We popped in here for a Sunday lunch and had a fine lamb shank at a good price. Not a Michelin, but good standard pub fare. The service was friendly and the atmosphere warm, if a bit noisy.
I have been to the Volunteer from time to time over the yeas and I can say that over the past few years it has delivered a consistent high standard. The food is always excellent, great portion sizes and at a surprisingly reasonable price for today's economy. I have never had a bad meal and have never left hungry. They have a varied selection of drinks and friendly service. There isn't much parking, but it is a short walk from Theale station. Saying that many live in walking distance and there has always been a space to park when I have been there. Failing that there is parking available nearby. It can get loud at times especially if they have live music, but that is usually later in the evening so you can still have a conversation over dinner / lunch etc. Highly recommend.
An excellent place which serves very good tasty pub food. It's hot, not warm which is always good. Fish and chips and homemade beef chilli were our choices and we were not disappointed. Able to book a table without any issues online. The staff were very welcoming. Well worth a visit. Would return.
Stepping into The Volunteer in Theale is like finding an oasis of camaraderie and charm. With each pint poured, the frothy brew promises a taste of local tradition, perfectly chilled and brimming with flavor. The atmosphere buzzes with friendly banter, a testament to the pub's warm and welcoming spirit. It's a place where every visit feels like a celebration, and every pint raises the bar for excellence. Truly, The Volunteer stands out as a five-star experience for any ale enthusiast.
The Volunteer is a traditional pub in the heart of Theale, Berkshire. It has a warm and inviting atmosphere, with exposed brickwork and a traditional fireplace. The menu features a wide variety of pub classics, as well as some more modern dishes. We started our meal with sticky pigs in blankets. These were perfectly cooked and the sausages were juicy and flavorful. For our main courses, I had the chicken curry and my partner had the steak and ale pie. Both dishes were delicious. The chicken curry was rich and flavorful, and the steak and ale pie was hearty and filling. The service at The Volunteer was excellent. Our server was friendly and attentive, and he made sure that we had everything we needed. We also enjoyed the selection of beers on tap. Overall, we had a great experience at The Volunteer. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. We would definitely recommend this pub to anyone looking for a great meal in Theale. Here are some additional details about the dishes we ordered: * Sticky pigs in blankets: These were made with pork sausages wrapped in bacon and cooked until golden brown. * Chicken curry: This was a rich and flavorful curry made with chicken, onions, peppers, and spices. It was served with rice and naan bread. * Steak and ale pie: This was a hearty and filling pie made with steak, onions, mushrooms, and ale. It was served with fries and peas. Polly our waitress was very friendly and helpful, she is a credit to the pub. Great atmosphere.
Specifies, modern interior. Family and dog friendly. Quick service, considering how busy it was, which is also a good sign.
Good atmosphere "local". The London Pride was excellent and clearly well kept ales is a feature of this pub. First time we've been back since the Pandemic, it definitely won't be the last!!
Nice service. Average food. Poor cider choices.
Great place, kind staff. Great hamburger. We recommend and definitely will come back
super good food and really nice setting inside! Glad to have found such a nice pub nearby. Great pints and the staff are always so friendly
The Volunteer is located at The Volunteer, Church St, Theale, Reading RG7 5BX, UK
You can contact The Volunteer at +44 118 930 2917
You can find directions to The Volunteer by following this map link