The Nags Head, Sheffield

There are times when one finds a place that is ‘special‘, for any number of reasons and as such, creates a feeling of selfishness by keeping it to oneself.

One such place in my opinion is The Nag’s Head Inn, however not being the selfish type, coupled of course, with the simple fact that the majority of people who read this review probably live too far away to make it likely they will visit it, I am thus prepared to reveal it.

Situated 1¼ miles from the outskirts of Sheffield on the B6077, the Inn was once a small row of three cottages which, after the Great Sheffield Flood in 1864, (yes, flooding isn’t just a present day phenomena) was transformed into an ale house to provide a drinking establishment for the locals. The premise still remains the original building and is what I call a proper pub, traditional and old fashioned, roaring fires in cold weather, nothing plush or fancy décor wise, with soft background music which allows pleasant conversation to be held.

I have visited it now and then over a number of years and would never have considered it meriting a praiseworthy review, until now that is, the reasons being as follows.

Since it was it was taken over in the past two years by Bradfield Brewery, a family run business, who have been brewing ale for the past four years, it has been transformed into a highly popular venue and justifiably so. Having carried out a number of visits to taste the food and needless to say, their excellent beers, I can now recommend not only both but also for the friendliness of the staff and the locals too.

The Nag’s has a small room to the left capable of seating 16, a further room to the rear of the L shaped bar seating 18 and a games room with a ¾ size snooker table. Toilets for ladies and gents, whilst being classed as basic, (the Ladies verdict courtesy of Mrs. P….no pun intended) are clean and have liquid soap dispensers and hand driers. There are no separate disabled toilets however.

I have together with not only Mrs P. but ex colleagues from as far away as London, visited to dine at lunchtimes, early and late evenings, to ensure a true picture of the quality and service covering different members of staff etc. On every occasion none of those factors have ever wavered from being anything but first class.

Firstly the menus, which I have done my best to photograph (see pictures) rather than scribe lists and as such I will give verdicts on what have personally tried by myself and fellow dining companions.

Sandwich prices range from £2.50p to £3.50p on white or brown breadcake or for an added 50p on a white or granary baguette.

I have had the hot roast beef on a white breadcake, which was light and fluffy, the filling overflowed from the sides. The meat was the real thing, not the wet ‘processed plastic’ stuff sold by supermarkets. Tender, tasty and with a generous coating of rich gravy which was enough to satisfy my lunchtime hunger.

Mrs P’s choice was the prawn on a wholemeal breadcake with a salad garnish, this was despite my attempts to make her have the cheaper priced chip butty. Again the filling packed to bursting with large, juicy, succulent prawns and a sauce delicately flavoured and seasoned.

There are half a dozen starters whose prices range from £2.50p to £4.50p, although I am unable to pass judgement as neither Mrs.P, any of my companions or myself have found it necessary to partake of this course. The size and quality of the main courses that have been tried and tested will fully justify that decision.

Main courses range from £6.70 for the homemade cheese and onion quiche with new potatoes and salad, to a mere £11.00p for the Bradfield Meats (local source) mixed grill with garnish, chips and peas. There are also a number of specials listed on a chalkboard. There does however appear to be a somewhat limited vegetarian choice.

Being a total carnivore, I have had the both the sirloin steak and the mixed grill. Whilst I did manage to clear my plate when I had the sirloin meal, the mixed grill was a different kettle of fish completely, not that there was any fish included in the mixed grill of course. I was served a large plate (dustbin lid size as Mrs. P calls them) crammed to the edge with steak, 2 large sausages, gammon, lamb chop, 2 fried eggs, tomato, huge field mushroom, large beer battered onion rings, chips and peas. The meats cooked to perfection, juicy and tasty, the onion rings home made, as are the chunky chips which are to die for. Faced with such a hugemongeous feast, I set about it with a relish however despite having a large appetite, I had to succumb to being defeated, having been unable to eat any peas and a few chips. This wasn’t a classic case of “eyes being bigger than the belly”, simply the over generous amount on the plate.

Mrs. P’s choice has been the scampi, served with a small pot of tartare sauce, with chips and peas which, she informs me was excellent and the plate so plentiful, she was unable to clear hers either. How I wish I had availed myself of the ability to order her a smaller portion for £1.50p less, an option for all the main meals with the exception of the mixed grill. This has been borne in mind on subsequent visits!

Friends and family have had other various meals from the menu and none have had anything but praise for the quality and the huge portions that have been presented to them.

Just 5 desserts (or puddings for us common folk) from £3.50p or the ‘Our Cow Molly’ (again, locally sourced) ice cream pot at £1.90p, although this may seem limited in choice, it is understandable to me for, despite my love of bread and butter pudding, having had a main meal, there is no way whatsoever I could find any room in my belly to have one. Therefore I can’t comment on them.

There is a children’s menu which I can’t give comment about as I have not witnessed any children eating one, my attempts to persuade Mrs. P. to have one was met with total derision and remark which I cannot print in this review.

A choice of side orders is also available at reasonable cost.

There can be a wait for the meal to arrive as this is no ‘fast food’ eatery and may well be due to the fact that most dishes are, what I believe to be, cooked fresh to order’ along with of course the regular high volume of customers including many ramblers and cyclists heading into the nearby peak district

Now for what I call the “Pièce de résistance” which is the Inn’s Friday lunchtime offering of a pie and a pint for a fiver. Home made pie, a choice of lamb & mint, meat & potato, chicken & mushroom, mince beef & onion, served with chips or potatoes, peas and gravy, together with a superb pint of your choice from the several hand drawn Bradfield beers on offer. Delicious pastry, sumptuous filling, the gravy of an ideal consistency, not to thick but not too runny, the ‘to die for chips’ and large portion make it top class value one would find hard to beat anywhere in my opinion.

Food is served on Tuesday – Friday 1200 – 1400 & 1730 – 2030. Saturday 1200 – 2030 and Sunday 1200 – 1600.

For the ‘real ale’ lovers, the Bradfield beers are varied in strength and flavour but not in price, all being a steal at £1.80p a pint and the Inn was voted Sheffield Camra’s (campaign for real ale for the unknowing) pub of the month for December 2009. The brewery do have their own website for those interested at www.bradfieldbrewery.co.uk where a description of their beers can be viewed and some merchandise and accessories can be purchased. The Nag’s also sell a good selection of wines, spirits, Carlsberg, Cider and Guinness on draught are also offered, however the cost of these I don’t know as my pint always contains ‘real ale’.

The Nag’s as it is known to locals, also has a ‘Children’s Charter’, displayed in the bar which states children are the responsibility of the accompanying adult (s) and not the staff, a polite way of saying control the unruly ones or else! No alcohol to be given to them and they must be out of the premises by 9pm.

Another bonus for me personally in my battle to protect my hard earned cash, is the fact that so obliging are the staff, that I start a ‘tab’ for all my purchases, pay prior to leaving by credit card at no extra charge and as I earn cashback with my plastic, it makes my highly enjoyable visit even cheaper.

There is outdoor seating/decking and smoking area, fenced off from a cow shed in the field behind which, being honest does constitute a problem with flies, (the ‘country smell can be good for clearing the sinuses however) particularly in the summer months, although the Licensee’s are well aware of this and are exploring all avenues to reduce, if not totally eradicate the problem.

Parking can be a difficulty, especially Friday lunchtimes, as there are only approximately only 20 spaces and is, needless to say, often full. Fortunately, this does not cause me a problem as it is not only within walking (or staggering back home) distance but there is a bus service which runs from the Hillsborough Interchange every hour, passing my house and subsequently the Inn. I own a car but don’t drink and drive which is where my free bus pass comes into play, another financial saving on diesel.

I have no hesitation in recommending this Inn and if you are lucky enough to visit then you can be assured of top quality food, beer, friendly, welcoming staff and who knows, perhaps if you are really fortunate, you may encounter one or two colourful local characters. Come to think about it, even me, who will gladly share a natter whilst consuming a terrific pint you would no doubt, have the pleasure in buying me.

There are actually 2 other pubs much closer to my home than the Nag’s, a 2 and 5 minute walk respectively, the fact I choose the Nag’s as my local also speaks volumes.

Whilst I have given it a five star rating, I would suggest four and a half being a true reflection but purely down to the flies.