The Squirrel Pub & Carvery, Bispham, Blackpool > Reviews > Go And Feed The Squirrel

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money	Excellent
Standard of Menu	Good
Atmosphere	Good
Standard of Service	Good
Cleanliness	Good

Advantages:	Great food, good prices and a friendly atmosphere .
Disadvantages:	Sharing the disabled toilets with the baby changing, the queues and the pub part of the squirrel .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Why Go To The Squirrel?

My husband and I love to go to The Squirrel pub for a meal. We tend to go there on a Sunday for lunch once a month. I would definitely recommend the pub for it's carvery's although I don't particularly like the pub side to it there never seems any space to sit down. The carvery is in a different room where there are tables and chairs to sit at. There is a new system now that means you have to pay for your meal before you get it and you get a ticket to hand in to the chef's at the carvery. The pub has had to do this because they had people who ate and never paid for their meal. If you want to open a bar tab then you can do, but you must hand them your credit card or debit card which they will then swipe and hand back to you. This means that you can pay at the end of your meal and also for any drinks you order. You can also pay by credit or debit card at the time you order or you can pay by cash.

What About The Prices?

The prices of the carvery are really good. I mean you just wouldn't expect to get such good quality food for such low prices and the fact that you get a lot for the price is great too. The prices have gone up since I started going here, but they are still very competitive. The service is also worth noting. I like the way the chef walks round the tables asking if everything is all right it's a very nice touch indeed.

I must admit the pub is probably more interested in the income it is generating from the carvery than from the pub side of things. They tend to cater less for those who just want to use the pub facilities and I suppose that's why it is so cramped in the pub part.

Prices vary on different days of the week basically on a weekday the prices are lowest roughly about £4.50 I cannot remember exactly. On a weekend the prices are slightly higher about £6.50. Last time I went I was really blessed because a man on the next table from me sold me his ticket for £5.00, which knocked £1.50 off it for me.

You can buy starters and they are not very expensive they range from £1.50 upwards. Desserts range from £1.50 upwards and often there are specials on. Usually there will be a piece of paper on the table telling you which specials are on that day and how much they cost. When we went last which was on a Sunday there were profitera roles, farmhouse pate and Black Forest gateau for £2.50 each. We have also been when there was fresh strawberries and cream or ice cream for £2.50. I would recommend you try the jelly and ice cream for £1.50 because it is light and refreshing. It is strawberry flavour and very nice especially if you mix the ice - cream into it. I also love the Yorkshire puddings and you can choose between 1 or 2 the chef will ask you. When I went last the chef made a joke asking whether I wanted 6 Yorkshire puddings. I obviously said no and started laughing, as did the lady behind me in the queue. I don't like the fact you have to queue and feel that some people are a bit impatient. When I was choosing my vegetables I had this lady breathing down my neck and I could feel that she was in a hurry.

Where Is The Squirrel?

The Squirrel is situated on Bispham Road, Blackpool FY2 0LB It's telephone number is 01253 352198. You don't need to book, as there are usually enough tables. The pub is situated right by a bus stop and an 11 bus runs every 10 minutes on a weekday from this stop. Down the road from the squirrel it is also worth noting that there are swimming baths so you might like to combine your visit with a trip to Moor Park swimming baths. At least you could go with an easy conscience because you would know that you had swum off the calories. Actually I don't think the carvery would be that high in calories because the food is good wholesome English food. The number 11 bus runs from Blackpool Town Centre and goes into Bispham.

What About The Food?

Food is served Monday-Saturday 12.00-2.00 & 5.30-9.00
Sunday 12.00-9.00

Children are welcome if dining under responsible adult supervision. There are also high chairs and a place in the bay area for prams. Sometimes the tables get quite cramped, as there is not much space in between so it can be difficult to manoeuvre a pram in the restaurant area. It might be best if coming by car to bring your baby in, in the car seat. If you need hot water for the bottle the staff will also accommodate.

You can chose from different meats on the carvery or have a little of everything which I usually do. The meat is usually, turkey, gammon and beef. The vegetables you help yourself to and you can come back for more vegetables and also Yorkshire pudding. You can't have more meat unfortunately. I suppose that they have to draw the line somewhere. The vegetables are usually, carrots, cauliflower cheese, peas, roast potatoes, boiled potatoes and Swede. Then there are sauces, gravy, mint sauce, cranberry sauce and applesauce. On the tables there are usually 2 sets of menu's, a pot with cutlery in and also serviette's.

What About The Staff?

The staff are great. Even when they are run off they're feet they still manage to make time for you. Sometimes I have found that they might forget to bring you something that you ordered. Last time we went my husband ordered a coffee and I had to go and remind them that I had paid for it and ask where it was. They apologised and brought it to the table within minutes. Usually staff tend to make more mistakes when the restaurant is busy. I mentioned before about the chef coming round to ask if everything is all right and I like that touch. It adds something personal to the dining experience. Usually it is waiters/waitress that come round in other restaurants, but the fact that it is the chef is lovely. Also when the chef's carve the food some of them have great senses of humour and make you laugh. Others always wear a smile and I have never come across a chef that I didn't like. If you have any complaints they are usually dealt with quickly and efficiently.

What Is The Atmosphere Like?

I have mentioned that it does get a little crowded and the tables are quite close together which doesn't give much space. I like the people who go to The Squirrel though. There seems to be friendliness between everyone. When you are standing in the queue quite often people start talking with one another. When you get to the front of the queue the chef's usually have a joke with you. There is usually a friendly, humorous atmosphere, one in which you can relax. They sell wines and alcoholic beverages with your meal too and that helps. There used to be a bar in the restaurant area, but since it got changed round there isn't anymore. You have to go through to the pub area and the atmosphere changes. It is very smoky in the pub area and the people although friendly tend to be less sociable. It seems a different class of people go to the restaurant. The pub seems to attract people that just want to drink. I often don't like to walk through the pub, but it is the only way out and sometimes when the football is on it is difficult to move for the people. The pub tends to be quite noisy and boisterous.

Toilet Facilities
There is a disabled access and toilet facility though the disabled toilets are shared with the baby changing facilities. I didn't think this was a good idea as there are usually a lot of families so if a disabled person needs the toilet then they have to wait. The baby changing facilities feature a pull down changing mat with a belt you can fasten whilst you use the toilet. This stops your baby falling on the floor. There are also bins to throw nappies into. There are no free nappies or nappy bags you have to bring your own. I would have thought that they could have used some money and put changing facilities in with the ladies or men's toilets.

The toilets are usually kept very clean with a good stock of toilet paper, hot water and soap.

To sum the Squirrel up I would say that you get value for money. Good quality of food and high standards of service. It also has other options from the menu if you don't want the carvery so there are lots to choose from. The atmosphere is good and very friendly. It is a none smoking restaurant, which is good because you can enjoy your food without the smoke. Sorry to all the smokers out there! Cleanliness is good. The toilets are always very clean and the tables are wiped though in busy periods I have been when the table had still plates on and had to remind the staff to clear it away for us. It is family friendly because they have baby changing facilities as well as high chair and they will warm the bottle for you. All in all if you go to the squirrel I think you will not go far wrong. I always find the same high level of consistency. So go and feed the squirrel!