The Fox At Kirton in Newark and Sherwood

We were really looking forward to our Mother’s Day lunch out and were initially impressed by the fact that Paul had been able to extend our reservation from 4 to 6 people at just 4 days notice. I have fond memories of The Fox from childhood so was very much so looking forward to a return. The Mother’s Day menu looked fantastic as well. On arrival for our 1530 reservation, we were served by the young bar staff for drinks and advised them that we were here for our booking. On the 3rd time of notifying a member of staff that we were here for our 1530 booking, we finally got seated at 1555. We had 3 menus to share amongst 6 and weren’t advised as to what the soup of the day was, any specials or whether there were any items on the menu unavailable. We also had no cutlery. The staff were very young and clearly inexperienced, which is fine, everyone has to start somewhere. What was very disappointing was that there appeared to be no oversight or management and the staff had obviously not been trained as to what the basic service standards were. To say it was Mother’s Day, it wasn’t particularly busy and there seemed to be a lot of staff around but none of them showed any interest or attentiveness towards our table. We had to ask for drinks and for someone to take our order after we had been seated for 30 minutes with no one approaching us. When our order was eventually taken, the waitress returned after 5 minutes to advise that there were no garlic mushrooms, no pate and no children’s sausages. Whilst disappointed, we changed our order. 5 of the 6 of us had starters and all ordered the soup. Two of the soups came out fairly quickly. However, when there was no sign of the other soups after 20 minutes and speaking to two waitresses to let them know that we were missing three soups, I then asked to see the manager. No one seemed to know where he was. Eventually, he came to our table and I explained the disappointment in the service so far. He listened and empathised and kindly offered a round of free drinks. We were hopeful that this would result in an improved service from that point on but unfortunately it didn’t. There were even fewer people in the restaurant at this point yet we still had no interest in our table from the staff. Our main meals came out and then we saw the staff taking other tables food out whilst we had no vegetables, side orders and hadn’t been asked if we wanted sauces. Our food was going cold so again I had to go and chase our remaining food. Not good enough. We would have stayed for desserts but it was 1745 and we needed to get home. We’d been there for over 2 hours and had two courses! We are fortunate enough to be able to eat out a lot so feel we have a balanced approach to expectations and standards of food and service. The food was nice. Although the beef which was described as pink, was not and was quite chewy. I was so so disappointed by the service though. It really wasn’t good enough. There was no management/coordination over the staff and they hadn’t been trained. Unfortunately as I had booked the meal I felt responsible for my family having a very disappointing experience and subsequently I didn’t have an enjoyable Mother’s Day.

Lovely Sunday lunch down side don't order chicken tenders starter £7 for 3 thin strips of chicken and a few lettuce leaves very disappointed with the chicken starter the service was excellent shame about the starter

We have been to the Fox at Kirton many times over the last 15 years. In the last 6 months we have been 3 times and all of those visits were pleasant. The food has been delicious, with good portion sizes. The vegetable side that comes with the roast is a bit small (we were mostly a 3 person table) but if you ask they gladly bring you more which is good and I guess reduces their wastage. Booking system online is easy to use, sometimes upon arrival it’s a bit busy at the bar to be able to taken to your table (there isn’t a designated food service check in area) but the staff are friendly and welcoming. Mostly have been sat in the main dining area which is light, airy and pleasant. This time we were in the “snug” which I think they use when they are busy or for smaller groups. It is a little darker, more cosy as such but is looking a little jaded. Minor points as the most important thing for us is the quality of the food which was delicious.

This was our visit to The Fox at Kirton. We had Sunday lunch and it was fabulous. The service was great and so too was the food. What a fab place! I would highly recomend.

We went today and had a delicious Sunday lunch roast and pudding... Loving the fox art work too. This is our favourite place to be 😊

Absolutely brilliant, as per usual wonderful ambience with top notch food and hosts .. Highly recommend that you try this place

We found this wonderful little gem of a pub a bit by accident . The owners were so friendly and welcoming . Took the dog as well who was given his own bowl of water and plate of dog biscuits. Food was very good quality and very reasonably priced. The place was really clean and beautifully decorated . We will definitely be visiting again in 2025. Thank you for a lovely experience

Met up with family as this was half way for us all. We wanted somewhere that was dog friendly which it is. Very warm welcome, service was fantastic and the food was delicious. We certainly will be back.

This was our annual quiz get2gether and although early, the pub agreed to let us test the Christmas menu, which in itself was going the extra mile. It was also quiz night which is well worth a visit, included sticky 13s and Play Your Cards Right. The food was excellent, great value and plentiful, we had a starter which included Belly Pork, Pate, Prawn cocktail with Salmon and Creamy Garlic Mushrooms. Main course.....Turkey; roast potatoes which were to die for, Beef Bourguignon with Mash Potato and Mushroom, Brie and Cranberry Wellington. Finished off with delicious sweets of Sticky Toffee Pudding, Crumble, Cheesecake and Chocolate Log. The service was excellent, very friendly and attentive staff. A big thank you to Amy and Jayden for looking after us. A great evening was had by all. Thank you

Pub a little chilly when we arrived but soon warmed up - it would have been nice for the fire to be 'lit' on such a gloomy day. Not clear where the entrance was from the rear car park but once we were in and settled the food was excellent with very generous portions and good service from the waiter.

Just had an amazing Sunday Dinner food beautiful staff very friendly and helpful also a guy playing the piano just perfect x WELL DONE TO YOU ALL

Really enjoyed our lunch, the food was great and there's a good menu. We had two dogs with us and I checked beforehand that they would be welcomed. Thank you to the owners who were very friendly and hospitable, they couldn't do enough for us.

Five of us enjoyed a walk near Lincoln and we fancied popping in somewhere afterwards for Sunday lunch so booked The Fox. Despite only booking online 30 prior to turning up, the table was all ready for us on arrival. We were attended to straight away and our impressive looking meals came out in good time. Gravy God (my brother) was chuffed with the taste and amount of gravy, he didn’t have to ask for more gravy! The meal it accompanied was a perfect portion size and beautifully cooked. If we’re ever in the area again, we’d certainly visit the Fox again.

First time at The Fox at Kirton today. Absolutely banging meal & staff were great. Looking forward to going again in the near furture

Unfortunately the lamb shank I had was quite tough, to the point that it was difficultto eat. Considering this is a meat that should fall off the bone when done properly I struggled to cut it. No waiting staff came to us during the meal, or when we had clearly had our fill, so I was unable to mention this until I had to go to the bar to pay. At which I was told that this was unusual and summarily given the card machine. We won't rush back.

The area where renovation had taken place was beautiful. The service was slow in fact extremely slow. The person behind the bar charged me for a coffee along with my order didn’t give me the coffee and then charged me again for it when I went back to say that we hadn’t received it. We hadn't been given a receipt for the order so we had to go back to the menu to calculate the costs and we were in fact charged twice for the coffee. I went back to inform the member of staff that this happened and he was most put out and reluctantly refunded the cost. The food took 3/4 of an hour to actually be presented to us. It was wholesome warm and good value. On leaving we went to compliment the chef but the bar person refused to acknowledge our presence he was rude and neglectful. I would have loved to make this pub one of our regular haunts but sadly due to the rude man we will not be returning.

Great set up, amazing food, nice and quick service, lovely and polite staff. Portions are decent for the pricing. Can’t complain, 10/10!

Second disappointing visit and it will be the last. Burger tasted awful. Really not good. We told the staff but no explanation as to why. Mains came out of sync so half of our group sat watching the others eat.

My husband and I took my sister for Sunday lunch on 21 July. It was lovely. 2 of us had the pork and 1 had the Trio. We all cleared our plates and I complimented the owner at the time. They have some very efficient polite young staff. We will be back and long may it be good value and tasty food.

Lovely food friendly staff and nice atmosphere Food was tasty and good sized portions will definitely be returning soon to try regular manu