Darby Digger in Basildon - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Best carvery in Essex! We’ll be back….

Great place to come. We come once a month. Wouldn’t go anywhere else now. Great carvery and lovely staff. Will be back again next month xx

Sunday ( 8th of September) 18.00, the Carvery SHOULD have been 4 meats however there was NO Gammon, & No beef. also the Turkey had almost finished, had to request mint sauce & the gravy was running low at no point was anybody told of the shortage of meats but still had to pay the full price The staff seemed friendly enough, the starters were well presented and tasty with Very fresh lettuce, very nice., I think the management staff need to make sure they have sufficient meats available, This Stonehouse restaurant known as the Darby Digger can easily make a comebsck if they sorted things out properly, another example of bad management was another family had to wait 40 minutes for an ice cream desert for a child, Did they have to go outside to purchase from elsewhere???? Another incident whilst eating our food was, a waitress actually asked a family to move as another family had arrived so they needed the table, why should they have been moved, they had been there less than an hour there were other empty tables Oh and one of the Pizza staff came out to say he was almost out of Pizza Please, Management Get it Sorted, On the plus side we are pleased to say the restaurant was clean and food was tasty. Lastly The staff need to prioritise customers eating inside and not on the delivery customers, maybe then the meats would all be available

I am a regular at this place, food is always lovely and the service is amazing. Always have a laugh with Lou and Amy at the bar

Very nice Sunday lunch with Garlic mushrooms to start lovely.

Big shout out to Angel who's customer service was amazing. He went above and beyond. Thank you for treating our children with a special dessert for their success in their new little business adventure :) and also to the lovely waitress (unfortunately didn't get her name) who was always smiling, very friendly and engaging. Great atmosphere and staff team Well done to all :)

Friendly staff, clean restaurant, it and plentiful food, fair pricing.

Lunch with my family for my son’s 8th birthday. One pizza was burnt so the waiter brought only the portion of chips in a cup to the birthday boy to go cold whilst waiting for another pizza to be cooked. The other pizza order for my younger son was deemed to be acceptable by the kitchen staff was brought out, but to me was over cooked. Finally the recooked pizza for the birthday boy arrived and was cooked perfectly, affirming that my other son’s pizza was over done and the chips which arrived originally were now cold. The adult meals of 2x fish and chips plus 1x scampi and chips arrived some time after the kids meals after reminding the waiter what had been ordered, to be told there was no tartar sauce available, wish we’d been told that before. The chicken alternative for the meat free carvery hadn’t been communicated to the kitchen, so was brought over separately 15 minutes after my wife had collected her meal. No condiments offered or brought to the table, no check by staff to ask if everything was alright and overall the attention to detail was lacking

The food was great worth the wait

As a local resident we frequent the establishment on a fairly regular basis, we came today (27/08/24) after the refurbishment has been completed, Angel was absolutely fantastic with a few teething problems and is a diamond in the rough. A massive thank you to the big man who is a huge asset to the pub! Thanks for going above and beyond.

Had lunch at The Darby Digger today. It was amazing. We had Full Works Carvery, Veggie Supreme Pizza, Hand Battered Fish and Vegi carvery. All of it was freshly cooked and delicious food. We followed that up with Bubble Waffle Sundaes, Ice-cream and the Apple Pie, which were amazing. The staff were great, so polite and helpful, and were incredibly kind in helping our parents celebrate their wedding anniversary in style. We especially want to give an extra thank you to Angel for his help and patience. It was our first time there and we'll definitely be returning. Many thanks.

Lovely meal and very friendly staff

Friendly, efficient staff, great food. GM extremely welcoming and attentive, making sure all guests are happy.

To think that the general manager has changed this around so quickly and superbly is wonderful. Emma and the team were efficient, caring and hard working. It was a credit to the chain how much this place has changed. I want everyone to know that this place is back with vengeance!! Love having it local to me

Great food had the Darby digger highly recommend had to wait a little bit but was definitely worth the wait

I visited with 14 friends for our Christmas lunch. We enjoyed every moment, from the starter to the dessert. It was all very nice. The staff were accommodating and so friendly. We will definitely be returning.

The family and I went to the pub for Sunday lunch. It’s just been refurbished and looks great. It was very busy (as expected on a Sunday) but had a lovely atmosphere. We went for the large carvery which was…filling 😅. Was served plenty of meat and there was loads of veg to choose from, was all very tasty. Tried one of the new waffle sundaes and wasn’t disappointed.. salted caramel one was delicious! Service was quick and friendly 😊. Highly recommend it, especially if you haven’t been for a while!

Food was amazing just the right portion size and sooooo tasty. Service was good if a little rough round the edges. The only thing that stops me giving 5 stars and coming back is the fact that it's a no cash business. Cash is king! Card is convenient, Give people the option

Omg. The refurb is fantastic. It's so bright and open now. We have been coming here over the years, and since Emma has taken over, the transformation is amazing. And now we have the refurb. The new menu is lush. We had 7 at our table and we all had different dishes. And every one was fantastic. Cooked to perfection. The carvery was up to its usual 1st class standard. And the staff couldnt do enough to help. I must recommend the 🍨 desserts. So many to choose from now. You have just got to go and try them you won't be disappointed. Its our 1st visit since it shut for it's refurb. We couldnt wait. Even booked Infor Sunday lunch as we have family coming home. Can't go wrong for the quality and the cost 5 stars all day long. *****

Had another lovely Sunday lunch Emma, the manager, and her staff couldnt do enough to make sure or visit was perfect. Will definitely be back next week. Would highly recommend, lovely atmosphere. Great for a family get together.

The place looks amazing after the refurb! Great service and delicious carvery. Lovely friendly environment inside and the outdoor area also looks lovely. Would highly recommend 💫

Reopened on Friday and the team are grafting to make sure we all have a great time Foods good and the team make sure everyone is enjoying the new atmosphere. Pub looks brilliant.

Sadly a cashless place now. Which I don't support. Chicken burger was nice but the chips were rank. Won't be returning till they take cash

Amazing food and amazing customer service and lovely place to chill have some drinks and eat some food and the team is amazing Morgan and Sam and Frankiee and Emma and all the team is amazing

I appreciate that The Darby Digger has been closed for a few weeks for refurbishment and that this is the first day back open, but service was terrible. None of the staff had a clue what was going on and there wasn’t enough staff to deal with the amount of customers. We waited over an hour for 2 main meals and my partners pizza was sent to a different table! The manager did apologise and gave us 2 free drinks but this is not good enough. Everybody needs to be on the same page and working together.

Outstanding customer service , excellent value for money . Great atmosphere with friendly and welcoming staff , especially Angel , Louise and Super Sam , Alma and Georgia 😊. The new bubble waffle was FAN-TAS-TIC . I WILL HAVE THREE OF THEM! Would definitely recommend for family birthdays and other special events

We had a great experience when visiting for a family member’s birthday. Henry was very helpful and friendly and even made sure there was a special birthday treat ready at the end of the meal. We loved our food and the atmosphere - thank you so much!

Visited on Sunday to get in one last Carvery before they closed & as always; greeted with a smile by Emma & enjoyed a fantastic meal with the family. The staff here are all so helpful & friendly, we come regularly & will miss our Sunday roast whilst they’re closed. Very excited to see the changes; wishing the team the best of luck & hope they all enjoy a nice break!

Great night Friday for our last hurrah before you shut- drinks were flowing & atmosphere was great. Always a nice crowd, staff are great fun & the foods really good too. Will miss coming down after work while the pubs closed, but we’ll be straight back when you’re open. Good luck with the refurb.

Excellent service from Grace and food was lovely

The meal was delicious. However, the service left much to be desired. The manager was speaking loudly on the phone, which disrupted the ambience of the restaurant. Despite the slow service, the food was excellent and reasonably priced. I would recommend the carvery.

Food delicious and great service.

Screws sticking out of the gate to the kids play area

This is the best value for money carvery in the area, some amazing prices and really lovely food. Best roasters I've ever eaten! Only let down was the slow pace to get to the table, and someone taking plates while others were still eating which is disappointing, plus certain areas get loud but once you've been more than once you can pick the better seating :)

Don’t live local but this is second visit as nearby to. The food is excellent. Piping hot. 3 out of 4 of us had carvery and the 4th person food arrived in next to no time so we all ate together. Excellent place to go to eat. Well done all

Can’t fault it here. We’ve been many times and never had any issues. The staff are always polite, helpful and welcoming. Food is always good with clear plates all round, always the carvery! Will be back soon I’m sure.

Staff are very helpful and friendly looking forward to refurb, Frankie is always helpful always have a good evening thanks Karen 👍

been a regular for years. Frankee is a credit to your company

Been coming here for years and it has improved so much. Everyone is so lovely and welcoming.Frankee is an asset to the company. Always smiling and more than happy to help

Really enjoy coming to the Darby Digger for food and drinks. All the staff are really friendly. Especially Frankee. We are really looking forward to the refurb

Me and my partner came down yesterday evening with our dog. The service from Henry and Georgia was absolutely amazing, our doggy loved them too especially when he got given a bowl of whipped cream! Both were so friendly and Georgia is doing a great job (she told me she was fairly new) Thanks guys !

The staff were so friendly and helpful And we had a lovely meal and drinks

Highly recommend. Emma and the Team always make us feel so welcome and the food is extremely good value for money. We always book in every time we come to Wickford visiting family and in all the years we’ve been coming, we all agree it’s better now than it’s ever been (or at least in the past 5 years since we started coming!). Keep up the great work

Watched the football and had some dinner and although the staff were very busy they was very helpful and friendly. Had the carvery and the roasties are perfect with a great range of veg to pick from. Can’t wait to go back after the refurb!

Cracking night had by all. The atmosphere was brilliant. We are looking forward to the refurb which should hopefully make the place even better.

We’ve been a few times now and love it. The food, and atmosphere and staff are always brilliant

I very much enjoyed my time at the Darby Digger on Sunday. Despite being busy (which we assumed it would be with it being a Sunday) the staff were so on the ball and whizzing around, no one that I could see, including us were left with empty glasses or plates on our table for long. Food was amazing, the waitress was so lovely and was overall such a lovely vibe. Will definitely be back and even considering having our Christmas dinner there this year! Thank you all x

THIS PLACE IS BY FAR THE BEST PLACE AROUND FOR BREAKFAST AND DINNER, THE PRICE IS SO GOOD WITH OFFERS ON ALL THE TIME. ALL THE STAFF ARE THE BEST THAT I HAVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING WITH, THEY MAKE YOU FEEL SO WELCOME AND NOTHING IS EVER A PROBLEM, AND THEY WILL GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO HELP YOU. I WAS SERVED BY SAMMY WHO ALWAYS SERVES YOU WITH A SMILE ON HER FACE. SO THANK YOU TO ALL AT THE DARBY DIGGER FOR MAKING THIS LIKE MY SECOND HOME, KIND REGARDS FROM MICK.

We had the carvery it was lovely.. Would definitely recommend. The seats could do with being recovered as we had shorts on and it was a bit scratchy on the legs. We was on table 26. Great value, staff were great. Ty😀

Value for money. Roast potatoes excellent. Best carvery in the area. Staff very friendly & helpful. Henry, Tina & Morgan served us this evening, servuce was excellent as always. Vegan options available. 5🌟

Excellent both food and the whole team

Went there on Father’s Day yesterday had carvery it was the best beef I have ever had the food was lovely never been there before will definitely be going again 5 stars *****

An excellent carvery, so much better than Toby carvery. All the staff so friendly and accommodating. The lad on the carvery was so lovely and great service from Steve at the bar.

Darby Digger is a lot better these days! Come here and was greeted with friendly service! Got served fresh, tasty food! Steven made some banging cocktails (get the Raspberry Woo Woo, you won’t forget it!) and thank you to Frankee for brilliant service and food!

Morgan, frankee, amy and Matt make the place. Good food and great banter Proper local pub

Frankie served us at the bar and her service was amazing, full of conversation and always had a smile on her face. She kept coming to check up on us to make sure everything was ok Lucky to have her as part of your team!

I have Coeliacs so can't eat wheat etc. they are excellent and accommodating regards the carvery. Meat was lovely also. Used to go Toby but prefer here👍

Good food and. Good service. 👍

Lovely staff a warm welcome from Henry and the food was tasty and well cooked. Can't wait for the refurb.

Had a great experience the amazing waitress Morgan gave a great service would 100% come back again.

I had such an amazing time here. All staff are really friendly and Morgan who was amazing gave great service

Came in Wednesday lunchtime with the family. The food was gorgeous and the staff were friendly and welcoming. 100% recommended

The food quality was acceptable, but not good as it used to be, the portions are small, and the price is excessive and the staff is not friendly 😞

Great place, would highly recommend. Supervisor Amy was amazing!

My friend and I had lunch here today and the food was unreal for such a good price. The girls were so welcoming and accommodating we will definitely be back. A special thank you to Franki, Morgan and Sammie who all served us our food and drinks today and couldn’t have done more for us. Xxxx

Always a lovely roast will keep returning.

Staff were not friendly. Drinks were handed over the top of the divide instead of being delivered to the table. Starters and part mains were delivered together for one of us. Starters followed quickly by mains for a second one of us meaning the mains were cold and congealed by the time we could eat them. The carvery meat was very nice but the potatoes were burnt and had been hanging around. When we were asked if we enjoyed our meal and we said no, nothing at all was acknowledged of it. The dessert had to be asked for twice and we were asked if we had let them know we were ready for it, not an appropriate question after the rest of the food was served at random times and yes we had already asked where it was. All in all not a good trip.

Woman behind the bar is very welcoming and friendly, she’s part of the reason I came back to give a second chance. But this is the last time I visit this place. The tables feel sticky and grubby. The wait times are quite long. The food quality just isn’t there for me. I had a burger and it tasted like cheap quality meat 🤮 Others had the carvery which looked like It had been sat out for god knows how long, it Looked very dry and had missing items! The manager walks around with a grumpy face while mumbling under his breath. And to top it all off, they don’t accept cash! Definitely will not be back again and will Not recommended this place.

We had Sunday roast and it was delicious, the best roast potatoes ever.

The food has improved massively, it had been quite a while since we visit as the food was hit and miss. We went on Monday and returned on Thursday as it was very good. Absolutely hate that you have gone to a cashless system. I think this is a very bad decision.

New to the pub but heard about the pub via grapewine

Carvery was amazing, best we have had.

Staff always great. Took a little longer than expected to refresh the deck but was lovely when it was

We had lunch here last week. The service was prompt. The food was good and hot. The only downside was that the decor is a little”tired”. Otherwise good value

Food was lovely . Friendly polite staff . Would highly reccomend

highly recommended 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Very helpful and lovely staff Ignore the Karen’s that are being negative ✔️Great food ✔️Friendly staff ✔️Hygienic ✔️Fresh food ✔️ great value Thanks for a lovely time xxx Please understand I’m a connoisseur of roast dinners and this is the best I’ve ever eaten and the roast potatoes are the best I’ve ever eaten x EDIT I come here every Friday for the great food and great atmosphere and the wonderful staff ! Just to name a few that go above and beyond to check that I’m enjoying my time ,thanks to Emma,Samantha,lilly,Henry , chef Matt,chef Sam,Darrel ,Morgan and everyone who work there to make my time so lovely ! -The food is delicious -It’s very clean -It’s very welcoming -I’ve even recommended my friends and family to come as I enjoy it so much! -very well priced -overall highly recommended (and I’m fussy) Much thanks to Darby digger for serving me x

Nice pub with a fantastic atmosphere. Staff was all very friendly and my husband enjoyed the different sport on the tv.

Lovely pub with a lovely atmosphere. It’s great to see the variety of sports shown on the tv.

Carvery excellent value for money. Nice menu variety. Friendly and helpful staff. Dog friendly which has allowed us and family to return and enjoy many visits. For our own experiences at the DD we cannot recommend this pub/restaurant more highly.

We only go for the Sunday roast carvery, as it is absolutely gorgeous. Proper home made roast crispy potatoes and the meat is really good too.

Love this place,am down here weekly. Staff are super friendly. Shout out to Amy Daryl and Morgan who always look after me

Excellent service by Sam the chief, who brought our food to the table himself!

Nothing, carvery not hot, I have a blue light card, which the staff didn't want to take on the puddings

Had a brilliant meal with friends here, piping hot food and 5 star service from everyone. Fast service and friendly staff

I had the roast dinner today with family. The food was superb and the staff from front and back are real good.

Our first time coming to the Darby Digger we both had the Carvery. Honestly worth it!! Great taste, hot plate and food cooked really well. Definitely will be returning

Vert nice experience. Havnt been here for a while and found this visit very enjoyable. Recomended.

Had our 1st Sunday Lunch today excellent food 1st class service, Samuel Grace and Amy very welcoming, will certainly return again.Very well done.Boband Carol

GreT carvery, lovely friendly staff

Very nice breakfast, lots of choice, nice and hot, great value for money. Can go up as many times as you like. Lovely fresh bread.

We went there with our family of 10 and it was our first visit and the food was absolutely superb, we will not hesitate to go there again.

Great customer service from Zenia.

Lovely carvery today. Me and my partner where presently surprised.

Although the main course was delayed, and typically we were Hank Marvin at least 2 members of staff and a manager kept us informed and updated and not left or forgotten about and even offered a complimentary olive starter. Well done guys.

Went for a carvery lunch today. Never been before and won't be going back. Was seated by a drafty window so I had to keep my coat on the whole time. The beef was so grizzly couldn't even cut it plus not a great selection of veg. The Yorkshires were frozen ones and were cold. Had to ask someone to refill the cranberry sauce dish as it was empty. The ladies toilet could have been cleaner too. Very disappointed 😞

Excellent staff, Lovely food, good value

Staff was very friendly went above and beyond. With my grandson age 2 crying because he wanted to play on the slide outside, they have him colouring and got upset no yellow crayon they found one and to top it off a balloon made his day. Such lovely staff.

Attended a charity quiz night last week, I had the cavery and great value. Others in the party had carvery and pizzas which were huge.Staff friendly and good atmosphere.Overall very good value.

We were here for a charity quiz night which was great fun. We had dinner here, I chose the Carvery. As I have Ceoliac disease the chef was very knowledgeable, talked me through the foods to avoid and offered to cook me fresh veg. A couple of others had some pizza which were enormous and looked amazing. Would definitely recommend as very reasonably priced for a meal out. Staff were very friendly too.

The welcome, service, friendliness, and the waitress Samantha such a lovely helpful lady