offer excellent Christmas Dinners.

On the run up to Christmas, it's common place for workers to go out together for a traditional turkey Christmas meal, with all the trimmings.

This may include a starter and a dessert. You'll also get a Christmas Cracker and be expected to wear your party hat! Not sure what a Christmas Cracker is? Don't worry, I have another lens lined up for that very thing ;)

How the pub kitchens cater for so many people all wanting the same thing, I'll never know!! Occasionally, the roast potatoes aren't cooked as long as they need to be or the Brussel sprouts may be mushy, but on the whole, you'll get a good Christmas meal.

Generally, not many establishments offer this on Christams Day. If they do, you'd need to book well in advance. You might need to do so in the weeks before Christmas too.

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Please note! All of the larger, 'framed' Photographs, have been taken by myself and may not be copied or reproduced without permission.

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