The best restaurants serving British food in Ingleby Barwick East Stockton-on-Tees North East

We’ve been here many times over the last 5 years and had some great meals, but the last twice had been really poor with food just nowhere near the standard we used to see. We were not going to go back but were bought a voucher as a present to decided to give it one more chance and went for an early dinner. I wish we hadn’t!! Fish cake starter was sat in a sauce which was simply not edible due to being massively over salted and the garlic dip which came with the Parmesan was so strong it literally burned when you tasted it. No idea who made it but clearly had no idea what they were doing. The big problem was with the main meal ploughman’s which I had eaten before and enjoyed. This time it looked like they had just filled a plate with whatever they had left in the fridge. It had a portion of Ham Hock Terrine which was a starter on the menu, also a portion of Chicken liver pate which was also off the starter menu. It would have been very strange if I had chosen either of them as a starter and would have been given the same serving twice. Also, a huge chunk of very strong Blue cheese, some brie and another soft cheese, a pile of sweet mincemeat, some bland pickle a few crackers and a lump of bread. No meat, no pork pie, sausage roll, pickled onions, no apple or grapes, or Branston pickle. I understand there are different ways you can serve a ploughman’s but have never seen one with a pile of chicken liver pate before. When we finished, leaving most of the plate uneaten, and they asked if it was ok I explained it was nowhere near the standard I expected. Our bill was going to be around £120 in total so the least I expected was they the manager who was dealing with us would remove it from the bill however he didn’t offer to do that. He first explained that what was on the plate was their standard serving of a Ploughman’s so they hadn’t done anything wrong but when I challenged him he then admitted that the chef sometimes gets creative and changes what is on the plate which explained the random stuff we were given. Very disappointing that he tried to bluff his way out of it. He then left our table and went back to his duties but returned about 5 minutes later to say he would remove the £20 dish from our bill. Absolutely the least he should have done during the first conversation and in a decent restaurant I would have expected a better gesture rather than just the meal removed. I wasn’t surprised to see that as we were leaving at around 7pm on a Saturday evening the place was almost deserted. It appears that many others must have had a similar experience and be choosing to eat elsewhere. Such a shame as I used to recommend this place as being the best restaurant in the area but never again. We will 100% never be going here again.

Love this place. Visit every time I come north. Hot shot parmo is lovely. Massive portions, and proper home made chips. Parmo’s come in small or large. Small is more than big enough.

Very Relaxed, nice country pub First time before can I have the Parmesan and the wife had fish and chips excellent fresh good portions I had a pint of Carling and the wife had a medium rose very reasonably priced

Great experience. Have been here a couple of times but not for a while. Atmosphere is great very friendly and welcoming. Issue with kitchen when we came in but staff kept us upto date and let us know when kitchen was back open. Food was exceptional. Definitely coming back a bit more frequently.

Food lovely and good prices. Drinks expensive. Staff very friendly. Dog friendly!

Used this venue many times as it’s near my home, but never been in since the revamp. They’ve done a real good job with the revamp. The staff are great, really friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Visited during the restaurant week offer and food was excellent. Good selection of beers and wines ranging from the usual to more premium options. Wife was equally happy with her meal too. Well impressed and looking forward to the Christmas menu.

In my opinion this chippy is overpriced, used to love it here but I wonder if it’s changed ownership… Chips are tasteless and undercooked and the mushy peas went straight in the bin. Portion size was small for a “large” chips, but on this occasion I was glad when they were gone. Sadly won’t be returning.