The Pepper Mill Pub - Stoke-on-Trent

We decided to have a family birthday dinner at this restaurant but we were disappointed and will not be returning. The place was nearly empty and it's clear why. We were hoping for a carvery but they were not offering it. The food was awful – one dish was inedible, one had to be sent back, two had parts that had to be returned, and one dish took a long time to come out. The manager did not seem concerned and offered a voucher for a return visit, but we will not be taking them up on that offer. The response from the head office was also a generic reply, so it seems they are not very concerned about customer satisfaction either.

This restaurant used to be decent but now it's really gone downhill. It has always been known for being affordable and casual, but I would never go back after our last experience. Customers are treated like a bother, the carvery is gone, half of the menu items were unavailable, and the food we did receive had blackened eggs from a dirty griddle and solid gravy. The manager's attitude is laid back to the point of being rude. I doubt this place will stay open for long without some major changes.

Had to wait ages for the food, the place wasn’t busy. We asked for the starters to be brought out with the mains, this didn’t happen.obviously no communication between the bar staff kitchen. We sent 2 meals back as one was cold fish chips) and the other was wrong spicy beef burger)should have come with sweet potato fries and came out with chips. We ordered 3 potions of onion rings. Only one portion arrived. We repeatedly asked the unhelpful, miserable waitress, where the other portions were she kept saying they are on the way. NOT. Never turned up. To say another disappointing visit to a Marsdens pub. All you seem to be interested in is taking customers money. The gentleman behind the bar was apologetic, but apart from that no customer service in the place at all, and the food was also disappointing.

I went out for lunch with my parents. Despite the lack of customers, it took 45 minutes for our food to arrive. When it finally did, my chips were cold, my dad's chicken was cold, and my mom's curry was cold. Sadly, we will not be coming back. It seems like this place has declined in quality. Such a disappointment.

The restaurant is conveniently located and has a 4 out of 5 star rating so two of us met for a light lunch. The staff were pleasant when they informed us that there would be a 45 minute wait to be served even though the restaurant was around 1/4 full. We chose a starter each at £5.95 per person. Mine was supposed to be served with mutigrain bread and butter, instead it was served with the end cut of a supermarket brown loaf and and two small containers of margarine. Naturally I complained and was refunded without issue. My guest ordered something that had been deep fried. It looked overdone and was a very small portion. I had a really good quality Sauvignon Blanc which I enjoyed. Overall, we will not be going again.