📍 23 Main Street, Ratby, Leicester LE6 0LN, United Kingdom
📍 Address: 23 Main Street, Ratby, Leicester LE6 0LN, United Kingdom
📞 Phone: +44 116 239 3256
🌐 Website: thebullsheadratby.co.uk
The Bull is a stalwart in the pub world. People rave about it. Trouble is competition is heavy these days. And to be honest whilst everything was nice and you won’t be unhappy. It wasn’t anything you can’t get in a load of other places. Rarely to places “stand out” these days. Sadly my old local certainly didn’t. Shame.
We had our work Christmas lunch, being such a large party we figured there would be waiting etc but we were pleased to get all our courses in a timely manner and not rushed. All the food was fresh and hot which again is very difficult to achieve in large numbers. The staff were super friendly and helpful, a real credit to the pub.
Ohh dear such a shame this pub which was always excellent for food has taken a nose dive and I hope it's just a blip ! We had booked a table for a family meal for Christmas - the only time we get together each year - 16 of us. We arrived on time for a 3pm meal and unusually the pub and carpark was almost empty so that seemed strange - however it was not strange given our experience this weekend. Firstly the pro's - The pub was clean, warm and we were put into the skittle alley which is used as a function room - it was perfect for us and again was warm, had Christmas music on and a Christmas tree. But sadly that's where it all ends..... The table was booked for 3pm meal with all food pre-ordered and the vast majority of the starters were cold - apart from an odd soup and a couple of fried chicken tenders. At 4.15pm - no one had been in the room to take any drinks orders and the starters had not arrived ! I chased this and at about 4.45 we got the starters !! How is this timing possible when the pub was nearly empty and we had pre-ordered. Was it worth the wait .....No the prawn cocktail was awful- chewy small prawns in a cheap sauce (definitely no Dill which was mentioned on the menu), no lemon slice and some white cheap bread which had seemed to be sat under a heat lamp and had got dry and crusted ! The people who had chicken tenders said they were good ( one saving grace) the pate wasn't much better ! The main course finally came out along with some Christmas Crackers which they had forgotten to put on the table. I cannot fathom how a chef was not embarrassed to send those dinners out !!! I use the term "chef" very loosely here !! I have never ever had such a bad roast dinner serve up. The roast potatoes looked and tasted like boiled pototoes - no colour at all and still hard as was the parsnip. The meat was somehow crispy and burnt, the pigs in blankets were grey, there was literally no saving grace on these plates and others who had linguini didn't fare much better. At this point I was fuming and spoke to the manager/landlady who was very upset, apologetic and offered the complete meal for free and we only paid for the drinks (which we'd got ourselves from the bar anyway). I took my meal back and handed it to the "chef" and explained how to cook. We had been there over 2 hours so that meal could have been cooked from scratch in plenty of time so there was no excuse for uncooked potatoes etc. As most meals went back - (some had eaten some due to being starving) we did have puddings brought out sporadically as they were microwaved and individually brought out. Honestly words failed me at that point. The manager/landlady explained that she had only just taken over in the pub and was clearly getting upset so I backed off a little....until..... I stated that the pub had ruined what was our only time once a year we travel and all get together - The fact that the food was "free" did not compensate for a ruined day. We would have much rather had a good meal and paid the £30 each for it and had a great day, rather than a ruined meal, no festive touches on the table (until a member of staff realised!) and a wasted journey for many of us. When I brought this to the attention of her she said that it was her birthday that day, she only has one a year and we had ruined that as she had to come in ( and manage the pub and staff I'm guessing). She works in the hospitality trade and whilst you do need days' off don't do it when you know your staff can't cope. It's such a shame as it was a gem of a pub with great reputation for food - well it's left a sour taste in our mouths (and probably her's too after a ruined birthday!) Good luck if you've booked here for Christmas Day and I hope it's lesson's learned for the "chef" in how to cook !
Gone seriously downhill. Sunday dinner used to be excellent now very poor. First set of roast beef dinners sent back (cold). Second set one slice of tough beef, 2 very small roast potatoes, one roast carrot and one parsnip, half a spoon of mashed potatoes and the yorkshire pudding half the size it used to be and last but not least a very small square of overcooked stuffing. The extras were very good. Service very hectic and disjointed. Some food out - no vegetables or cutlery. As we all pre-ordred our food this was not good. Was told struggling to get new suppliers (not my problem).
A real treat. This place is a bit pricy but for a special treat it’s worth a visit. It’s clear that all meals are cooked from scratch which whilst this makes the wait a little longer also makes the meals delicious. The mixed fish platter was amazing, ham and eggs lovely although too much ham even for a big eater. The kids burger and chips is almost identical to the adult version but at half the price - order the kids one. Expect greatness but expect to pay for it.
Booked Snug room at Bulls Head, Ratby for family celebration meal. Room was lovely and cosy with plenty of room for 11 diners plus 3 dogs. The staff looked after us brilliantly. Food excellent. Thanks to all the team. Janine & Nigel
Lovely welcoming staff on entry , very polite and courteous always have a smile . Food is well presented and hot . Can recommend the falafel with mint dip. I attended the medium evening that was a fantastic night. Looking forward to the next.
Visited Leicester to meet up with family and they decided to go to The Bulls Head. It was my first time and I was very impressed with the pub and in particular the staff who were very accommodating and polite from the moment we walked in. They could have closed at 10pm as we were the only ones left in the bar but the lady behind the bar said we were buying drinks and supporting the pub so she was more than happy to keep serving us and allow us the time and space to have our family catch up. Very nice lady and a lovely pub. Highly recommended.
Great place and atmosphere, very good food with generous serving, and excellent service. Just perfect!
Excellent food and great service. Highly recommended.
The Bulls Head is located at 23 Main Street, Ratby, Leicester LE6 0LN, United Kingdom
You can contact The Bulls Head at +44 116 239 3256
You can find directions to The Bulls Head by following this map link
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