Kings Arms - Allerdale

I don 't normally write negative reviews as I prefer to give negative feedback in person, but when I was asked how my meal was, the staff seemed so disinterested, that I felt this medium was the only way of telling the 'powers that be ' what I think they need to know. I was not a guest at the hotel and called in for a meal and a pint as the Yorkshire Pudding meal on the menu on the outside board caught my eye. I don 't normally baulk at prices, as I genuinely believe in paying for quality, so when I parted with the best part of £25 for one course and a pint, I hoped I would be impressed. sadly not! The meat was tasty and tender, and the veg was nice and crispy, but there it ends. The Yorkshire pudding was about an inch thick, claggy and almost inedible. Being a Yorkshireman, I know a decent pudding. The portion of mash was minute and there was hardly any gravy provided. Now here is my gripe. I had an operation on my throat recently, and prefer my food quite moist, so I asked for extra gravy. The waitress was noticeably embarrassed to say it was £1.50 for more gravy. I agreed but expected a gravy boat full of the lovely stuff. What arrived was the smallest jug of Bisto gravy I have ever seen. By my calculations, at last Sunday 's family lunch, I must have made about £150 's worth of gravy! What a rip-off. When I was asked how my meal was, I tried to provide some honest feedback to be told that they don 't determine the prices. First and last visit. Avoid, avoid, avoid.

Called in just after reopening as we were so looking forward to reacquainting ourselves with the good honest pub that the Kings Arms was. Terribly disappointed. When we walked in every table was stacked with used glasses which should have been a warning sign. We stood at the bar for a good 5 minutes waiting for a member of staff to appear. There was a chap in a suit running around looking terribly harassed. When we got served the wine was warm as it turned out the fridge didn’t work but no one had told the young lady who served us. Then the 40th anniversary beer was rank, some serious looking at the way it is being served and stored required. Really disappointing as we had been looking forward to returning after the refit. On the positive we thought the refit looked great but we ate elsewhere and won’t be returning in a hurry.

Waited 40 mins for 3 toasties. When they arrived each one of them was appalling. Not toasted, cold inside, came with a small handful of cold fries each. Coffees we had while waiting for them weren’t hot when they first arrived, no chance by time food arrived. Service also rubbish. Complained to no avail then complained again at the till and the surrounding tables all joined in about how bad their meals were! Just disappointing.

We called in here for lunch, they do sandwiches, jacket potatoes, ploughman's and main meals. I had the fish pie, hubbies had Cumberland sausage and mash. We both enjoyed our meals.

The Kings Arms has a range of seating areas. There are some arm chairs to chill in, some standard pub seats with tables to dine at. There are some high stools with tables as well. The food is varied and reasonably priced. We shared the soup and a sandwich deal which was very good. The jacket potatoes are yummy. We enjoyed the atmosphere which seemed to be a mix of regulars and visitors. They were short staffed and took an hour to clear the plates and glasses away which was the only fly in the ointment. The loos are upstairs. We thoroughly recommend this pub.