Brewers Fayre Widnes Review

Reviewed by Debbie Tasker

On Saturday night myself and my partner visited the Brewers Fayre in Widnes for a meal. It is a 25 minute drive from our home in Swinton, Manchester and we found it easily. Situated on the Hive Leisure Park right next door to Silver Blades Ice Rink and Reel Cinema there is an outside seating area and plenty of parking spaces.

We arrived on time and I went to tell the waitress and to be seated. She didn’t have a booking in that name until 9.30 (it was 7.30 now) but as it was not busy this wasn’t a problem and she advised us to find a table and order at the bar. We found one at the back of the restaurant out of the main seating area. The place itself was pretty quiet for a Saturday so there were plenty of tables to choose from.

We browsed the menu. It is a typical pub grub affair. All the classics are here fish and chips, lamb shank, scampi, burgers and the classic sausage and mash. You can also get jacket potatoes, ciabattas and a 2 for 10 menu, 12 – 6 Monday to Friday.

We decided on a combo feast for two and added the chicken wings (£9.49) for our starter and 14oz T-Bone steak for us both as a main (14.99). I had Raspberry and White Chocolate cheesecake and Al (my hubby) had Cadbury indulgence sundae for our desserts (both £3.99 each).

I went to order and this is where the problems began! There was a queue waiting to be served/order and at first only one member of staff behind the bar. I waited for what seemed to be ages but was probably about 5-10 minutes before my turn. By this time another member of staff (Dave I think) was serving too. He apologised for the delay and took my order.

The starter came in a reasonable time but the chicken wings were missing. I asked a member of staff where they were and he said did you order them? I replied of course I did, he apologised and said he would go and get them. They didn’t come until we had eaten the rest of the platter which was a little disappointing and there were only four very small wings when they did arrive – so small in fact that they fitted in a dipping dish. On the whole the combo feast was very good. Presented well and served hot.

The mains were served again in a reasonable time. As they put the plates in front of us I saw that Al had no onion rings on his steak yet we had ordered the same dish, I asked where they were, oops they have just forgot to put some on I’ll go and get you some now was the reply. We decided to pass on waiting for the onion rings in case they took as long as the chicken wings. The steaks were cooked to perfection just as we had ordered. My Diane sauce was delicious and Al said his peppercorn was too. Portion size of the chips was ok and the half a grilled tomato was nice.

We were getting quite full by this stage but had left just enough room for our desserts. We were asked four times did we want to order desserts, I very politely said each time I had already done so at the beginning of the meal. Perhaps it would be better if you just had one waiter per table? and they know what you have ordered instead of keep getting asked by different staff. My cheesecake was delicious, it was served with pouring cream whippy cream ice cream or custard (a new one on me). I had to leave some but that was nothing to do with the taste, I just couldn’t eat any more. Al wolfed his sundae down, full to the brim with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, chunks of brownie dairy milk and flake pieces, topped with whippy cream and a biscuit twirl, it is chocolate lover’s heaven. He said it was amazing and he would have again if he ever got the chance.

Brewers Fayre Widnes is clean and tidy throughout. Toilets are immaculate and the staff are polite and friendly. There seems to be problem with orders being processed, staff behind the bar and bookings and it does spoil it a little when things don’t run smoothly. As we left I went to thank the staff and could find nobody either behind the bar or in the restaurant itself which is not a good sign. I looked thoroughly but to no avail so we just went home.

The food itself 4.5/5
The service 2.5/5

There are 2 other big brand restaurants within a stone’s throw so I feel they need to up there game to compete. With a few tweeks it would be a fantastic place to eat.

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

For more information, view menus or to make a booking click here or call 01514 955861.

Brewers Fayre Widnes. Venture Fields, The Hive Leisure Park, Widnes, WA8 0GY