Darby Digger in Basildon

First time attending the Darby Digger, went for the Carvery which was amazing value for money, with generous portions and well cooked food, I will definitely be returning. "Ginger Chef" was friendly and accomodating and the venue was cosy and a lovely atmosphere. 👍

If you see this man here get in front of him or no bacon

Always fantastic service and lovely staff

always have a wonderful visit at Darby Digger. All the staff are lovely, especially Frankee. keep up the great work guys!

(today we ordered a delivery using justeat) the roast potatoes were burnt to a crisp, the turkey is ridiculously dry, there was no declaration of sweetcorn anywhere in the meal and my wife is allergic to it, the gravy portions were atrociously small and the dessert was missing from the order. its like they chose the worst stuff to give us. :/ won't be ordering from again with these kind of practices

Good service and good food. Always so well looked after every time we go. Georgia and all the other girls always greets us with a smile and wonderful service thank you xx

Food was excellent very good vavalue for

Food was absolutely lovely! Would 100% come back. Also chef and staff was really lovely and polite!

Exceptional service, good selection of beers and lovely bit of grub. Best pub for mates and families alike

Such good value for money, pizzas and carvery and the bar snacks are all 10/10! & always get lovely smiley service from georgia and the rest of the team :)

Went on Tuesday and had the loveliest meal. The staff were so helpful as well with my daughter’s allergy requirements. Thanks again guys !!!

Best pizzas in wickford ! Will be returning !

Lovely carvery. Great staff friendly service. Special thanks to the chef for the extra Yorkshire pudding. Highly recommended.

Amazing service and great food. Sam on the carvery helped us out and brought over yourkshores as they'd run out when we went up. So much better than the Toby carvery! Thanks!

Just spent a lovely afternoon with friends at The Darby Digger. Food excellent, roasts and burgers, followed by the massive waffle desserts and staff made us feel very welcome, even though we stayed for a long time. We will be back.

We decided to have a family bank holiday meal here today at 12.00 noon.From the time we arrived we were made welcome by all the staff .We were served immediately and all with an energetic smile .Our main servers were Samme Lisa and Charlie who were very attentive and kept us informed about our food orders .We spoke at the end and commended them on how our experience made our day .Keep it up guys breath of fresh air .We will defo be back xxx

The BEST ROASTIES!! We won’t go anywhere else for a roast or carvery, Darby Digger’s roast potatoes are by far the best! Toby Carvery doesn’t even come close! Chef Sam made sure we all had more than enough to eat and even our fussiest family member cleared his plate!! Thank you! Sorry, no pic to post - plate was cleared by the time I came up for air to post this! 🤣

Chef at deck was amazing, host was very friendly and tony was hilarious on the bar!! Deffo recommend for a roast dinner

This place is very under rated for a Sunday roast but it’s brilliant. The chap who carves the meat is a very nice guy, my kids think he’s great

Amazing staff - really helpful and great atmosphere! Love brining our dog here as well x

Very good food and service. Friendly staff, thanks to Erin and Sam in the kitchen. Sorry hear the management is leaving though.

Brilliant friendly service from Grace, always return each week & the food for price is excellent, highly reccomend!

Great service and friendly staff the chef is very friendly and helpful

First of all I would like to thank Tony & he's son Alfie (chef)for making sure that my wife's food was done separately, as she as a tomato allergy. We have been here a few times & never had any problems with cross contamination with tomatoes, definitely 5☆. Will definitely go back, food always fantastic & staff very polite. Stonehouse, your doing everything right..

First visit here. Joined a group of friends to celebrate 2 birthdays 70/80. Good atmosphere, tasty carvery. Can recommend.

Absolutely love it here. Staff are always friendly and helpful, the carver Sam Is always so polite and super friendly. Highly recommend it here. Xx

Very welcoming friendly staff orders come quickly and the carvery was absolutely delicious dave the chef is a lovely and has cooked up a beautiful dinner for me and my family.

Just had one of the best carveries I’ve ever tried—and a huge shoutout to Ginger Chef for absolutely smashing it. The best service🙌 & the manager who was so lovely and enthusiastic and accommodating to me and my friends. Couldn’t be happier with the service!

Would recommend to anyone so much better than a toby nice welcoming especially the ginger chef makes things relaxing 5 star in my books

ginger chef was well nice, will go again

Ginger chef is brilliant extremely friendly

Absolutely banging Sunday roast staff are top

Ginge serving the meat was a really nice guy and sorted us out proper doing us fair portions and made sure to ask how our day was all over was a good experience and nice guy

Food was lovely! Had the carvery, the ginger chef as he called himself was very friendly and went the extra mile. The carvery was very yummy. Thank you!

The ginger chef was very generous!

The ginger chef is the Don of carveries.

A big shout-out to the Ginger Chef! The carvery was absolutely top-notch, and it's clear that a lot of skill and care went into every dish. From the perfectly cooked meats to the deliciously crisp Yorkshire puddings and fresh vegetables, everything was spot-on. Your attention to detail and passion for great food really shines through. Thank you for an unforgettable dining experience—keep up the amazing work!

Had a carvery was very appetising

Havent been in since they done it up.and wow looks so nice and fresh . We had the carvery and a fresh of air .ginger chef. So pleasent and happy person. We had the carvery very nice .diet coke . Will be back. Saturday afternoon. We had a nice time and menu looks good.

Came for a bottomless brunch for my hen do and it was great- lovely pizza and cocktails and thanks to Grace with the blue hair for keeping us topped up 💙

This is a nice pub with plenty of outside seating. Having enjoyed a few drinks in the sun, we decided to venture inside for something to eat. I had a meat feast calzone and my wife had a pizza. Both were bland and disappointing. But the reason for the really poor score, was the disgraceful side dishes. Burnt to a crisp onion rings and a thimble size pot of coleslaw and blue cheese sauce (which we had to request a second time and wished we hadn't bothered). I've eaten here in the past, including the carvery, and it has always been okay. Yesterday may have been an off day but to serve up such small sides is an insult. Won't be eating there again.

Went to the derby digger and Tony was very helpful as always. The food was great, service was great would definitely come back again.

Visited for the Carvery on Mother’s Day. The food was good as always, and a chat with the personable Ginger Chef was an added bonus!

Went on a Saturday night was not to busy we had a carvery and the food was hot and fresh as just replaced all the veg and potatoes Guy serving was very pleasant and professional with a great attitude to customers Would definitely go again

Best carvery I’ve had in a long time and staff were very friendly and helpful. Only reason I didn’t give 5star was because starter was a little cold but will be back again for more carvery!

Had a lovely meal with the family this evening and one particular member of staff stood out amongst the already great team - as promised the 5* review for the "Ginger Chef" (his words). Thank you for truly looking after our table and for the outstanding service you provided tonight. Every member of staff was incredible but I felt he needed a mention and shout-out.

Really really friendly chatty and kind very welcoming definitely recommend

Just stopped for a drink, service helpful and friendly. Good prices. Nice outdoor seating area

Professional & friendly chef lovely meal Will defo come again

The ginger chef was brilliant and sorted us out

Been there twice this wk,staff are very friendly an helpful the chef Jay his food is excellent,well done to u all

My first time here for a carvery. The food was spot on, the chef (ginger lad, sorry lol) was super friendly, and his mannerisms alone made me want to come back. I LOVE the cheesy onion mash. All staff are very friendly. Thank you

Sam our waitress was so friendly, polite and very helpful, you don't find staff like her very often. Would love to come back here again and we live in Shoeburyness so only half hour drive. Highly recommend this place !!!

Popped in after work for a quick drink and was not disappointed, the service and food was above expectation. The gentleman called Tony is a true asset, in an extremely busy environment this person stood out and exceeded expectations Would definitely recommend

First time here . Had bbq wings to start a good size and tasty. Had the carvery. Plenty of food delcious plus an extra sausage from the chef. Also the creamed horseradish sauce is one of if not the best I've had . Will be coming back soon

Always an enjoyable experience, staff go above and beyond for you . Food really food too . Definitely recommend.

We never eat in this establishment again. I caught the chef trying food and licking his fingers before plating up my meal with out washing his hands. So didn’t eat anything when brought out. Then only offered a refund for the dishes I see him do it to instead of the whole meal on which I did not touch because now I can’t trust anything coming from that kitchen.

I’m disappointed in how I’ve been treated ! I’ve been coming to the digger for years,twice a week, I get on with all the staff and made alot friends plus spent a lot of money and time having the diggers back , unfortunately after the way I was treated by the new jobs worth carver David I won’t be coming back ! Basically because I’m disabled with one arm and not good at walking the old carvers and servers gave me a bigger plate so I don’t spill it or have to return for more , so I don’t get more meat just more space but for some reason this new carver said she’s not having one!EVEN WHEN STAFF EXPLAINED WHY I NEED ONE!!!!And told me I get what I paid for ! Made me cry in front the whole pub? I WERNT HAVING ANY MORE MEAT ! BUT IT AFFECTED THE GRUMPY GIT AND ALL OVER A PLATE HIS WILLING TO LOSE A GOOD CUSTOMER! AND FOR ANYONE DISABLED HE WONT MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE FOR YOU ,JUST TRY MAKE YOUR LIFE HARDER , AND TO MAKE ME CRY AND TREATING ME HORRIBLY ,I BRANG ALOT OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS THERE BUT ALOT WILL BOYCOTT YOU WHEN THEY FIND OUT HOW IVE BEEN TREATED FOR NO REASON IT DOESNT COST HIM TO HELP ME ? He will bring Darby digger down a lot of customers have said they notice how moody he is don’t expect any customers service 🤬

Lovely meal and very friendly staff

Roast not good well not go back for awhile 😕 😐 😒

Easy to book, friendly & efficient staff. Food delicious

Went in for a quick drink, it wasn't very busy, friendly staff

There is a traveller site right next to the pub, and it is the local hangout for them - they are terrorising the customers. I went in there for a meal and was harassed by a traveller the whole time trying to antagonise me into fighting him. You’ve been warned..

Excellent service and great food

Came for a cheeky carvery whilst our son was at football training and wasn't expecting much , to my delight it was bloody fabulous, friendly staff and the carvery for the money was great 👍 will definitely be a regular for training night and the extra bonus is I don't have to cook ....well done guys , we will be back xx

1st visit today and was seated by a lady who had blue hair,very friendly, helpful and polite x

Food was very nice, but service was absolutely poor, I would never recommend it because they said they're not taking anymore dessert orders.

Well done to the ginger chef so friendly and helpful

Haven't been here for many years but thought we'd give it a go again. Very pleasantly surprised. Nice and clean and food was lovely

Ignored all the fake reviews about the potato’s, there definitely not true ! I come here weekly with friends and family and everyone enjoys everything including the roast potato’s , they are the best, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside ! No complaints from anyone I know who goes always a lovely experience and the food is delicious ( especially the roast ) highly recommended from a chef x

Fantastic carvery. Roasties in particular. Also the Celtic cookie dough with ice cream was amazing!

Food and staff lovely. Great value.

Polite helpful staff, but the wait for food that's not carvery was very long, forgot some of our order, didn't listen at the bar counter, how we wanted our meals to come out. Which made some of our group eating after we had finished.

Lilly was a fantastic waitress and chef Jay got a 10 out of 10 for he’s macaroni cheese and pepperoni pizza both of my children are autistic and find it hard taking them out for meals was nice having a relaxing meal

I always give a fair review when I do these. Today I was asked to do one and mention “the legend ginger doing the carvery”. He gave a fair portion and was happy to engage. The food was good and hot and tonight I am stuffed!

The Darby Digger is our local and we love it! Such friendly staff, great atmosphere, drinks, food all at a reasonable price. The recently upgraded pub is definitely one for your sunday lunch :)

Lovely food and good quality shame I had to pay by card no cash option but rest was very good and staff were excellent.

Lovely service, ambience and food!

Letting the travellers back in ,that's not a good move 😕

Apart from the staff being friendly, there is nothing else going for this place. This is a venue I will not be revisiting anytime soon.

Would avoid. We came to celebrate my Nans birthday with other family members including 6 adults and 2 children. We arrived at our booked table 7pm, sat down ordered drinks and food at around 7:30/7:40pm. We ordered starters and children’s food to come out at the same time. First starter came out at 8pm but no children’s food. We waited for our 3 adults carvery tickets which came 8:30, they went up got there food and came back. Still by 8:30 there was no children’s food or adult food. We spoke and asked understood it was busy but just wanted the children’s meals as they were cranky and hungry by then. 9pm the children’s food came out, a plain hamburger and chips which was completely burnt and chicken dippers and chips which were fine. The adults food soon followed 2 cheese and bacon meals which were wrong, one had 3 burger patties inside with no cheese and no bacon. Was burnt, then the other meal had a 2 patties inside and bacon which was so burnt you couldn’t even bite into it. The next adult meal that followed was a calzone which was burnt and wrong, we ordered a meat feast calzone and a carvery calzone came. We ended up leaving at 9:45 as the children were so tired, we were all hungry having paid the money and not eaten and none of the starters ever came out.

Ordered the carvery and it was ok. Very unappetising when queuing up as the meat was very dry, vegetables were dry, discoloured and pots were empty. When ordering food at the bar, even though the dessert was confirmed back to me twice, I received the incorrect order. The place wasn't busy but looked like the manager was running the whole place with one extra person on the bar. Understaffed to the point that the manager had to eat a pizza in the sauce area next to the carvery.

Amazing carvery, good pint and very friendly staff. Can’t knock it

All staff were very friendly and the food is great!

Absolutely loved the sunday dinner my sons exact words are it's delicious meat

Particularly good value when £6 roast promotion is on but good food and prices usually anyway so always worth a visit.

The ginger chef is amazing. Food was incredible.

Amazing service from lilly it's always a laugh when we go food was nice and hot and fresh

Good for a cheap meal. Can still have a small roast for under a fiver....just!! As long as the small roast is ordered before 5pm.... Update as of November 2022....small roast now £5.50 and can only have one meat.... ....and March 2023, closed Mondays and Tuesdays... ....and when we last visited, August '23, the Carvery had definitely deteriorated. The Cauliflower Cheese had no cheese sauce on it; the potatoes were sparse and burnt; the other vegetables were dry and the stuffing was rock hard.

Nice place to visit friendly staff

Had to order food at the bar and the children’s meal come with a dessert. I didn’t know I had to order at the same time as the main, so I asked for her dessert as our table was being cleared and was told “you was meant to order it with your mains” even though I wasn’t prompted for this at the bar when ordering food. when I questioned this she hit back with “I’m not a mind reader”. I’m not sure why they wanted to deprive my sister of strawberries on her 13th birthday. We got them in the end :) I don’t expect someone working at Darby digger to have a part time role as a mind reader. But also don’t expect that comment either.

Carvery excellent and staff friendly and just excellent

SAM THE FOOD IS AMAZING. SO FRESH SO HOT. NEXT BEST ROAST TO MY OWN. BETTER THEN TOBY BYA FAR WAY. THANK YOU XXX

Nice food, friendly staff, good atmosphere.

Went to this place at 12.30 Sunday the food and parking was fantastic great service and value 4 of us very much enjoyed our meals and deserts will deffo come again

Booked this for a get together and breakfast with my family. 7adults and 4 children. I pre booked and received emails asking to confirm my visit. When we got there it was like a surprise. No customers there but had to wait for a table, then no food ready, coffee pot empty. Stood waiting at the buffet for food to appear at random for about 20 mins. Fried eggs were very poor. Have been twice now but after today will not be back. Shame as the hostess with the coloured hair did try her best

We love it so much we went twice last week. Superb Roasts ever.

Great food, excellent service. Very relaxed atmosphere

Jay in the Kitchen is the man. Top people, top food and top customer service.

Lovely atmosphere, great service, happy staff - they genuinely seemed pleased to be at work! Everyone taking pride in what they did and food was delicious! And a bargain too!